Temperature, Clay, & Glazes

Pyrometric Cones
How do potters know when a kiln has reached the desired temperature? How do they know what is happening to the glazes in the kiln as it fires? Pyrometric cones are the answer to these questions.

Heat Work
When firing pottery and ceramic objects, we tend to think in terms of temperature. That is only one factor, however, involved in maturing a clay body and glazes. Heat work is the real objective...the transfer of heat from the kiln's interior atmosphere to the pottery within it.

Firing Schedules and Ramps
Kilns are fired according to firing schedules, which include how long the kiln will be firing at a certain ramp, or rate of temperature gain.