Bisque Firing                                         Back to Art Home                                                                  back to ceramics

Once your clay is bone dry it is called greenware.   Greenware (unfired clay) is bisque fired to make a ceramic piece that can be glazed.  Be sure the pieces are completely dry before firing (~1 ½ to 2 weeks after wet clay lesson). Water turns to steam at 212 degrees F. If water is still in the clay project it could explode when kiln reaches that temperature.

Bisque Fire loading Tips:

• Pieces can be loaded directly onto the shelves of the kiln. 
• Position the risers for the shelves before you begin to load your items 
  and then place ceramic art projects around them. 
• Add shelves, position the next set of risers and continue to load in that manner. Staggering the heights of the shelves will allow for better airflow around the pieces. 
• Greenware can be carefully stacked or nested if space is an issue. 
• Shelves are treated and protected with kiln wash. It is very important that all items placed on the shelves are on the treated side.
• If the student’s initials are not carved on their pieces but are on a labeled plate or paper, you can make a “kiln map” as you load to keep track. Upon unloading, use the map guide to just replace the piece to its labeled plate.

Turning on the Kiln for Bisque Firing

There is a switch on the kiln room wall that controls the exhaust fan be sure the switch is set on or the kiln can overheat.