Kiln firing with differential temperature gradients

A method for firing ware in a periodic kiln, the method comprising:

• positioning at least one stack of ware in a ware space of the periodic kiln, wherein the ware space comprises a plurality of temperature control zones that are oriented in a first direction, and a plurality of temperature control zones that are oriented in a second direction;
• heating the ware space in a first heating stage from an ambient temperature to a first temperature that is greater than the ambient temperature;
• heating the ware space in a second heating stage from the first temperature to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature;
• or
• heating the ware space in a third heating stage from the second temperature to a top soak temperature that is greater than the second temperature, wherein at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:
• (i) during at least one of the first heating stage, the second heating stage, and the third heating stage, one temperature control zone of the plurality of temperature control zones that are oriented in the first direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a setpoint temperature of at least one other temperature control zone of the plurality of temperature control zones that are oriented in the first direction;
• and
• (ii) during at least one of the first heating stage, the second heating stage, and the third heating stage, one temperature control zone of the plurality of temperature control zones that are oriented in the second direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a setpoint temperature of at least one other temperature control zone of the plurality of temperature control zones that are oriented in the second direction.