Kiln Wash

It's generally applied as a liquid, but can be mixed up to a cream consistency. (Some potters apply a kiln wash dry as a dust to shelves, then brush off after firing. Too much work...) My current favorite is a recipe of 80 % Alumina Hydrate, 20% Ball Clay, which can be applied thinly (Ron Roy recommends prewetting the shelves to keep from having it glob up in application). It works well as a thin coating, and last a long time without getting sticky. Brad Sondahl

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The most common recipe over here is 2 parts by weight Alumina Hydrate, 1 part China Clay (Kaolin), the refractory quality of the latter is a great help. With potentially runny glazes I sieve 80s grade Molochite onto the shelf and comb it level with a hacksaw blade; absorbs a lot of glaze.

Steve Bath UK

In article , Brad Sondahl writes

Most people use a liquid was as suggested mixed to creamy consistency. When applying don't go too thick, use a big house painting brush and apply all in one direction, not quite to the edge of the shelf (you don't want it falling off to the ware below in a glaze firing) However a friend swears by using dry calcined alumina. Just sprinkle on shelf when it is in place and place wears on it. It is particularly good if you have large flat ware that is likely to crack because it allows movement when shrinking happens. You do have to be wary though that you don't drop it in the wrong place, on other ware etc.