A method for firing ware in a periodic kiln, the method comprising: positioning a plurality of stacks of ware in a ware space of the periodic kiln, wherein each stack comprises a number of shelves that uphold a plurality of ware, and wherein the ware space comprises a plurality of temperature control zones (201, 202, 203) that are oriented in a vertical direction, and a plurality of temperature control zones (310, 320) that are oriented in a horizontal 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; and 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 both of the following conditions are 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 (201, 202, 203) that are oriented in the vertical 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 (201, 202, 203) that are oriented in the vertical 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 (310, 320) that are oriented in the horizontal 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 (310, 320) that are oriented in the horizontal direction. positioning a plurality of stacks of ware in a ware space of the periodic kiln, wherein each stack comprises a number of shelves that uphold a plurality of ware, and wherein the ware space comprises a plurality of temperature control zones (201, 202, 203) that are oriented in a vertical direction, and a plurality of temperature control zones (310, 320) that are oriented in a horizontal 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; and 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 both of the following conditions are 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 (201, 202, 203) that are oriented in the vertical 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 (201, 202, 203) that are oriented in the vertical 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 (310, 320) that are oriented in the horizontal 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 (310, 320) that are oriented in the horizontal direction. (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 (201, 202, 203) that are oriented in the vertical 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 (201, 202, 203) that are oriented in the vertical 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 (310, 320) that are oriented in the horizontal 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 (310, 320) that are oriented in the horizontal direction.