I occasionally bench cool smaller pieces/elements, whether due to absent mindedness or whatever but it's important to kiln soak prior to re-heating unless you like cracks.... It's usually a matter of convenience (or distraction), which (usually) doesn't bite me on the ass - but I certainly don't advise it for someone who isn't sure about the parameters.
My biggest killer is when I spend too much time decorating a larger piece and I forget to keep a good base heat on it - and then I forget to garage it so the heat can even out...then POW. Damn it. I'm learning
