Animal Sculptures by Karen Wilde NZ

I’m running a glaze firing, my kiln humming, nearing its final temperature. Then, poof—a plume of smoke pours from the controller, a loud pop rings out, and the power trips. My heart sinks. The connectors housing the wires are a stinky, melted mess, wires crossed and shorted, turning my workspace into pandemonium.

This was a wake-up call. I bought this kiln secondhand, a dependable workhorse that’s fired countless pieces. But this incident screamed a rule I’ve sometimes ignored: never leave a kiln unattended, especially overnight. I’ll confess, I’ve started bisque firings and gone to bed, trusting the kiln to behave. This time, thankfully, I was watching closely.The timing was dreadful. I was nearly done with a glaze firing, and letting the kiln cool to refire wasn’t a sustainable option.

With the foul stench of burnt wiring lingering, I called in the engineer for help. I raced to the nearby hardware store—lucky it’s close—and snagged $20 worth of parts. The short likely came from wires being too close, so he rewired the controller with a thicker insulation cord, ensuring the positive wires were well-separated. I flipped the power back on, and the kiln sprang to life, hitting the final temperature. Success! My glaze firing was saved.

A new controller would’ve cost $700 to $2,000—a painful expense after recently replacing the kiln’s elements and insulation. That $20 fix was a lifesaver. This scare drove home why kiln safety is critical. Firing overnight or leaving a kiln unattended is a gamble, and I got lucky. My secondhand kiln’s been a champ, but even trusty gear can fail spectacularly if not maintained. So, to fellow potters: check your wiring, stay vigilant during firings, and skip napping through a bisque fire (lesson learned!). With quick thinking and a cheap fix, I saved my controller, my firing, and my wallet. Here’s to more firings—without the smoke and stinky messes!

Here are some of the pieces that survived (a new Animal range!) now available for purchase in my shop

Note: For kiln repairs, consult a professional for safety and accuracy. Ensure proper insulation and wire spacing to prevent shorts.