welcome to the space! c:
the primary knowledge holder around kiln function is Amanda K, if you have detailed questions. Im very much a novice.
There are firing records on the clipboard, hanging behind the kiln.
I believe we only fire cone 5/6? All our glazes are at that, i do think though its been a while since i checked in detail. Thats for the batch fires though and is partly to make sure everything going in is at same expectation/need.
Weve talked about having solo or small batch firings done, but not sure if people have yet. Part of the reason for the big batches and infrequent firings is to reduce cost of running the kiln. I think there was talk at some point, of it being a 40$ dollars a kiln run in electricity? So if you donated the cost in, and ran a solo firing thatd be a groovy means of things.
The shells are like, beach shells? mollusks? doing a bit of calcination, perhaps? :0
Provided they are dry and clean, i cant immediately think of an issue; but if you want to be sure, check in with Amanda K, or perhaps read a manual for the kiln and post what you find back in here so peeps can know what you found out.
Overall, if you find a use for the kiln, that doesnt damage it, or mess it, or inhibit the other uses the space has for it (and critically wont harm you or others using it after you) we generally encourage discovering how a device works and putting it to your use! c: