Minnesota Clay Co. USA Technical Info -
Pyrometric Cones |
| Cones are Cones. Or are they? Here are
the differences. |
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| Senior (Standard) Cones are normally set in a series of
three ascending cone values in a clay plaque. The "Target" cone is
the second cone in the series. Cone plaques are set opposite a "peep
hole" opening in the kiln's interior. The kiln operator monitors the
progress of the firing by looking through the peep hole and shutting
off the kiln when the target cone bends to a "six o'clock" position. |
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Junior Cones are typically used in Dawson Kiln Sitter
shut-off devices. The target cone is placed on the kiln sitter cone
supports and under the sensing rod. When the Target cone begins to
bend, the sensing rod lowers releasing the trigger weight on the
outside of the control box. When the trigger weight falls, it shuts
off the kiln.
Junior cones can be used in cone plaques in a
similar fashion to the senior cones shown above. Junior cones used
in this way are more difficult to spy and fire hotter than senior
cones of the same cone value. |
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| Pyrobars serve the exact same function as Junior cones in
the Kiln Sitter, except Pyrobars aren't tapered and provide a more
reproducible firing. As of 2018 we no longer stock or sell the pyrobar cones from Orton. |
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Popular Cone Values for Most Clays:
For Bisquing Earthenware Cone 06-04
For Glazing Earthenware Cone 05
For Bisquing Stoneware and Porcelain Cone 06-04
For Glazing Stoneware and Porcelain Cone 6 (can range from
Cone 4-10) |
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| See Clay Body Description For Specific Cone
Range. |
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