Does anyone have any great ideas to minimize getting impressions in the glaze (paper marks, sawdust dents etc). Seems like I have at least one pot that gets the extra texture of the combustible material and I would like to control this whenever possible!
Raku glaze marred by combustibles
Jan 16, 2004
2 Replies
Make sure your bin of combustibles is at least 10 paces away from the Kiln, and when you are going there with you fired and red-hot piece walk SLOWLY. When you take the piece out of the Kiln the glaze is very soft and vulnerable, walking slowly allows the glaze to form a *skin* which will protect it from damage in post-firing reduction. Don't worry about the work getting too cool; glazes are susceptible to reduction down to
400oC, and that's a 100 yard walk at least!Steve Bath UK
In article , Cindy Ginter writes
Two methods:
1) Let the glaze cool more before placing it in the reduction chamber. This is ok if you are using a crackle glaze, but if you are chasing coppers, not a good idea.2) Make sure the combustibles don't touch the piece. The combustibles don't have to touch to create reduction. If you are using a trash can for a reduction chamber, place a few brick on the bottom to set the piece on. You can also make a mesh cylinder that is slightly smaller than your trash can. Then place your paper, etc between the wall of the trash can and the mesh. Then place your piece from the kiln inside the mesh sleeve, so the combustibles don't touch.
Hopefully this helps.
-- Gary Ferguson Raku Clay Artist Nampa, ID 83687
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