What temperature is pottery fired at? Firing schedules for bisque depend on what type of clay you’re firing. Different types of clay require different setpoints, or specific temperatures they need to reach during a bisque firing schedule.
Today, we’ll be sharing firing schedules for bisque for a variety of different types of clay. But before getting into specific firing schedules for bisque, it’s important to refresh a few key points.
What is a Bisque Firing?
Bisque firing is a firing that turns clays into ceramics. Before doing a bisque firing, clay should be mostly dried. During a bisque firing, the clay reaches a high enough temperature to vitrify (or become glass-like) and transform into ceramic. While raw clay is moist, moldable, and water-soluble, ‘bisqueware’ is hard, brittle, and won’t dissolve in water.
What is a Cone Rating?
In ceramics, the specific firing temperature a clay needs to reach to mature and become ceramic is measured in a cone rating. This measuring system dates back to the days of kiln sitters. Back then, the witness cones that propped up the sensing rod would droop over to ensure the kiln shut off when the appropriate amount of heat work was applied. Each of these witness cones were assigned a cone rating or number that corresponded to the temperature at which they’d melt.
Today, kiln sitters are largely outdated. But clays and glazes still have a cone rating, ranging from 022 to 14 (or 1112°F to 2552°F). When creating a firing schedule for bisque, you can use a kiln firing chart to determine the setpoint your kiln needs to reach.
What Temperature is Pottery Fired At?
Pottery is fired at different temperatures depending on what type of clay you’re using. There are three categories of clay:
- Low-Fire Clay (Cone 06 to Cone 1): Also known as earthenware, low-fire clay is typically fired between 1830°F and 2109°F.
- Mid-Fire Clay (Cone 4 to Cone 6): Mid-fire clay, usually stoneware, is typically fired between 2124°F and 2232°F.
- High-Fire Clay (Cone 10 to Cone 14): High-fire clay, usually porcelain, is typically fired between 2350°F and 2455°F.
However, these categories only represent the most common pottery firing temperatures. Overall, pottery firing temperatures can range from 1200°F to 3272°F, so make sure to pay attention to the type of clay you’re firing.
Firing Schedules for Bisque
Now that we understand the basics of firing schedules for bisque, we’ll be sharing a variety of bisque firing schedules for different types of clays. It’s important to note: The schedule’s setpoint will change if you alter the ramp rate – so if you need to adjust the ramp rate from the schedules below, make sure to look up the appropriate setpoint for that ramp rate.
Firing Schedule for Cone 06
Below is a bisque firing schedule for Cone 06, which is a common cone rating for low-fire clay:
- Step 1: 80°F/Hr to 250°F.
- Step 2: 200°F/Hr to 1000°F.
- Step 3: 100°F/Hr to 1100°F.
- Step 4: 180°F/Hr to 1695°F.
- Step 5: 80°F/Hr to 1832°F.
Firing Schedule for Cone 04
Below is a bisque firing schedule for Cone 04, another common cone rating for low-fire clay:
- Step 1: 80°F/Hr to 250°F.
- Step 2: 200°F/Hr to 1000°F.
- Step 3: 100°F/Hr to 1100°F.
- Step 4: 180°F/Hr to 1695°F.
- Step 5: 80°F/Hr to 1945°F.
Firing Schedule for Cone 6
Cone 6 is a common cone rating for mid-fire clay. Below is a bisque firing schedule for Cone 6:
- Step 1: 80°F/Hr to 250°F. Hold for 60 minutes.
- Step 2: 350°F/Hr to 2100°F
- Step 3: 108°F/Hr to 2200°F. Hold for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: 900°F/Hr to 2100°F. Hold for 30 minutes.
Schedule courtesy of Digital Fire. Check out their blog to understand possible modifications to this schedule.
Firing Schedule for Cone 10
Below is a bisque firing schedule for Cone 10, the start of the high-fire range:
- Step 1: 18°F/Hr to 250°F.
- Step 2: 90°F/Hr to 1022°F.
- Step 3: 180°F/Hr to 1800°F.
- Step 4: 90°F/Hr to 2372°F.
- Step 5: 900°F/Hr to 2272°F. Hold for 30 minutes.
Schedule courtesy of Digital Fire. Check out their blog to understand possible modifications to this schedule.
Firing Schedule for Cone 12
Below is a bisque firing schedule for Cone 12, another common high-fire clay:
- Step 1: 18°F/Hr to 250°F.
- Step 2: 90°F/Hr to 1022°F.
- Step 3: 180°F/Hr to 1800°F.
- Step 4: 90°F/Hr to 2400°F.
- Step 5: 900°F/Hr to 2300°F. Hold for 30 minutes.
Additional Firing Schedules for Glass and Heat Treat
While this blog specifically covers firing schedules for bisque, artists in other disciplines can find additional firing schedules for glass and heat treatment at Understanding Kiln Firing Schedules for Glass, Ceramics, Pottery, and Heat Treat.
Ceramic Kiln Controllers: Programming Ceramic Kilns
In order to execute a bisque firing schedule, you’ll need to program the ceramic kiln controller. There are a variety of types of kiln controllers that can execute bisque firing schedules. Some artists still use manual kiln controllers that require constant user intervention to progress segments. However, advanced programmable digital kiln controllers can execute the entire schedule – from beginning to end – automatically.
In addition to automatically executing firing schedules, TAP Kiln Controllers by SDS Industries have unique benefits for ceramic artists:
- Quickly and easily create firing schedules with intuitive, easy-to-use touchscreen controls.
- Enjoy the ability to save an infinite number of firing schedules, with custom names, so that you can consistently execute your firing schedules for different types of clays and processes.
- Experience the convenience and flexibility of being able to remotely monitor your firing schedules, receive push notification alerts in real-time, and remotely control your kiln via TAP Kiln Control Mobile.
Power Your Kiln with The Most Advanced Ceramic Kiln Controllers
Whether you’re bisque firing high-fire clays or low-fire clays (or anything in-between!), choosing the right kiln controller can help you execute your bisque firings with more ease, precision, and consistency.
The TAP and TAP II Controllers by SDS Industries provide users with intuitive touchscreen controls, PID-driven precision, and the ability to name, save, and access and unlimited number of firing schedules with an unlimited number of steps.
With integration to the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app, you will be able to monitor your projects in real-time, receive real-time alerts, and enjoy remote kiln control through your smartphone or tablet!
We invite you to explore our selection of programmable kiln controllers, standalones, and conversion kits on our online store. You can also purchase TAP Digital Controllers or TAP Controlled Kilns and Heat Treat Ovens through one of the following distributors:
