Stress

[offcntr]

This kiln is giving me stress.

I don't realize it, while I'm making pots, bisquing pots, glazing them. It starts when I'm loading the kiln, trying to guess where the bad spots will be this time, deciding which pots will be sacrificial, probably un-sellable, but needed to fill the empty spots, because without the thermal mass, things will be even more unpredictable. Trying to be sure that special orders are near the top, near the back, even if it means they'll be over-reduced and I'll have to refire them in the electric kiln. Thinking longingly of my days back at the Craft Center, where the glaze was always the perfect cream-with-speckles, not dead-white or overly brown. I realize that I'm beginning to dread firing.

I spent a good bit of time trying to knock the bugger back into shape, and it seemed to have helped: it fired evenly, with a minimal adjustment of the damper. Still some oxidation in the bottom front, but most of the space was filled with work for Empty Bowls. (Who knows when that will happen again?) Top and back had some pretty dark pots, enough for nearly a full (electric) kiln's refiring, including five commissioned bowls. But other than that, it was a pretty good firing. 66 units of gas, which is dead average. Still took nearly two hours to drop the final cone, but I think I may have an answer for that, and one that may address the over-reduction.

But damn, I wish I didn't get so anxious every time I light the burners.