Caution from my workspace: Letting pieces cool naturally might not be as bad as they say
I hear a lot of talk about how you must use a controlled kiln cycle for every piece, but in my experience, that's not always true. When I started, I followed that rule and still had cracks in my thicker work. So, I tried just shutting the kiln off and leaving the door cracked overnight. For my solid sculptures, this method has never failed me over the past year. I know it goes against common advice, but it saves time and energy without sacrificing quality. Most folks in my circle disagree, saying it's too risky, but I've seen better results with patience. If you're making heavy items, consider testing a slow, natural cool down before assuming you need fancy settings.