Soda Firing Checklist

We unloaded a nice firing on Sunday, the best out of the soda kiln yet, except for one little kiln bomb which did some damage. I find that there is so much preparation to the firing that I always forget something, so I made up this checklist to keep things orderly:

Checklist for Soda Firing:

♦ Soda Mix
♦ Wadding
♦ In little balls?
♦ Door Mud
♦ Slurry
♦ Newspaper
♦ Cone Packs
♦ Extension Cords
♦ Clip-on lights
♦ Towels
♦ Sponges
♦ Water Bucket
♦ Touch up Glaze /Cups & Brushes

Additionally, I made a list of all the things that need to be mixed prior to the firing, so I won't be scrambling around for that envelope flap or Seven-Eleven receipt that I wrote the kiln wash proportions on. Eventually all this will be old hat, but I'm not there yet.

Recipes:

Wadding
3# Silica
3# Alumina
2# Medium Grog

Soda Mix
¼ bucket of wood chips
2 ¼ lbs Baking Soda
1 ¾ lbs Soda Ash
4 lbs whiting
Just before application, add water to the consistency of tuna salad.

Slurry
(For soaking newspapers to seal brick door)
Add water to the wet recycle bucket until it is the consistency of a milkshake' You'll have to keep adding water while you are applying the newspapers, as it will tend to thicken up.

Door Mud
50% Fire Clay
50% Alumina

Kiln Wash
50% Silica
50% Alumina
Water to the thickness of heavy cream

Cone Packs
Front pack: 012, 05, 3 & 6
Rear pack: 8, 9, 10, 11