Firing #3 (finally a load I can be happy about!)

So, firing number three went smoothly. I sprayed in less soda in shorter bursts, fired without closing up the damper (less reduction), packed a light properly stacked load, did TONS of research regarding firing schedules, and begged the kiln gods to be nice to me. 

Finally some work I can be proud of:

Colors were bright, beautiful flashing, glazes did what they were supposed to and I am finally feeling like this whole long kiln building experience has been worth every arduous stressful heartbreaking moment!

Couldn't be more pleased! Already on my way to filling another load. 

Thank you to everyone who helped me find supplies, shared their knowledge/expertise, and encouraged me (again and again) not to give up. This load of gorgeous pots was because of you!

Results of second firing :(

I'll first let the pictures speak for themselves.

Lots of snot grey, over bleaching of colors, blistering, piles of soda buildup...etc

So, what went wrong? Looking over the firing schedules maybe:

1) Too much soda (almost double what I used in the first firing)

2) soda sprayed in burst that were too long (15 seconds each time instead of 5 second) 

3) Too much reduction with no oxidation soak (caused extensive carbon trapping)

4) Poor kiln loading which impeded the proper flow of air based on how the kiln was built. (I really wanted to fire a large platter in this load and ran a shelf that extended over the center air chimney exit gap.)

I studied my firing schedules, did a heap load of research and prepped for my next firing. Lol, definitely not time to give up now! I looked through all the pieces, tried salvaging a few of them by rerunning them in an electric kiln (some improvement) and I took a hammer to most of the load (which made me feel much better!) I gave away a few pieces to a friend that loves gray and photographed the couple of pots that were left. Oh, and I had a beer and quit pouting (almost).