Pottery Kiln

Once the pottery clay has been molded, it is ready to be fired. This is done in a pottery kiln. A pottery kiln is an oven whose temperature is controlled to achieve a desired effect. The final characteristics of the piece of pottery depend on the temperature at which it is fired. Once fired, the clay objects become hard. The heat in the pottery kiln causes the clay particles to become semi-solid and flow into each other, creating a single mass. Once fired and cooled, the ceramic is glazed , painted or adorned in any other manner.

There are different types of kilns used for firing pottery. Some of these are:

The Traditional Kiln

This is no more than a trench dug in the earth, and filled with pots and fuel.

Top-Hat Kiln

In this pottery kiln, the pottery is placed on a hearth, and a cover is lowered over it. The pottery is then fired and allowed to cool.

Bottle Kiln

This is a coal-fired kiln. It is surrounded by a brick cone.

Anagama Kiln

This potter's kiln is an ancient kiln of Japan. It is basically a long tunnel that has a firing box at one end and a chimney of sorts at the other.

Electric Kilns

These are pottery kilns that are fairly easy to use. They maybe front loading or top loading. The latter could be sectional or a single piece kiln. They come in various shapes to suit the potter's needs; also with various heights and cross-sections. And with different controls. They often have a safety vent.

Industrial Pottery Kilns

These mostly use natural gas. They have sophisticated temperature and rateof-cooling controls.

Microwave Kilns