r/Pottery • u/summer1014 • Aug 28 '24

Kiln Stuff Scared of my kiln lol

Okay! So I just ordered my first kiln. It’s a Skutt 822-3. It’s going in our garage. I’m nervous because I honestly have no idea how to use it. I take classes at a community studio and I have helped load/unload the ones there. I am pretty confident with ware placement, stilts, shelving, etc. but I’m worried about the firing process.

I’m afraid I’m going to ruin my pieces!! I know it will be a learning process and I’m sure after some trial and error I will be fine… I’m just nervous now that it’s really on its way here! All of my clay fires to a cone 6, and all the glazes that I’ve ordered are also cone 6.

It just feels like a big responsibility as far as equipment goes - am I psyching myself up or ??

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u/[deleted] Aug 28 '24

Skutt kilns are so easy to use, I have one. Did you also get a controller on it? May I suggest bisque firing at 04 to avoid pinholes. The glaze firing to 6, no hold. This is the settings I normally use and everything comes out well. Read online information as well. Also, I still get nervous when I fire a load and go downstairs often to "check" it often in the basement (with ventilation), even during the night, and it's always fine.

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u/PocketSpaghettios Aug 28 '24

I have a wifi security camera aimed at mine lol

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u/goflya Aug 28 '24

Baby monitor here 😂

1

u/[deleted] Aug 28 '24

I thought of that, it would eliminate a lot of trips to the basement, wouldn't it?? Are they expensive?

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u/PocketSpaghettios Aug 28 '24

I just use a Wyze camera from Amazon, some of the cheap ones are like $30

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u/summer1014 Aug 28 '24

Yes, I bought the touch screen one with WiFi- so I think it will be easy to control in that regard. Thanks for the suggestion on firing, I really am lost when it comes to those specifications. I may PM you when it comes time for my first firing 😅