Resources

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  ADVANCER® Cookies: Handle Glaze Runs & Maximize Space in Any KilnJune 11, 2026
  Use ADVANCER® Cookies strategically under individual pieces where glaze runs may occur and protect your cordierite shelves. They’re particularly brilliant for experimental glazes that would potentially stick to cordierite shelves causing significant clean up.  
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  Best Kiln Shelves: Complete Buying Guide 2026April 24, 2026
  Choosing the right kiln shelves is one of the most important decisions for your ceramic studio. The shelves you select affect everything from how many pieces you can fire at once to your energy costs, handling ergonomics, and maintenance workload. This comprehensive guide helps you understand the real differences between kiln shelf materials and find the best option for your specific firing needs.

Technical Information

• ADVANCER® Shelf Surface Maintenance and Care
  Any glaze, clay etc. that is fused to the Advancer shelf surface can always be removed with care due to the extremely low shelf porosity of
• ADVANCER® Kiln Shelf Surface
  Every shelf surface is unique and can vary from shelf to shelf. This includes marks caused by the kiln furniture used to fire the shelves during manufacturing. Variations in color, gloss and surface lines from the slip casting process are common. Expect the color… Read more: ADVANCER® Kiln Shelf Surface
• First Firing with New ADVANCER® Shelves
  New Advancer kiln shelves are ready to use. They have already been fired to temperatures in excess 2700F (cone 16) during manufacturing. It is not necessary to conduct an initial seasoning, bake in or dry out firing. Use a damp sponge to wipe off… Read more: First Firing with New ADVANCER® Shelves
• Using Advancer Shelves with Your Existing Kiln Furniture
  You can use your existing kiln furniture with Advancer kiln shelves. This includes other kiln shelves and posts or stilts. Advancer shelves do not require special posts. Posts may stick to the shelf surface. Kiln washing the ends of the posts will take care… Read more: Using Advancer Shelves with Your Existing Kiln Furniture
• Using Alumina Hydrate and Wax with ADVANCER® Shelves
  As an alternative to using kiln wash, many potters use small amounts of alumina hydrate between the pot bottom and shelf surface. If using wax approximately 1 heaping tablespoon of alumina hydrate to 1 cup of wax is usually sufficient. Stir the mixture with… Read more: Using Alumina Hydrate and Wax with ADVANCER® Shelves
• Using Kiln Wash with ADVANCER® Shelves
  While many individual customers report that they do not need to use a wash coat on their ADVANCER® shelves, we generally recommend using a suitable high alumina wash on ADVANCER® shelves – particularly in studio or classroom settings where multiple users are present. Stoneware… Read more: Using Kiln Wash with ADVANCER® Shelves
• Does Porcelain Stick to ADVANCER® Shelves?
  Due to the high amount of flux used in porcelain clay bodies (up to 50% typical) to achieve translucency, it is not uncommon for porcelain clay bodies to stick to the ADVANCER surface. The higher the firing temperature is, the greater the opportunity for… Read more: Does Porcelain Stick to ADVANCER® Shelves?
• Do I Need Special Posts for ADVANCER® Shelves?
  In general you do not need any special posts for use with ADVANCER® shelves. Round or square cordierite posts with a hole down the center will work just fine. Hard fire brick soaps (2-1/4” x 2-1/2”x 9”L) in various lengths may also be used.… Read more: Do I Need Special Posts for ADVANCER® Shelves?
• Is It Better to Use a Four Point Stacking System With ADVANCER® Shelves?
  ADVANCER® shelves are up to 19 times stronger than one-inch thick cordierite shelves! Therefore it is unnecessary and not recommended to use any arrangement other than a 3 point stack. This is the most stable system and puts the least amount of stress on… Read more: Is It Better to Use a Four Point Stacking System With ADVANCER® Shelves?
• Do I Need to Flip ADVANCER® Shelves?
  No. ADVANCER® shelves will not warp under typical pottery firing conditions even after repeated firings to cone 12 under heavy loads.
• Can I Fire Damp Pots or Pots With Wet Glaze on ADVANCER® Shelves?
  Generally this will not cause a problem, but we recommend letting green or freshly glazed pots dry completely prior to firing on ADVANCER®.
• Will Kiln Washing ADVANCER® Shelves or Getting a Few Drops of Water on Them Cause a Problem?
  No. It takes prolonged exposure to a continuous moisture source to cause problems. It should also be noted that there is no evidence of atmospheric humidity causing moisture problems with ADVANCER® shelves. They are in use almost everywhere in the world!
• Can I use ADVANCER® Shelves in Raku Kilns?
  No. Direct flame impingement on ADVANCER® shelves early in a firing will usually cause thermal shock and lead to shelf failure. ADVANCER can withstand rapid heat-up and cool-down, but temperature across the shelf must be even, which is never the case in Raku kilns.
• Using ADVANCER® Shelves in Wood Fired Kilns
  ADVANCER® shelves have been used successfully in many wood-fired kilns. However, they should not be used in areas where there will be direct flame impingement early in the firing, such as fire mouths and areas adjacent to checker walls in second chambers. In these… Read more: Using ADVANCER® Shelves in Wood Fired Kilns
• What Would Cause an ADVANCER® Shelf to Crack During Firing?
  The vast majority of failures with ADVANCER® shelves can be traced to uneven temperatures across the shelf (thermal gradients) causing thermal shock and shelf failure. This can occur on heat-up or on cool-down for a variety of reasons. Typical problem areas in kilns include… Read more: What Would Cause an ADVANCER® Shelf to Crack During Firing?