Alright, young potters! Today, we’re going to talk about a special tool used in pottery called a cone—specifically, Cone 012. This cone is important because it tells us how hot to get our clay in the oven, which we call a kiln.
When we fire our clay, we need to know the right temperature to make it strong and ready to use. Cone 012 melts at a temperature of 1620°F (or 882°C). Think of it this way: if the kiln gets hotter than that, the cone will melt and tell us that we’ve reached the right temperature for our clay!
The cool thing about these cones is that they’re like little thermometers for our kiln. They help us know not just about heat but also how it affects our clay. Remember, if we don’t heat our clay enough, it might not become sturdy, but if it gets too hot, it could melt away!
Here is a list of examples that are exactly equal to the measurements of Cone 012:
- A small piece of pottery that was fired once at 1620°F.
- A ceramic mug that can withstand 1620°F heat.
- A clay sculpture that is ready to be used at 882°C.
- A tile that is durable and was made at 1620°F.
- A ceramic bowl that is safe for cooking at 1620°F (882°C).
- An ornament made from clay that was fired at exactly 1620°F.
- A set of earthenware tiles that can resist heat up to 882°C.
So, next time you’re working with clay, remember that Cone 012 helps you know just how hot to go! Happy potting! 🌟