Smoke Firing Pottery Basics and Beyond

Smoke firing pottery is a unique and captivating process that can produce stunning results. You can achieve a range of colors and effects by controlling the type and amount of smoke used.

The temperature and atmosphere of the firing process are crucial in creating different smoke firing effects. A higher temperature can produce a more intense color palette.

A smoke firing kiln is specifically designed to allow smoke to enter and interact with the pottery during the firing process. This is in contrast to a traditional electric kiln.

Smoke firing pottery requires a good understanding of the chemistry behind the process, including the role of carbon and oxygen in producing colors and effects.

Consider reading: Firing Kiln for Pottery

To get started with smoke firing pottery, you'll need some essential equipment and materials. A standard domestic metal bin with lid is a great place to begin, as it will help contain the smoke and keep your workspace tidy.

You'll also need some firelighters, and Natural Eco wood firelighters from Amazon are a great option - they're affordable and come in large quantities. Barbecue lighter fuel is also a must-have, as it will help get the fire going quickly.

If you plan on doing multiple smoke firings, it's worth investing in a bale of sawdust or shavings - it's much more economical than buying smaller quantities. Lowes sell shavings for about £6.00 per bale, which is a great deal.

Newspaper is also a crucial material for smoke firing, so be sure to stock up on plenty of sheets. Copper Carbonate is another important ingredient, but you can actually substitute it with Miracle gro all purpose plant food, which is much cheaper and just as effective.

A gas lighter is a better option than matches, especially in windy conditions. Salt is also a necessary item, and large table salt is perfectly fine to use.

Smoke firing is a unique and exciting process that can add rich, earthy markings to your pottery.

To get a successful smoke firing, you need to generate a lot of heat for the first hour of firing, then enough burning materials to smoke for at least 8 hours.

Drilling air holes in the bin, about 6-9 inches from the bottom, will help generate the heat to begin with.

Lighting firelighters, adding shavings, and pouring salt and miracle gro over the item will create a big blaze in the bin.

The bin should be at least half full of shavings, pots, and other materials, and the pots should be well covered.

Once the bin is blazing, you can pop the lid on, but make sure to leave a bit of air to circulate.

After about an hour, the bin contents should be very hot and there should be a lot of smoke.

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To protect the surface of the pots, they are given a light coat of wax and may be wiped with a damp cloth when necessary.

Smoke firing can take anywhere from 1 to 2 days, depending on the intensity of the heat and flames obtained in the fire.

The spontaneity of the fire and smoke, acting like a natural weathering force, is the source of the energy in the designs, bringing them to life.

To get the best results from smoke firing, think about where you want the darkest and lightest parts of the pot to be.

The part of the pot that lies on the base of the shavings, etc, usually turns the darkest, while the part towards the lid of the bin is the lightest.

Using loads of salt in the bin is key, but be careful not to let it get on the piece itself unless you want black flecks.

After your smoke firing is complete, it's time to take care of your piece. The bin contents should largely have burned away over the 24 hour period, leaving blackened, sooty pots.

Remove the pots, which should be cool enough to handle, and rinse them under running water. This helps loosen any remaining debris.

Get some wire wool and a cream cleanser like Cif or similar, and scrub the pot to remove any remaining soot.

After a successful firing, it's time to remove the pots from the kiln. They should be cool enough to handle, if not, use gloves.

The first step is to rinse the pots under running water to remove any loose debris. This will make it easier to clean them later.

Next, get some wire wool and a cream cleanser like Cif or similar to scrub away any remaining residue. SCRUB the pot thoroughly to get it clean.

Once the pot is dry, you can apply a beeswax polish to bring out the colors and add a nice finish. If you want a very shiny and smooth pot, you'll need to have burnished it before it was bisqued.

If the result isn't what you expected, don't worry! You can simply pop the pot back into a bisque fire again to burn off the smoke residue.

Your smoke-fired vessel is a beautiful piece that requires some special care to maintain its shine and longevity. Direct strong light over a long period of time should be avoided.

To keep your vessel looking its best, gentle handling is a must. Gentle handling and buffing help to maintain the shine.

If your vessel starts to lose its luster, a very light application of good quality beeswax polish may be applied if required.

First, you'll need to gather the necessary materials, including a kiln, clay, and a workspace.

Before you begin, make sure your workspace is well-ventilated and dust-free.

Invest in a good quality kiln, as it will determine the quality of your final product.

A kiln with a temperature range of 1800-2200°F is ideal for smoke firing.

Start with a basic clay body, such as earthenware or stoneware, as they are more forgiving for beginners.

It's essential to understand the different types of clay and their properties before selecting one.

Smoke firing requires a specific type of clay that can withstand high temperatures and chemical reactions.

A different take: Clay Pottery Kiln