kilned

Kilned is the past participle of the verb kiln, meaning subjected to firing in a kiln. In practical use, kilned describes materials that have been heated to high temperatures in a controlled furnace to harden, mature, or vitrify rather than simply dried. The term is most common in ceramics, brickmaking, and related trades, but also appears in malting and lumber contexts.

In ceramics and pottery, kilned wares have undergone at least one firing. A typical process may include a bisque firing to harden unfired clay, followed by glaze firing to mature the glaze. The firing atmosphere—oxidizing or reducing—and the temperature determine color, texture, and strength. Kilned bricks and tiles are fired to high temperatures to achieve density and weather resistance.

In malting, kilned malt refers to grain dried in a kiln to halt germination and develop aroma and color, as distinct from air-dried malt.

In lumber terminology, kilned or kiln-dried timber is wood dried in a kiln to reduce moisture content; though "kiln-dried" is the more common phrase, some sources may use "kilned" timber.

Etymology: the word derives from kiln, the furnace, with the suffix -ed forming the past participle. Kilned is often interchangeable with kiln-fired in technical contexts.

See also: kiln, firing, pottery, ceramics, bricks, malt, lumber.