Firing Services

Details: We offer firing services as a routine, standard service and are happy to help with bisque firing to cone 06 as well as glaze firing to cone 6. Access to cone 10 firing is only available through our Cone 10 soda firing options. The majority of our work for both glaze and bisque is fired in the gas kiln. 

• Partial Kiln Load: $10 per square foot under 8 inches tall for either bisque or glaze. As the studio has primarily transitioned to gas reduction firing, there may be a delay in how long it takes to fire individual items to cone 6 in the electric kiln. 
  • All delivered work must be at least close to bone dry for bisque. For glaze ware if you are using your own glazes, that must be applied prior to delivery.
  • BCS staff will load and unload all kilns. If your work is particularly fragile then you can schedule a time to partner with us to load.
  • Photo of the clay and glaze labels must be shown at the time of drop off to verify appropriate firing temperatures
  • Contact heather@burnishclaystudio.com to discuss pricing and options for taller pieces. 
• Full Kiln Load - Electric: $60 for either bisque or glaze in the  small round kiln (Mama Bear) or $80 for the large round kiln (Papa Bear) kiln.
• Glaze Add On: $15 per appointment - Use of shop glazes and time in the studio to apply glazes.
  • This service is only available for people with previous glazing experience. We will provide you an orientation of our glazing area, but instruction on how to apply glazes by dipping or pouring is not available. 
  • If you do not have glazing experience then I recommend you purchase commercial glazes with a firing temperature range of Cone 4-6 (NOT 04-06) which you can paint on at home and then bring in to be fired. Bring pictures of the glaze bottles showing the temperature range when you drop off your pieces so we can confirm the firing temperature. 
• Clay: A variety of Cone 6 or Cone 10 clay bodies can be purchased from Burnish, but you are not required to use our clays when renting kiln space. Purchase of clay from us for use outside of BCS does not include access to glazes or firings. 

• We can fire low-fire work in the bisque kiln, or with full kiln loads but results are not guaranteed without prior testing. 
• We DO NOT FIRE the following: glass, items stuffed with paper, metal, or any other non-clay items
• We expect your pieces to be constructed and glazed correctly. If your glaze runs onto the shelves you will be charged for shelf cleaning or a new kiln shelf.
• If your work blows up in the kiln and ruins other people’s work, you will be charged accordingly.

Electric Kilns
Currently at BCS we have:

• Papa Bear: Brand new 10 Cu Ft Skutt round kiln. The interior dimensions are 28 In wide x 27 In tall. 
• Mama Bear: 7 Cu Ft  Crucible brand round kiln. The interior dimensions are 23 In wide x 27 In tall. ​
• Baby Bear: Tiny test kiln, can fit maybe 3-4 mugs per firing. 

Gas Kilns
The main workhorse of the studio is the 40 cubic foot car kiln. We also have a 37 Cu Ft Soda Kiln! At this time, neither gas kiln is available to rent for a full load. Space is available only as a part of the studio firings. To request space in the next community soda firing, click here for more information. 

Drop Off / Pick Up Procedures:

• Full kiln loads of the electric kilns must be scheduled a minimum of 2 weeks in advance by emailing heather@burnishclaystudio.com.
• Partial kiln loads for the electric kilns or cone 6 reduction firings can be delivered during our retail hours of noon-6 Tuesday-Saturday. 
• Glaze Add On sessions must be scheduled in advance by emailing heather@burnishclaystudio.com and cannot be scheduled during a time that a class is in session.
  • This service is only available for people with previous glazing experience. We will provide you an orientation of our glazing area, but instruction on how to apply glazes by dipping or pouring is not available. 
  • If you do not have glazing experience then I recommend you purchase commercial glazes with a firing temperature range of Cone 4-6 (NOT 04-06) which you can paint on at home and then bring in to be fired. Bring pictures of the glaze bottles showing the temperature range when you drop off your pieces 
• You will unload all pieces onto our shelves and then all packing material must be taken away with you.
• You must bring your own packing material / boxes when picking up your completed work.
• Payment is due when dropping off work. 

Timing:

• Partial kiln load items will typically be fired within 2 weeks of delivery, except during the final week of classes when it may take up to 3 weeks. You will be told when you drop off when your pieces are expected to be ready, it is up to you to come back to check. Due to the volume of work we fire, we cannot keep track of individual pieces in order to provide notification of completion.
• Any items not picked up within 30 days of the completion will be considered abandoned, becomes property of studio and may be discarded or donated.