12/04/2021
Yet another glaze firing, and each time, I not only build upon past experiences, but after 25 years of firing kilns, and after 15 glaze firings in this particular kiln, no two firings are ever the same! (Pic no.1). There's always some new adventure that each firing can, and often will, throw at you!
Today, it was a wasp's nest just under the plug point where I needed to plug in my pyrometer. How I miss the good old analog pyrometers that didn't require any electricity. As the thermocouple heated up, the needle on the Pyro would move. And when it didn't move, you could tap tap tap on the glass, as if making the needle move would increase the temp inside the kiln! 😂
Anyway, I used my woodfirer's mesh face shield on my face, wrapped cloth up my arms, wore my kiln gloves and used a long handled glazing ladle to knock the nest completely off the switch board, and then ran away like a madman!
Gave it another 10 minutes and then went and put the plug into the plug point. 3 tiny wasps were waiting underneath, and came zooming out, as soon as I did that!
I ran!
In this way, little by little, I set up, and started the firing this morning. I mean, the nest isn't there anymore, and the big wasps have flown off! Why are these little fellows still sitting there, under the switchboard, sniggering at me, each time they make me run??! (pic no.2)
