When it comes to pottery, low-fire clay (also known as earthenware) is a popular choice. After all, low-fire clay is easy to work with and can be fired in most kilns. However, before getting started, it’s important to understand the firing temperature requirements of low-fire clay. Today, we’ll be sharing a Cone 06 firing schedule […]
When it comes to firing kilns, some of us had to learn the hard way! In fact, my absolute frustration with trying to figure out the controls for my glass studio kilns back in the day led us to create the TAP Kiln Controller. But programming the right firing schedule is just a small fraction […]
Owning a kiln is a little bit like owning a car. With mindful operation and a little bit of routine maintenance, your kiln should last for decades! Proper kiln maintenance ensures your kiln remains safe and operational during that time. The good news is that kiln maintenance is much simpler (and less expensive!) than maintaining […]
When it comes to firing ceramics, different types of clays and glazes are rated for different temperatures. A kiln firing chart, also known as a cone firing chart, is a useful tool for understanding the effects of temperature on different types of clays and glazes, as well as determining what firing schedule setpoints should be […]
In 2025, a meeting with a kiln manufacturer gave us an idea: We could make ceramic firing faster and easier than ever before. This is the story of TAP II Pro’s exclusive Cone Fire Mode. Preset firing schedules aren’t anything new. In fact, other temperature controller manufacturers rely on preset schedules to compensate for the […]
For most artists, purchasing a kiln is a pretty big investment. Newer artists, especially, will probably have a lot of questions about what they’re getting into! How much do kilns cost? What about installation and kiln maintenance? Are kilns safe? What type of kiln is right for me? What kind of controller should I use […]
We spend a lot of time discussing the benefits of TAP Kiln Controllers for individual artists – but there are tons of benefits to using TAP to power your ceramic studio. In fact, my own experiences and frustrations owning a glass art studio were a big part of the inspiration behind the development of the […]
While there are some definite pros to using low-fire and mid-fire clays – like more workability, lower max kiln temperature requirements, and prolonging kiln element life – sometimes you need the unique qualities of high-fire clay. Firing porcelain to Cone 10 temperatures or higher leads to hard, waterproof wares that are durable, functional, resistant to […]
Does adding precise, remote temperature monitoring – that you can check from anywhere from your smartphone – sound complicated? In the past it might’ve been. But with TAP Monitor, you can add the most advanced remote digital pyrometer to your kiln in literal minutes. Even if you use a manual kiln or a less advanced […]
When it comes to mid-fire clay, Cone 6 is an extremely popular option. In fact, many ceramic kilns only fire up to Cone 6 temps as their maximum temperature. Why is this? Cone 6 pottery has many of the benefits of higher fire clays with significantly lower electrical power requirements and firing costs – making […]