電気炉
empty firing
Japanese: 空焚き
Firing the kiln without any pieces inside. This is used for breaking in the kiln, checking temperatures, and measuring the cooling rate.
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An empty firing is a process in which an electric kiln is fired at high temperatures without any pieces inside. It is primarily performed for the following purposes: (1) initial firing of new kilns or shelf boards (to stabilize the material and remove impurities and moisture); (2) cleaning the interior of the kiln after prolonged use (to burn off and remove organic matter); and (3) baking on kiln wash.
Applying a release agent to new shelf plates and then curing it through an empty firing prevents the glass from sticking to the shelf plates during subsequent glass firing. It is important to allow the shelf to cool completely after the dry-firing before proceeding to the next firing. Additionally, periodic dry-firing of the kiln helps extend its service life and ensures consistent firing quality.
This entry is written in Japanese by Rei Chikaoka and translated for readers outside Japan. If something reads oddly, the original is the source of truth.