Analyze salt/soda results by kiln position
Salt and soda don't distribute evenly: pieces near the salt ports get coated heavily, while pieces further away get lighter deposits. Understanding this is how you design with the kiln.
After a salt or soda firing
- Photograph each piece and note its kiln position
- Rate the salt/soda coating on each: light / medium / heavy
- Note where "orange peel" texture is strongest
- Note where flashing slips responded most dramatically
Build a kiln map
Sketch the kiln interior and mark each position:
- Heavy coating zones (near ports, in flame paths)
- Light coating zones (sheltered behind other pots, far from ports)
- "Sweet spots" where coverage is even and beautiful
Why this matters
Next time you load, you can choose where each piece goes based on what you want the fire to do to it. A delicate piece goes in the light zone. A dramatic piece goes near the port.
This map is specific to your kiln and your salt/soda process. It gets more accurate with every firing.