The electric kilns at IUS Ceramics are used for bisquing, low-fire glazing, and cone 6 oxidation.  Never fire an electric kiln hotter than cone 6, it is really bad for the elements in the kiln and will degrade the kiln quickly.   

Loading/Stacking

• Unless you have extenuating circumstances, always fire a full a full kiln, so make sure you have enough work to fill the kiln.  
• If it is a bisque kiln, always make sure the work is bone dry.  If it is cool to the touch, it is not bone dry.
• Handle the work VERY carefully.  USE TWO HANDS when picking up bone dry work!
• The bottom of each electric kiln should have two shelves already placed in the kiln with 1” posts between them on the floor of of the kiln.  This maintains proper circulation in the kiln.
• In a bisque firing, work can touch each other, but never the walls of the kiln or the elements.
• In a low-fire glaze firing, all the work must be fired on a patty and be stilted if necessary.  

Loading a bisque kiln is a fairly simple task, but there are some basic rules. Fire full loads to take advantage of conduction heating and also save electricity. All work should be bone dry . If the work is cool or cold to the touch, it is not bone dry. Handle all work very carefully because it is extremely fragile at this stage. Place the bottom shelf on 1-inch stilts to aid in air circulation, and keep ware 1 inch away from elements, walls, thermocouple and KilnSitter (figure 6). Unglazed pieces may touch each other. Fire to cone 08-05, depending on the type of clay and amount of porosity you want for glazing.