KilnQueuePaper kiln log book vs a digital firing log
Updated October 26, 2026 · For community pottery studios
Most kilns have a log book on a shelf nearby: date, cone, program, who fired it, and how the witness cones came out. It is one of the best habits a studio can have, because it tells you when elements are wearing and when a kiln has started firing cool.
The log is a record of the past. It doesn’t tell members when their work goes in, and it doesn’t tell the next tech what’s queued. That is where a digital firing log helps.
Keep the paper log for the kiln
Firing results, witness cone readings and maintenance belong next to the kiln, where the person loading it will see them. Keep doing that. A digital queue doesn’t replace the technical log; it covers what members and staff need to know.
Paper log vs KilnQueue
- Past firings
- Paper kiln log Every line, by date
- KilnQueue Every firing kept, with notes
- What’s next
- Paper kiln log Not recorded
- KilnQueue The queue of planned firings, sorted by start time
- Stage right now
- Paper kiln log Ask whoever fired it
- KilnQueue Queued, loading, firing, cooling or unloaded
- Members
- Paper kiln log Not visible
- KilnQueue Their own page with the next firings and their shelf
- Who changed what
- Paper kiln log Handwriting
- KilnQueue History on each firing
- Searching
- Paper kiln log Flip pages
- KilnQueue Search and filter by stage
| Paper kiln log | KilnQueue | |
|---|---|---|
| Past firings | Every line, by date | Every firing kept, with notes |
| What’s next | Not recorded | The queue of planned firings, sorted by start time |
| Stage right now | Ask whoever fired it | Queued, loading, firing, cooling or unloaded |
| Members | Not visible | Their own page with the next firings and their shelf |
| Who changed what | Handwriting | History on each firing |
| Searching | Flip pages | Search and filter by stage |
Using both
- Plan firings in KilnQueue so members and staff see the queue.
- Write the program and results in the paper log at the kiln.
- Move the firing to unloaded in KilnQueue when the shelves are cleared.