WarmGlass.com

Hi...need help with choice of kiln wash or fiber paper... am concerned with harmful fumes in paper and seem to always have wash on back of the glass and coming of shelf...how many firings for a reapply of wash...[average... ] thank you, Margaret

There are lots of reasons to choose one over another.

Fiber paper does a better job of allowing air to vent from under the piece -- that means less chance of bubbles. It also stinks when it burns -- though the concensus is that it isn't harmful -- though breathing to much of anything (other than air) probably isn't a good thing.

There is also the question of finish -- no right answer, but wash and paper will yield different surfaces.

And there are specific circumstances where one is better than the other. When firing glass where you have ground the edges, for example, many people have had problems with a "hazing" -- presumably from the burning particulate gettig trapped in the micro-peaks from grinding.

There is also the question of cost -- fiber paper costs more.

As for how many times you can re-use a washed shelf -- that depends on which kiln wash, how hot you are going and the type of glass you are firing. Some people re-wash after each firing others (like me) tend to re-use several times.

The best thing is to try both, get to know them and then choose based on your needs and preferences.

I use both - depending on what I am doing.

- Paul