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.

3 comments

3 Comments

taras352mo ago

What kind of kiln are you using? I was a total stickler for programmed cooling for YEARS, convinced it was the only safe way. Then I got lazy with a batch of really chunky planters and just let the whole thing cool in the shut-off kiln. Every single one came out perfect, and I've been questioning all my old rules since.

kevin2181mo ago

Mrs. Jenkins had you shut it off Friday and leave it until Monday? That's three full days just sitting there cooling down. I can't even imagine leaving a kiln full of work untouched over a whole weekend, the anxiety would kill me. My brain is so wired to babysit the cooling cycle, hearing that feels like breaking a law. It makes me wonder how many other old-school rules I follow are just a waste of time.

finleyl552mo ago

Mrs. Jenkins, my first ceramics teacher, swore by natural cooling. She had us shut off the kiln every Friday and leave it until Monday. Never saw a crack in her decades of teaching.