Kiln Setters - How to prevent ceramic pieces to stick to the kiln shelf?
The low tech solution that works!
It took me many years to finally come up with a simple solution. As so often is was a matter of dire need when one day I did not have enough kiln setters to complete the kiln I came up with the following:
Roll out a thin sheet ca 2-3 mm thick of fire clay best using some distance holders or simply guess it.
Rolling out thin sheet of high fire clay 2-3 mm thick
Then sprinkle generously Aluminiumoxide (calculated Alumina) on each side, roll it in with a rolling pin and gently shake off the rest.
Sprinkling calculated Aluminum onto thin sheet of high fire clay.
Cut with a knife the entire slab into 0.5x1.0cm pieces or whatever suit you best.
After cutting kiln setters are ready to go! Glue them onto your pieces.
These pieces can be used immediately or let to dry for the next firing. Use some white wood glue (Elmers glue), available in any hardware store and glue them to the foot of your pieces. After the firing it will come off very easily.
Big advantage with these setter is that they
- use very little space in the kiln
- you can make hundreds in 10-15 minutes
- are very cheap
- can be used fresh or dry so you can keep them forever
- come off the piece easily
- keep the piece absolutely level which means no warping
- needs no messing with mixing different ingredients or high tech abilities