Expert: Leisha Hiester - 12/24/2009

Question
Hi Leisha,

My kiln became unplugged from the outlet during the high fire cycle and I did not notice until it was time to look in the peep hole to check the cone. What can I do now?  How do I salvage my load?  Do I redo all of it, low, then med and then high?  I have not opened it, just turned it all off....had to go somewhere.  When I get home, can I start it all over, or do I adjust the time on low and med?  I sure hope you don't tell me that I lost the whole load!

Thank you!
Marcia Gomez

Answer
Maria,

I've had this happen a few times. What will it hurt to re-fire? If you don't have terrific bubbles, you can also re-dip or re-brush glaze and try again.

I've also simply refired a few pieces I didn't like %26 2nd time around they were better. Potting is allot of re-potting. I've been doing this for over 30years and my lil pottery cemetery is now a large graveyard. Sometimes I walk through it just to recall all the remakes. They're great lessons. Resilience Marcia, resilience. "I can always remake it" is a good motto to adopt.

Best to you, Leisha