Pottery kiln firing schedule builder
Pick a cone, choose bisque or glaze, and set the speed. The builder lays out every ramp and hold and gives you a print-ready PDF to tape to the kiln. The peak temperature is read from the Orton cone chart, so the heat-work matches your final ramp rate.
This schedule is guidance, not a guarantee. Kilns, clays, and glazes vary. Always check your kiln and clay or glaze maker instructions, fire a witness cone, and adjust if the cone reads under or over. A wrong schedule can crack ware or stress a kiln.
Frequently asked questions
Which cones can I build a schedule for?
For bisque, the common low-fire cones 08, 06, 05, and 04. For glaze, low-fire 06 through 04 and mid-to-high-fire cones 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. These cover almost all studio earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain work. Every peak temperature is the Orton self-supporting cone equivalent.
What do slow, medium, and fast change?
They set the ramp rates, especially the final segment: about 80 F per hour for slow, 120 for medium, and 200 for fast over the last stretch. Slower firing gives more even heat and bends the cone at a slightly lower temperature; faster firing saves time but pushes the peak up. Bisque also uses slower early ramps than glaze.
Should I add a hold at the top?
Glaze schedules include a short hold by default to let the melt smooth out. For glossy glazes that pinhole, try the drop-and-hold option, which cools fast just below peak and soaks so bubbles burst and heal. Bisque firings usually need no top hold.
How long will the firing take?
The builder shows an estimated ramp time from room temperature to peak, plus holds. A slow bisque to cone 04 runs about 13 hours; a medium glaze to cone 6 runs roughly 8 hours. Cooling adds many more hours, and you should let the kiln cool on its own with the lid closed.