Technical stuff with kiln paper.

For a very long time I have been using the thin fire kiln paper that I buy from Warm Glass. One day last week , I did the same thing I do every day when loading my kiln. I clean it all out, usually with the hoover to make sure there is no dirt or dust in there. Then I carefully cut out my kiln paper to fit the shelf , lay it in the kiln then lay my pieces of glass to be fused on top then close the lid, programme it and let it get on with fusing my glass. 

Except that last week it was 30 mins into fusing and the smell of burning seemed to be stronger than usual coming from the kiln. I decided to open the kiln and see what was going on. To my complete surprise I saw the kiln paper had turned brown. I thought it was going to burn up so I switched the kiln off and wondered what I had done wrong. 

I decided to put an image of the inside of the kiln on Fused Glass Enthusiasts Facebook Page and ask for help and ask  "Where did I go wrong". I got some great feedback and was told that this happens in the early stages of firing. Apparently it is the binders burning off and once that happens the paper returns to the colour white. But I tell you, I was a bit ashamed that after years of using this paper I hadn't realised this is what happens to it. 

It is really great to be a member of these kind of groups. As I have mentioned, I am a member of Fused Glass Enthusiasts, Fused Glass Fanatics, (this one is American and I have never actually posted anything on their sight as they sometimes seem abit "full on") and Glass Artists Exchange. They are great for advice and feedback. They have lots of links to other organisations that might help you, so don't be frightened to join up.

Kiln paper turns brown in the early stages of firing as kiln paper burns off.

Kiln paper returns to white as firing is completed.