Kilning

Kilning is a thermal treatment process in which materials are heated in a kiln under controlled conditions to remove moisture and induce specific chemical and physical changes. The term is used in several crafts and industries, most notably in malting and ceramics.

In malting, kilning follows germination. Sprouted barley is moved into a kiln, where moisture is dried and enzymatic activity is halted. The temperature and duration are carefully controlled to develop flavour and colour precursors in the malt, producing varieties that range from pale to dark. Kilning also reduces moisture to stable levels, preparing the malt for milling and brewing or distilling. The specifics of the kiln profile influence the final character of the malt, including sweetness, body, and aroma.

In ceramics, kilning refers to firing clay objects in a kiln to harden them. Firing drives off bound water, promotes particle bonding (sintering), and, at higher temperatures, vitrification, which increases strength and impermeability. Kilns may use wood, coal, gas, or electricity and can operate in oxidizing or reducing atmospheres. Clay bodies and glazes determine the target temperature and duration, with separate regimes for low-fire (earthenware), mid-fire, and high-fire (stoneware and porcelain) ceramics.

Kilning also covers drying and curing applications in food processing, timber treatment, and other industrial contexts, where controlled heating achieves dehydration and chemical changes beyond simple moisture removal.