The program I came up with was 7 stages and started off with a 6 hour preheat @ 200 degrees F with a temperature rise of 60 degrees per hour, so it took about 2 hours to get to 200 degrees.
I had also placed the four lion blocks but not the cherub in the kitchen oven overnight @ 150-160 degrees.
Then it continued with segments 2 through 7:
S2- 80 deg/hour to 280 deg
S3- 100 deg/hour to 550 deg
S4- 80 deg/hour to 750 deg
S5- 150 deg/hour to 1100 deg
S6- 180 deg/hour to 1700 deg
S7- 80 deg/hour to 2060 deg with a 10 minute hold @ 2060 deg.
Total time: 24:20
The cherub blew out, th elions all came out perfect.
So I adjusted that for the next load which is already complete and should be cool enough to remove in the morning.
The change is:
Starting off with an 8 hour preheat @ 195 degrees F with a temperature rise of 60 degrees per hour, so it took about 2 hours to get to 195 degrees from room temperature.
Then it continued as before, with segments 2 through 7:
S2- 80 deg/hour to 280 deg
S3- 100 deg/hour to 550 deg
S4- 80 deg/hour to 750 deg
S5- 150 deg/hour to 1100 deg
S6- 180 deg/hour to 1700 deg
S7- 80 deg/hour to 2060 deg with a 10 minute hold @ 2060 deg.
Total time: 26:29
In addition, the four lion blocks and this time the cherub were all placed in the kitchen oven @ 150-160 degrees F for 10 hours before placing them in the kiln.
They should have been bone dry by all that, and if not, the 8 more hours @ 195 degrees should ensure it!