Cone Rating for Glazes Explained: Low Fire Mid Fire High Fire
A glaze fired at the wrong cone rating does not look “close enough.” It looks wrong, feels wrong, and often fails completely. A cone 06 glaze (low fire) fired to cone 6 (mid fire) does not become a brighter version of itself. It runs off the pot, pools on the kiln shelf, and ruins both the piece and the furniture beneath it.
This guide covers every glaze cone rating category: low fire (cone 06-04), mid fire (cone 5-6), and high fire (cone 9-10). You will learn exact firing temperatures, clay body compatibility rules, kiln atmosphere requirements, food safety status for each range, and the chemistry that makes each category behave differently.
By the Numbers
Cone Rating for Glazes — Key Specifications
Sources: Orton Foundation, Mastering Cone 6 Glazes (Hesselberth & Roy), Clay and Glazes for the Potter (Rhodes)
What Is a Pyrometric Cone and What Does “Cone Rating” Actually Measure?
A pyrometric cone is a small ceramic pyramid formulated to bend at a specific temperature when heated at a controlled rate. The cone rating on a glaze label (cone 06, cone 6, cone 10) is not a simple temperature setting. It is a measurement of heat work, which combines temperature plus time in the kiln.
This distinction matters because glaze melting depends on both peak temperature and the duration of heat exposure. A kiln that reaches 2,232°F (1,222°C) in 6 hours delivers less heat work than a kiln that takes 10 hours to reach the same peak. The longer firing melts the glaze more completely even though the final temperature is identical.
According to the Orton Foundation’s pyrometric cone documentation, a cone 6 rated to bend at 2,232°F (1,222°C) at a 270°F per hour heating rate will bend at approximately 2,185°F (1,196°C) if heated at 108°F per hour. The slower ramp rate gives the cone more time to absorb heat, so it bends at a lower peak temperature.
In plain terms: a cone number measures how much heat energy the glaze received, not just how hot the kiln got. Two kilns can both display 2,232°F on the pyrometer and produce completely different glaze surfaces if their firing speeds differed.
Commercial glaze manufacturers like Amaco Potters Choice cone 6 glazes formulate their products to melt correctly at the standard Orton cone 6 benchmark. They assume a medium firing rate in an electric kiln with an electronic controller. If your kiln fires faster or slower than the standard rate, the cone number on the label will not match the heat work your kiln delivers.
Using Orton witness cones placed at multiple shelf levels is the only way to verify actual heat work. Electronic controllers drift over time. Thermocouples degrade. The cone number on the screen is only an approximation of what happened inside the kiln.
What Are the Three Glaze Firing Ranges?
The three glaze firing ranges are low fire (cone 06-04, approximately 1,830°F to 1,940°F / 999°C to 1,060°C), mid fire (cone 5-6, approximately 2,167°F to 2,232°F / 1,186°C to 1,222°C), and high fire (cone 9-10, approximately 2,300°F to 2,381°F / 1,260°C to 1,305°C). Each range represents a fundamentally different chemical system with distinct flux materials, surface qualities, and functional properties.
A low fire glaze cannot perform like a mid fire glaze simply by firing it hotter. The flux system that melts a glaze at cone 06 (lead, boron, or high-alkali frits) becomes overactive at cone 6 temperatures. The glaze turns to liquid, runs off the pot, and dissolves the kiln shelf. The cone rating is a chemical identity, not a preference setting.
Use the table below to match your kiln type, clay body, and intended use to the correct glaze cone rating before purchasing or mixing materials.
| Feature | Low Fire (Cone 06-04) | Mid Fire (Cone 5-6) | High Fire (Cone 9-10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firing temperature | 1,830°F-1,940°F (999°C-1,060°C) | 2,167°F-2,232°F (1,186°C-1,222°C) | 2,300°F-2,381°F (1,260°C-1,305°C) |
| Compatible kiln type | Electric only | Electric (oxidation) or gas (reduction) | Gas, wood, or high-temp electric |
| Compatible clay body | Earthenware, terra cotta | Stoneware, mid-fire porcelain | Stoneware, high-fire porcelain |
| Clay absorption after firing | Above 3% (porous body) | Under 2% (near-vitrified) | Under 1% (fully vitrified) |
| Food safety status | Conditional (requires certified food-safe glaze on intact surface) | Yes (with lead-free commercial glazes on vitrified body) | Yes (with proper glaze fit and lead-free materials) |
| Color range capability | Brightest colors, widest palette | Good range, some colors muted | Muted earth tones, limited brights |
| Primary flux system | Boron frits, lead bisilicate, high alkali | Calcium, magnesium, zinc, feldspar | Feldspar, whiting, dolomite |
| Best use case | Decorative ware, colorful sculpture, classroom settings | Functional dinnerware, studio pottery, most versatile range | Reduction-fired stoneware, porcelain, gas kiln traditions |
For most home studio potters working with an electric kiln, mid fire (cone 5-6) glazes on a vitrified stoneware body give the best combination of food safety, color range, and firing reliability without requiring chemistry knowledge or gas kiln equipment.
Low Fire Glazes (Cone 06-04): Bright Colors at Lower Temperatures
Low fire glazes mature between cone 06 (1,830°F / 999°C) and cone 04 (1,940°F / 1,060°C). These glazes use boron-based frits, lead bisilicate compounds, or high-alkali formulations as their primary flux materials. The low melting point allows bright, saturated colors that mid fire and high fire cannot match.
This happens because colorant oxides like copper, cobalt, and chrome remain as distinct color-producing particles in the glass matrix at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, these same oxides partially dissolve into the melt and produce muted, earthy tones. Low fire glazes preserve the raw chroma of each colorant.
This bright color advantage only holds when the glaze is applied to a porous earthenware body fired to the correct bisque temperature (typically cone 04). The clay body itself never vitrifies at low fire temperatures. Absorption rates stay above 3%, meaning the fired pot will slowly weep liquid through unglazed areas and can harbor bacteria in the porous clay structure.
Key Specifications for commercial low fire glazes:
- Firing range: cone 06-04 (1,830°F-1,940°F / 999°C-1,060°C)
- Compatible clay: earthenware, terra cotta (absorption above 3% after firing)
- Application: 2-3 coats brushing or dipping at specific gravity 1.40-1.45
- Food safety: conditional. Only lead-free glazes rated for food contact on intact, uncrazed surfaces are safe for occasional use
- Cost range: $8-18 per pint of brushing glaze
If you fire a low fire glaze to cone 6 (2,232°F / 1,222°C), the boron flux becomes hyperactive and the glaze viscosity drops to near-zero. The glaze runs completely off the pot and fuses permanently to the kiln shelf. Fix this by checking every glaze label for its cone rating before loading the kiln.
Mid Fire Glazes (Cone 5-6): The Studio Pottery Standard
Mid fire glazes mature between cone 5 (2,167°F / 1,186°C) and cone 6 (2,232°F / 1,222°C). They use calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and sodium feldspars as flux materials. According to John Hesselberth and Ron Roy in Mastering Cone 6 Glazes, this temperature range produces fully melted, durable glaze surfaces on vitrified stoneware clay bodies without requiring the extreme energy costs and specialized equipment of high fire.
Cone 6 stoneware with under 2% absorption is the dominant combination in contemporary studio pottery. The clay body vitrifies enough to be food-safe without glaze on the bottom. The glaze melts completely, achieves a hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, and resists cutlery marking, acid etching, and dishwasher degradation.
Key Specifications for cone 6 commercial brushing glazes:
- Firing range: cone 5-6 (2,167°F-2,232°F / 1,186°C-1,222°C)
- Compatible clay: mid fire stoneware (absorption under 2%), mid fire porcelain
- Application: 3 coats brushing or dipping at specific gravity 1.45-1.50
- Food safety: yes, with AP-certified lead-free glazes on vitrified stoneware
- Cost range: $12-28 per pint of brushing glaze
Mid fire glazes fired in an electric kiln produce reliable, repeatable results in oxidation. The same glaze formulas fired in a gas kiln with reduction atmosphere produce dramatically different effects. Iron-rich glazes flux out and produce celadon greens, copper reds, and iron saturate surfaces that electric kilns cannot replicate.
If your cone 6 glaze comes out chalky and underfired, the kiln likely underfired due to a failing thermocouple or incorrect controller offset. Always place witness cones at top, middle, and bottom shelf positions to diagnose firing problems.
High Fire Glazes (Cone 9-10): Durability and Depth
High fire glazes mature between cone 9 (2,300°F / 1,260°C) and cone 10 (2,381°F / 1,305°C). They use feldspar, whiting (calcium carbonate), and dolomite as primary flux materials. At these temperatures, the clay body fully vitrifies to under 1% absorption and the glaze-clay interface fuses into an interlocking chemical bond that is mechanically stronger than the glaze or clay alone.
According to Daniel Rhodes in Clay and Glazes for the Potter, high fire glazes develop their characteristic depth and complexity because iron oxide and other impurities naturally present in stoneware clay bodies migrate into the glaze layer during the long, hot firing. This creates subtle color variations, micro-crystalline textures, and an integration between body and glaze surface that lower temperatures cannot produce.
Key Specifications:
- Firing range: cone 9-10 (2,300°F-2,381°F / 1,260°C-1,305°C)
- Compatible clay: high fire stoneware, high fire porcelain (absorption under 1%)
- Application: dipping or spraying at specific gravity 1.45-1.55
- Food safety: yes, with proper glaze fit on fully vitrified porcelain or stoneware
- Cost range: $15-35 per dry pound for prepared high fire glaze materials
High fire glazes fired in reduction produce surfaces impossible to achieve at cone 6. Celadon greens, shino carbon-trapping, temmoku gold flecks, and copper red flambe effects all depend on the oxygen-starved atmosphere and extended heat work that define cone 10 reduction firing.
If you fire a cone 10 glaze in a cone 6 kiln, the feldspar flux never fully activates. The surface comes out dry, chalky, and porous because the silica glass matrix never fully formed. The 400°F (204°C) gap between cone 6 and cone 10 represents fundamentally incomplete glaze melting. The only fix is firing the glaze to its rated cone.
For potters committed to gas reduction firing and traditional stoneware aesthetics, high fire is the correct choice. For everyone else, cone 6 offers equal durability with lower energy costs, longer kiln element life, and access to the widest selection of commercial glazes.
Quick Reference
Cone Rating Terminology — Key Terms Explained
Quick reference for the terms used throughout this guide
The combined effect of temperature and time on ceramic materials. Two firings at the same peak temperature but different ramp rates deliver different heat work.
The process where a clay body becomes dense and impermeable as silica particles fuse together. Measured by absorption rate after firing.
A material that lowers the melting point of silica in a glaze. Different flux types (boron, calcium, feldspar) work at different temperature ranges.
A small pyrometric cone placed in the kiln during firing to verify actual heat work. More reliable than electronic temperature readings alone.
The percentage of water a fired clay body absorbs. Under 1% is fully vitrified and food-safe. Above 3% indicates a porous body that can harbor bacteria.
The gradual loss of accuracy in a kiln’s temperature sensor over repeated firings. Drift of 20-50°F is common and causes underfired or overfired glaze results.
A network of fine cracks in the glaze surface caused by thermal expansion mismatch between glaze and clay body. Not always a food safety issue but can trap bacteria.
The ratio of glaze slurry weight to water weight. Dipping glazes work best at 1.45-1.50. Brushing glazes are typically pre-formulated to the correct consistency.
Why Does Cone Rating Dictate Glaze Chemistry and Surface Quality?
Glaze cone rating determines which chemical flux system can be used, which in turn controls the glaze surface texture, color response, durability, and food safety. A cone 06 glaze cannot use feldspar as its primary flux because feldspar does not begin melting until approximately 2,100°F (1,149°C). A cone 10 glaze cannot use boron frits because boron volatilizes and evaporates out of the melt above cone 8, leaving a pitted, unstable surface.
Each cone rating has a specific flux chemistry hardwired into its temperature range. You cannot swap flux systems between ranges and get a working glaze. The cone number on the label is a direct statement of which chemical package is inside the jar or bucket.
The silica-alumina-flux triangle governs all glaze behavior. At low fire temperatures, the melt requires highly active fluxes to soften silica at just 1,830°F (999°C). Boron frits and lead compounds fill this role. They produce glossy, fluid surfaces with low viscosity at low temperatures.
At mid fire temperatures, calcium carbonate (whiting), dolomite, zinc oxide, and sodium-potassium feldspars become the active flux package. These materials produce harder, more chemically durable surfaces than low fire fluxes. The glaze achieves 6-7 Mohs hardness, resists acid attack from citrus and vinegar, and survives dishwasher cycles without surface degradation.
At high fire temperatures, potassium and sodium feldspars dominate as the primary flux. These are weaker fluxes than boron or calcium compounds, so they need temperatures above 2,300°F (1,260°C) to fully melt silica. The resulting glaze surface is exceptionally hard, deeply integrated with the clay body, and resistant to thermal shock.
If you attempt to use a high fire flux at cone 6, the feldspar particles only partially melt. The glaze surface comes out matte, dry, and underfired because insufficient glass phase formed. Fix this by matching the flux system to the firing temperature or by adding supplemental fluxes like Ferro Frit 3124 to lower the melting range.
For a deeper understanding of how flux chemistry works across different ceramic material types, our complete guide to ceramic glaze types and application techniques covers silica-alumina-flux ratios, specific gravity adjustments, and troubleshooting common glaze defects across all firing ranges.
For studio potters who want reliable, durable surfaces without chemistry deep dives, cone 6 commercial glazes from established manufacturers deliver consistent, tested results on vitrified stoneware.
How to Match Glaze Cone Rating to Your Clay Body
The glaze cone rating must match the clay body’s firing range or the combination fails regardless of individual quality. A cone 6 glaze on a cone 04 earthenware body causes the clay to bloat, slump, or melt because earthenware cannot withstand temperatures above 1,940°F (1,060°C). A cone 06 glaze on a cone 10 stoneware body leaves the clay severely underfired with absorption above 10% and zero structural integrity.
The match works in one direction only: the clay body and the glaze must both mature at the same cone. You cannot partially compensate by firing a cone 6 body to cone 04 with a low fire glaze. The clay never vitrifies. Water seeps through. The pot leaks and eventually cracks from absorbed moisture expanding during use.
This vitrification failure occurs because stoneware clay bodies require temperatures above 2,100°F (1,149°C) for the silica and alumina particles to begin fusing. At cone 04 (1,940°F / 1,060°C), the clay remains as a compacted but unfused mass of particles. It has the mechanical strength of a dried mud brick, not a fired ceramic.
According to Laguna Clay’s technical data sheets, their cone 6 stoneware bodies achieve absorption rates of 1.2-1.8% when fired to cone 6. The same clay body fired to cone 04 shows absorption above 12%. That tenfold difference means the underfired pot is a sponge, not a vessel.
For functional ware intended for food or liquid contact, mid fire stoneware clay rated to cone 6 with under 2% absorption paired with lead-free cone 6 glazes is the proven safe path. The clay body vitrifies, the glaze melts completely, and the resulting surface passes ASTM C738 leaching tests for food contact.
For decorative or sculptural work, any clay-glaze cone match works as long as you accept the absorption and durability limitations of the lower ranges. A cone 04 earthenware pot with a properly matured cone 04 glaze can be beautiful, colorful, and structurally sound for display. It just cannot hold water or food safely over repeated use.
How to Verify Your Kiln Fires to the Correct Cone
Use Orton witness cones placed at three shelf levels during every firing to verify actual heat work. Program the controller. Fire the kiln. After cooling, check each cone. The cone rated for your target temperature should bend to approximately 90 degrees. This is the only verification method that cannot be fooled by thermocouple drift or controller miscalibration.
Many potters discover their kiln has been underfiring by 20-40°F (11-22°C) for months or years only after a witness cone reveals the problem. Glaze surfaces that seemed acceptable suddenly look dramatically better when the kiln actually reaches the correct cone. The difference between “almost cone 6” and “actual cone 6” is visible in gloss level, color development, and surface smoothness.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to Verify Kiln Firing Accuracy with Witness Cones
5 steps · 10 minutes setup time per firing
Get three cones per shelf: target, guide, and guard
For a cone 6 firing, place a cone 5 (guide cone), cone 6 (target cone), and cone 7 (guard cone) at each shelf level. The guide cone bends first and warns you are approaching peak. The guard cone bends only if you overfire.
Mount cones at a 7-8 degree angle in a clay pat
Press each cone into a small coil of soft clay so it leans slightly in the direction it should bend. The cone number stamp faces you. The tip leans toward the bending direction. A cone standing straight up will not bend correctly even at full temperature.
Position cone packs at top, middle, and bottom shelf levels
Place each set of three cones where you can see them through a peephole during firing. Temperature differences of 20-40°F (11-22°C) between kiln top and bottom are common. You need data from all three zones to diagnose uneven heating problems.
Fire the kiln and check cones after cooling
After the kiln cools completely, open it and examine every cone. The target cone should bend so the tip is level with the base or slightly past 90 degrees. A cone that barely moved means underfiring. A cone that melted flat means overfiring.
Adjust controller offset or firing schedule based on results
If witness cones show consistent underfiring, add a +15°F to +25°F (+8°C to +14°C) offset in your controller settings. Fire again with new witness cones. Repeat until the target cone bends correctly at every shelf level.
Run this cone verification test at least twice a year. Thermocouples degrade slowly over approximately 100-150 firings. A controller that was accurate six months ago may be off by 30°F (17°C) today. The glaze results degrade so gradually that you stop noticing the difference until fresh witness cones reveal the problem.
Common Cone Rating Mistakes and How to Fix Them
The most frequent cone rating error is assuming all glazes in the studio fire to the same cone. A single shelf loaded with cone 06, cone 6, and cone 10 glazes produces a kiln full of failures. The low fire glaze runs off the pot and fuses to the shelf. The high fire glaze stays chalky and dry. Only the glazes rated for the actual firing temperature survive.
The second most common mistake is trusting the cone number on a controller display without verification. Electronic controllers use thermocouple readings to estimate heat work using a mathematical model. Thermocouples degrade. Models are approximations. A display showing “cone 6 reached” means the controller calculated cone 6 heat work based on a possibly inaccurate temperature sensor. Only witness cones tell the truth.
Other frequent errors include firing glaze to the clay body’s bisque temperature instead of the glaze’s rated cone, stacking shelves too close together so cones cannot bend freely, and reusing old witness cones that have absorbed moisture and no longer bend at the correct temperature.
For every cone-related failure, the fix starts with one action: place fresh witness cones in the next firing. You cannot diagnose what you cannot measure. Once you have cone bend data from actual witness cones, the correction path becomes clear.
Cone Rating Myths Debunked
Myth vs Fact
Glaze Cone Rating — Common Myths Debunked
Separating fact from fiction on the most common cone rating misconceptions
✗ Myth
Firing a low fire glaze 100°F hotter makes it more durable.
✓ Fact
Low fire glazes use boron frits that become dangerously fluid above their rated cone. Firing a cone 06 glaze to cone 05 (about 70°F hotter) causes the boron to over-flux the silica. The glaze viscosity collapses, the coating runs off the pot, and it permanently bonds to the kiln shelf. Durability does not increase. The pot and shelf are both destroyed.
✗ Myth
You can fire any glaze to any cone if you adjust the hold time.
✓ Fact
Hold time at peak temperature increases heat work but cannot compensate for a 400°F (204°C) cone mismatch. A cone 10 glaze held at cone 6 for 3 hours still never reaches the temperature where feldspar fully dissolves into the silica melt. The un-melted flux particles remain as refractory inclusions in a weak, underdeveloped glass matrix. The glaze surface stays chalky and porous regardless of hold duration.
✗ Myth
All glazes that reach their rated cone are automatically food-safe.
✓ Fact
Food safety depends on the glaze formula, not just the firing temperature. Glazes containing barium carbonate, lithium carbonate above 1%, or certain metal oxide colorants can leach toxins into acidic foods even when correctly fired. Under ASTM C738 testing, barium silicate compounds show acid solubility up to 0.3 mg/L. Only glazes with documented lead-free, barium-free certification and successful acid-leach testing are food-safe at any cone.
✗ Myth
A kiln controller that displays “cone 6 reached” means the kiln fired to cone 6.
✓ Fact
The controller calculates heat work from thermocouple voltage readings using a programmed algorithm. Thermocouples drift 10-30°F after 100 firings due to metal fatigue at the junction tip. A degraded thermocouple sends lower voltage to the controller, which then overfires to compensate. The display shows “cone 6” while the actual kiln reached cone 7 or cone 8. Only witness cones measure real heat work. Replace thermocouples every 100-150 firings and verify with cones quarterly.
✗ Myth
Cone 10 glazes are always more durable than cone 6 glazes.
✓ Fact
Durability depends on the specific glaze formula, not just the firing temperature. A properly formulated cone 6 calcium-magnesium glaze achieves 6-7 Mohs hardness with excellent acid resistance. A poorly formulated cone 10 glaze with insufficient alumina can be softer and more chemically reactive. Well-designed cone 6 glazes on vitrified stoneware match or exceed the durability of average cone 10 glazes on the same clay body.
Understanding these myths saves you from ruined kiln shelves, wasted materials, and unsafe dinnerware. The cone rating on a glaze label is a chemical specification, not a suggestion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Glaze Cone Ratings
Can I mix a cone 6 glaze with a cone 06 glaze to get an intermediate firing range?
Quick Answer: No. Mixing glazes from different cone ratings does not average the melting points. The low fire flux system (boron) activates at cone 06 and becomes hyper-fluid at cone 6. The mid fire flux system (calcium, feldspar) never fully activates at cone 06. The mixed result combines an under-melted mid fire component with an over-fired low fire component. The surface crawls, pin-holes, or blisters.
Each glaze cone rating uses a specific flux chemistry that works only within its designed temperature window. Mixing them combines incompatible flux packages that activate at different temperatures. The low fire boron melts early and runs, while the mid fire feldspar sits unmelted as grit in the liquid. The result is a textured, defective surface that serves neither purpose.
If you need a glaze that fires between standard cone ratings, find a commercial glaze formulated for that intermediate range or develop a custom recipe using a flux blend appropriate for your target temperature.
What happens if I accidentally fire a cone 10 glaze in a cone 6 kiln?
Quick Answer: The glaze comes out chalky, dry, and severely underfired. Feldspar, the primary flux in cone 10 glazes, begins melting at approximately 2,100°F (1,149°C) but requires sustained heat work above 2,300°F (1,260°C) to fully dissolve into the silica glass matrix. At cone 6 (2,232°F / 1,222°C), the feldspar particles soften but never fully integrate.
The surface feels rough like fine sandpaper. Water soaks into the glaze layer. The fired piece is neither functional nor decorative. The 400°F (204°C) gap between cone 6 and cone 10 cannot be closed by extending hold time at peak temperature because the flux chemistry has a minimum activation threshold that cone 6 never reaches.
The piece can sometimes be re-fired to cone 10 if the clay body is rated for high fire and no low fire elements are present. But the initial underfired glaze surface may have absorbed handling oils or dust that cause defects in the re-fire.
Why does my cone 6 glaze look different on the top shelf versus the bottom shelf?
Quick Answer: Temperature stratification inside the kiln creates a 20-50°F (11-28°C) difference between the top and bottom shelves. The top of an electric kiln typically runs hotter because heat rises and the lid radiates heat back downward. The bottom shelf sits closest to the cooler kiln floor and often fires colder. This temperature gap changes the heat work delivered at each shelf level.
A cone 6 glaze on the top shelf may receive actual cone 7 heat work (overfired to a glossier, more fluid surface). The same glaze on the bottom shelf may receive cone 5 heat work (underfired to a drier, less glossy surface). The glaze chemistry is identical. The heat work delivered is different.
Fix this by placing witness cones at each shelf level and comparing bend results. If the bottom shelf consistently underfires, adjust your kiln’s zone offsets or add a bottom soak period to equalize temperatures across all shelves.
Are all cone 6 glazes food-safe?
Quick Answer: No. Food safety requires three conditions beyond reaching the correct cone: the glaze must be lead-free and cadmium-free, it must not contain barium carbonate above trace amounts, and it must form a stable glass surface that passes acid resistance testing. Many decorative cone 6 glazes contain metal oxides that leach into acidic foods despite being correctly fired.
Commercial glazes labeled “dinnerware safe” or “food safe” from manufacturers like Amaco and Mayco undergo ASTM C738 leaching tests to verify safety. Glazes without this certification may contain colorants like copper carbonate, chrome oxide, or manganese dioxide that release metal ions when in contact with vinegar, lemon juice, or tomato sauce.
For functional dinnerware, use only glazes with documented food safety certification. Check the manufacturer’s technical data sheet for each glaze. Do not assume correct firing equals food safety.
Can I use witness cones that are more than a year old?
Quick Answer: Old witness cones can give false readings if they absorbed moisture from humid air. Cones stored in damp basement studios or unheated sheds absorb water into their clay body. During firing, this trapped moisture converts to steam and can cause the cone to deform early, bend incorrectly, or even explode. False early bending makes you think the kiln overfired when it actually reached the correct temperature.
Orton Foundation recommends storing cones in a dry environment and replacing any cones that show visible surface cracking or discoloration. Cones kept in a sealed container with desiccant packets remain accurate for several years. Cones left on an open studio shelf in a humid climate degrade within months.
Buy fresh witness cones at least once a year and store them in an airtight container. The $10-15 cost of new cones is minimal compared to the cost of an entire kiln load of underfired or overfired ware.
Why does my clay body bloat when I fire it with a glaze rated for the same cone?
Quick Answer: Bloating occurs when gases trapped inside the clay body cannot escape because the glaze surface sealed too early in the firing. Even when both clay and glaze are correctly rated for cone 6, the glaze may begin melting at cone 02-04 before the clay body has finished burning out organic materials and decomposing carbonates. The sealed glaze traps escaping gases beneath the surface, creating blisters and bubbles.
This happens most often with dark stoneware clays that contain higher levels of iron, manganese, and organic materials. These clays require a slower bisque firing and a longer burnout period in the glaze firing before the glaze seals. Adding a 15-30 minute hold at 1,500°F-1,600°F (816°C-871°C) during the glaze firing allows gases to escape before the glaze surface closes.
If bloating persists, switch to a lighter-colored stoneware body with fewer combustible additives or extend the bisque firing to ensure complete burnout before glazing.
Do I need different witness cones for oxidation and reduction firings?
Quick Answer: Yes. Reduction atmospheres deposit carbon inside the cone body, changing its flux chemistry and bending behavior. Orton cones fired in heavy reduction can bend 5-15°F (3-8°C) earlier than the same cone in oxidation. For accurate reduction kiln readings, use witness cones and interpret the bend slightly conservatively.
The carbon from incomplete combustion acts as an additional flux inside the cone’s clay body formula. This makes the cone slightly more reactive to heat. A cone 10 that bends perfectly at 2,381°F (1,305°C) in oxidation may bend at 2,366°F (1,297°C) in heavy reduction. The difference is small but real.
Most reduction potters develop a feel for how their specific kiln’s atmosphere affects cone behavior over multiple firings. Track cone bend results against fired glaze surfaces in a firing log to build this calibration for your specific equipment and firing schedule.
Can I fire cone 6 glazes in a gas kiln?
Quick Answer: Yes. Cone 6 glazes fire successfully in gas kilns in both oxidation and reduction atmospheres. The glaze matures at the same cone regardless of heat source. However, the reducing atmosphere dramatically changes the glaze color response, especially for glazes containing iron, copper, or titanium.
Iron-bearing cone 6 glazes that fire amber or brown in an electric kiln turn green (celadon), blue, or metallic in reduction. Copper glazes shift from green to red. The flux chemistry stays the same. The colorant oxide behavior changes completely because reduction strips oxygen atoms from the metal oxides, converting them to more reactive lower-oxide states.
Test every cone 6 commercial glaze in your specific gas kiln atmosphere before committing to production work. The results may be beautiful, terrible, or anywhere between. The glaze bottle’s test tile was fired in oxidation unless otherwise stated.
What kiln wash should I use for different cone ranges?
Quick Answer: Kiln wash composition changes with firing temperature. For low fire (cone 06-04), a 50/50 mix of EPK kaolin and alumina hydrate works well and releases easily after firing. For mid fire (cone 5-6), use 60% alumina hydrate and 40% EPK kaolin for better release at higher temperatures. For high fire (cone 9-10), use 70-80% alumina hydrate with 20-30% EPK kaolin to prevent the wash from sintering onto the shelf.
Alumina hydrate is the key release agent at all temperatures because it stays refractory and does not flux even at cone 10. Increasing the alumina percentage at higher cones prevents the kiln wash from vitrifying and bonding permanently to the kiln shelf. Re-apply kiln wash every 10-15 firings or whenever bare shelf surface appears.
For all cone ranges, apply kiln wash in thin, even coats. Thick wash layers crack and flake off, leaving debris on lower shelves and ruining glaze surfaces on pots below.
How does cone rating affect electric kiln element life?
Quick Answer: Every 100°F (56°C) increase in firing temperature roughly halves the expected lifespan of electric kiln elements. Elements rated for 150 firings at cone 6 may last only 75 firings at cone 8, and 35-40 firings at cone 10. The higher temperature accelerates oxidation of the heating wire, causing faster resistance drift and eventual burnout.
Cone 6 is the practical economic ceiling for most home studio electric kilns. Firing to cone 10 in an electric kiln is possible with high-temperature elements but dramatically increases replacement costs and frequency. Elements for a typical 7-cubic-foot kiln cost $150-300 per set and require several hours to replace.
If high fire reduction glazes are your goal, a gas kiln is the more economical long-term choice despite higher initial cost. The fuel cost difference and element replacement savings typically recover the gas kiln investment within 2-3 years of regular production firing.
Just as cone ratings define the firing boundaries for ceramic glazes, other ceramic material systems have their own rating frameworks. The PEI rating system for ceramic tiles uses a similar numbered classification to indicate surface durability and appropriate application, much like how cone numbers specify the firing range where a glaze achieves its designed surface hardness and chemical resistance.
Choose the Right Cone Rating and Fire with Confidence
Glaze cone rating is the first decision that locks every other choice: clay body, kiln type, firing schedule, color palette, and food safety status. Get the cone match right and the glaze melts correctly, the clay vitrifies, and the surface is durable and safe.
Get the cone match wrong and nothing else saves the firing. Verify your kiln with witness cones. Match every glaze to its rated temperature. Pair glazes only with clay bodies that mature at the same cone.
For most potters working in an electric kiln, cone 6 stoneware with commercial mid fire glazes delivers professional results with the widest margin for error and the lowest long-term operating cost.






