Electric Kilns for Ceramics: A Makers Guide to Successful Firing

A very good book for beginners. I have just bought my own kiln and am very new to the process. I found the instructions which came with my kiln quite limited and a bit difficult to understand at beginner level and needed something to break down and explain the process more easily so I can understand where I went wrong with my first firing. This book does that and I found answers to questions I couldnt find online and a lot of useful tips for getting it right. (I also bought the book 'mastering cone 6 glazes' which was mentioned by another reviewer on here but found that one too advanced for beginner level being more about making up glazes than the firing process although that will probably prove useful down the line). All in all, highly recommend.

Written from a maker's perspective this book provides an excellent practical resource on a wide breadth of kiln-related matters, including; kiln loading, understanding firing cycles, kiln maintenance, remedying firing faults, and valuable advice for purchasing a new kiln (and what to look out for when buying second hand). I particularly enjoyed the "maker profiles" throughout the book where the reader is given a glimpse into the studios of several professional ceramists to see how they use their kilns (set up, firing programs, etc), and the pragmatic/aesthetic considerations that went into these decisions. A great resource for the beginner looking to demystify the firing process or the more experience ceramist looking to build upon their relationship with their electric kilns.

Clear descriptions and explanations debunk a lot of the pitfalls of firing succinctly. As a studio potter and teacher I liked the inclusion of contemporary ceramic artists and their firing process. A particularly useful book for new studio potters but there are plenty of great tips for those with more experience. Highly recommend it!

Haven’t potted for a few years since moving so needed to update my firing skills, this was useful.

Lovely book that explains things well.

There is very little about how to fire successfuly. It is mostly about a generic descritpion of all the aspects surrounding a kiln and firing. There are very few kiln programs provided and I found quite annoying that the word BISQ was used to indicate BISQUE or BISCUIT firing. I returned the book and I will keep waiting for a good manual on successful firing. The best reading so far, about the topic and a lot of more, still remains the great "Mastering cone 6 glazes" by Hesselberth & Roy.

A beautifully written and illustrated, well researched book by a professional potter with many years' of experience firing and maintaining electric kilns. There are not many books available which delve into the details of how to choose and use an electric kiln that is right for one's work. This is the best I have come across. Also included are useful sections on firing faults and the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing second-hand versus new kilns. Along with firing schedule examples and ten profiles of expert makers, including the author, this is an essential guide for both functional and sculptural makers of all levels whose work involves the use of electric kilns. A must read for those looking to expand their knowledge further and those just starting out their ceramic journey.

I have just been given this book and am really pleased with it. It gives lots of practical advice and the information is very clear. It's just what I needed to gain some confidence with my firing.

For a beginner and newby kiln owner based in the US, the different vocabulary and the Celsius vs F made it too complicated to enjoy. My shortcoming, not the author's.

The author is from UK and makes no effort to put the conversions in for US readers.