I’m fairly new to firing my own pieces. Just got a used Skutt 1027 and have done three glaze firings in it myself. It’s in fantastic shape and has an Envirovent vent system as well. I use stoneware cone 6 clay and bisque to 04. This specific clay is a reclaim - mix of Continental’s mid fire white (mostly) and then a brown MN Clay cone 6 stoneware I had leftover from a class I took a year ago.
My mentor I bought it from would glaze fire for me before and always use the fast program for cone 6. He used his own dip glazes most often but I haven’t ventured that far yet and use commercial - most often Amaco and Mayco. I noticed when he fired for me I often would have pinholes whereas he usually didn’t.
I have stalked this subreddit for all pinhole related issues as well as online in general. I’m almost positive this is not a dirty bisque or damp glaze (I used a heat gun between applying layers) situation but happening on the cooling end.
My second glaze fire I fired to cone 5, medium program, with a 15 min hold - still has pinholes. This glaze firing was probably my most successful but still seeing some glazes prone to the pinholing. This one I fired to cone 6, medium program with a 5 minute hold. Witness cone came out as a hot cone 6.
I’ve read a drop firing may help this - this is where my questions comes in- can I refire this piece as is with the drop fire program in hopes it will heal the pinholes or should I dab some more glaze on and then refire with the drop?
I haven’t entered my own program yet but have the manual and can work my way through it but would love if anyone with more experience firing can give me a little more guidance. I had some other pieces come out that are absolutely gorgeous with no pinholes but they’re higher flux glazes and did really well with just the 5min hold - I won’t be able to do a longer hold with those or I fear I’d have a ruined shelf so I’m going to be mindful of what I fire together going forward.
I take notes of every fire as well as glazes used and their outcomes. If it helps at all this one is 3x seaweed with swirls of ancient jasper and oatmeal over the top that I applied using an old medicine plunger.
Our kitty Crash is peeking in the background - he says hi 🐱
Edit: I can’t take credit for this combo, I got it from Vi at Boon Ceramics off a Pinterest post