Slumping- number of molds at once?

[Amy Jakowski]

Thank you all for your input on buying a kiln. Now one more question before I take the plunge. Can I slump more than one mold in a Skutt Clamshell (20" shelf) or Skutt 1014 (22" shelf)? Will have side elements blocked from one mold cause a significant problem? Will location in a element top only kiln also cause a problem for multiple molds? Should just get a bigger kiln?
Thank you.

[charlie]

the # of molds you can slump in one load depends upon the size of the molds (floor space) and heat schedules each mold needs. some molds need very little and some need a lot of heatwork. if you use both in the same load, will one be overfired and the other underfired?

[Judd]

I have always places as many molds in my kiln as possible. As long as you are an inch or so away from the walls/elements, you should be fine. If your molds are unusually thick or heavy, I would fire up slowly, like 150 degrees per hour.

[Valerie Adams]

I saw this photo the other day and made a note of it to remind me that I could slump student work this way. I believe this was taken from a Patty Gray class.

[JestersBaubles]

I saw this photo the other day and made a note of it to remind me that I could slump student work this way. I believe this was taken from a Patty Gray class.

molds.jpg

Yep, that's a Patty Gray class

Dana W.

[Brad Walker]

I saw this photo the other day and made a note of it to remind me that I could slump student work this way.

The reason this works is that the molds are very gentle, with only a short drop. They're also molds that can stand being overfired or held at a long time at slumping temperature. And they're all the same mold.

If your molds are deeper or steeper, this kind of kiln loading will probably be problematical.

[Alexis Dinno]

In my experience low temperature slumps (~605º C) are problematic when 'shading' lower pieces from the top elements (when only top elements are on). Same goes for placing slumping molds on stacks of shelves.