Our Kiln Schedule, Booking & Processes

2. Firing Schedule

This schedule is a general guide and may be amended.

Firings may be postponed until the kiln is full, for sustainability and cost efficiency.

All work must be labelled and placed correctly, as set out in below guidance, the day before the firing.

A live calendar is available here showing all firings, including any changes.

2.1. Technician Area Firings

• Tuesdays

  • Kiln 3 (New Large) — Bisque

• Sundays

  • Kiln 3 (New Large) — Stoneware

  • Kiln 4 (Toploader) — Earthenware

  • NOTE: On the first Sunday of each month, Kiln 4 is reserved for class work.
    

2.2. Independent & Supported Firing Availability

• Kiln 1 (Small)

  • Bookable on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

  • Approx. 48‑hour firing cycle

  • A one‑day cooling gap is required before the next booking. ie. if you book on a Wednesday, it can’t be booked again until the Friday

  • Kiln 1 (Small) and Kiln 3 (New Large) share a power source and cannot be fire concurrantly. Kiln 3 (New Large) and Kiln 1 (Small) should be fired on alternate days.

• Kiln 3 (New Large)

  • Supported Firings Only

  • Bookable on a Thursday or a Friday each week

  • Approx. 48-hour firing cycle

  • A one‑day cooling gap is required before the next booking. ie. if you book on a Thursday, it can’t be booked on a Friday that same week

  • Kiln 1 (Small) and Kiln 3 (New Large) share a power source and cannot be fire concurrantly. Kiln 3 (New Large) and Kiln 1 (Small) should be fired on alternate days.

• Kiln 4 (Toploader)

  • Bookable every Tuesday–Saturday

  • Approx. 24‑hour firing cycle

  • Consecutive bookings allowed

  • Depending on programme timing, another member may unload your work

3. Firing Fees & Charges

5. Preparation & Procedures by Firing Type

5.1 Technician Area Firings

Preparation Process

• Take an empty small tray from the foyer

• Fill with your work

• Complete the correct coloured slip:

  • Green — Bisque

  • Red — Stoneware

  • Blue — Earthenware

• Pay by:

  • Scanning the QR code on your form

  • Visiting the Member’s Shop

  • Using the embedded products below

• Place your tray on the next available shelf slot

• Each tray must have its own form/slip
  

Collection Process

• When the kiln is loaded, photos of the firing slips will be posted in the WhatsApp Ceramics Member Chat.

• When the kiln is emptied, photos of the fired work will be posted in the same chat.

• Work is placed in foyer in wide collection trays.

• Please collect within one week; uncollected work may be recycled.

5.2 Supported (Full Kiln) Firings

Preparation Process

• Take a small tray

• Fill with your work

• Complete a WHITE Independent & Supported Firings form

• Pay by either:

  • Scanning the QR code on your form

  • Using the embedded products below

  • (Supported firings cannot be paid for via the Member’s Shop)

• Attach the form

• Place trays on the Supported & Independent Firings shelves

• Each tray must have its own form

• Rules

  • Work may stay in this area for one week only before or after your booked slot

  • Only the booked member may load/unload and liaise with the team

  • Shared firings require each participant to complete a white form and payment
    

5.3 Independent Firings

• Eligibility

  • For fully kiln‑inducted members only.

• Preparation

  • Follow the above process for Supported Firings.

• Shared Firings

  • Each member must complete their own white form and payment.

• Independent Member Responsibilities

  • Start Deadline

    • All independent firings must start by 12 noon.

    • Late starts may result in the kiln being switched off.

  • Unloading

    • You must unload promptly

    • Staff unloading due to delay incurs a fee

    • Kilns may only be opened below 70°C

    • Kilns must be fully unloaded by midday the next day (if below 70°C)

  • Bunging

    • Bisque: 600°C

    • Glaze: 300-600°C

    • Late bunging causes extra wear and incurs penalties

    • Remote bunging available for Kiln 4 (New Large)

    • No bung required for top loader

  • Monitoring

    • You must monitor the firing throughout

    • Report issues immediately

    • Unmonitored firings causing extended run times may incur repair fees

  • Kiln Cam Access

    • Request access via WhatsApp Enquiries & Information

    • Visit home.google.com

    • Log in to the Makerspace kiln account with the details provided by a member of the Makerspace team.

    • Wait for 2FA approval

  • Kiln Performance

    • Kilns naturally slow near peak temperatures and as elements age. Always build extra time into your programme.

  • Safety

    • Do not open kilns above 70°C

    • Only kiln‑inducted members may access control gear

  • Packing & Damage

    • You are responsible for safe packing

    • Damage to shelves, thermocouples, or kiln interiors must be paid for

    • If firing someone else’s work, you accept responsibility for any damage their work causes

6. Penalties & Three‑Strike System

6.1 Compliance

• We operate a three‑strike system. After three breaches, members lose kiln access.

6.2 Fees & Surcharges

• Fees may apply for:

  • Damage to shelves or kiln interior

  • Incorrect or late bunging

  • Staff unloading your kiln

  • Repairs needed due to poor monitoring or programming

• Fees must be paid via the Member’s Shop.

7. Paying for Your Firing / Booking

7.1 Technician Firings

• QR code on your form

• Member’s Shop

7.2. Independent & Supported Firings

• QR code on your form

• Embedded products below

• (Not payable via the Member’s Shop)