Pinging or popping noises are coming from my kiln as it cools. Is that normal?

Faint popping noises are the sound of the firebricks and the metal jacket cooling down and shrinking. This is normal. It is similar to the sound of a muffler on a car as it cools. Popping noises from inside the kiln may indicate that ceramic ware has exploded because of trapped steam inside the clay. It will sound like popcorn. This is why the ware should be bone-dry before you fire it. If you hear popping from inside the kiln, do not open the kiln until it has cooled to room temperature.