Planned for the Friday but cancelled due to weather, I decided the Saturday looked better in the forecast. The decision was a good one and Saturday turned out to be clear and very warm.
I wanted/ needed to do this solo to increase my knowledge of the kiln. I needed to finish the firing before darkness for safety reasons. The sparks and flames highlighted against a dark sky may have alarmed my neighbours. To make this happen I needed to start very early with the gas flame as quietly as possible, two Saturn rockets going off at 4 am tends to annoy them, a moderate flame was the answer until a reasonable time, 9 am.
All went well and started to stoke wood at 10 am, there was hardly a breath of wind, the left hand firebox was reducing and needed large lumps the right hand box was getting the rise. It all went well until cone 9 went over with a slight bend on 10. Clammed up, firing over.
A very good firing with a very hot spot in the back left of the kiln, next time will be different of course as the conditions, packing, timber and weather will affect it
Some of the results
Whitecroft Pottery 