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Soda Firing
Soda firing has been touted as modern-day nontoxic replacement for salt firing. In the soda firing process, soda ash (sodium carbonate) in water solution, instead of salt, is sprayed into kiln at maturing temperature, and sodium vapor combines with silica in clay to form sodium-silicate glaze. In this section, ceramic artists will share the results of their experimentation with the soda firing process. You’ll find everything from firing schedules to glaze recipes, to beautiful examples of soda fired work. Plus, if you haven't already, be sure to download your free copy of the Ceramic Arts Buyers Guide, a directory of ceramics suppliers, plus reference material for the studio artist - professional or amateur, student or teacher.
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September 28, 2009
The Many Layers of Kiln Wash: How to Find the Best Kiln Wash for Your Firing Temperature and Methods
In this post, John Britt explains that giving a bit more consideration to kiln wash might help potters avoid some of the common kiln wash headaches - like scraping cracked kiln wash off shelves or lamenting an otherwise perfect piece that was ruined by a flake of kiln wash. Plus he shares some kiln wash recipes for various firing techniques.
March 12, 2008
I can get lost in the sumptuous surfaces of Gail Nichols’ soda fired work. The way she skillfully “paints” her pots through the firing process is fascinating and the results are breathtaking – from the rich dimpled textures to her trademark “soda ice” blue hues. Though I have never participated in a soda firing, it rose to the top of my “must do list” after reading Nichols’ book . Now, I just need to find someone willing to share their soda kiln (sigh). In today’s feature, we bring you a couple of Gail Nichols’ recipes and techniques for soda firing.
March 10, 2008
After reading Gail Nichols’ book Soda, Clay and Fire and her article in Ceramics Monthly by the same name, Mark Bollwinkel and his potter friends decided to do some experimenting with soda firing in the wood kiln they fire together.
