: Val - Viewing Profile

I am using Amaco velvet underglaze at cone 6 and on my test tiles the clear brush on glaze turned the pinks to brown while the dip glaze did not. Does anyone know what glaze ingredient to avoid in the future? I know about zinc turning greens to brown, but can't find much info on pink

I hope you all are not sick of newbie questions ! I am always in a quandary over the amount of water to add to dry glaze. So far I have just dipped scraps of bisque and added more water until it seemed right........ Now I bought a hydrometer, and a paint viscosity cup but how do I use them? No instructions came with. Also, I read that hard or soft water can make a difference. Do you use tap water, or distilled water for glaze mixing?

I bought a used kiln (skutt) and it seems to consistently fire 1cone below what I program in. Does that mean the pyrometer is getting old? Any other advise?

I usually throw cone 5 stoneware without grog. I have recently moved from Southern Africa back to USA and by mistake got some clay with fine grog. I am at a loss how to smooth it, as a damp sponge just brings up the grog. B.T.W. Is grog needed in clay for throwing? The only way I could solve the problem was to make a sieved slip from the clay body, or burnish. How to others deal with this?
Is there a rule of thumb about when grog is needed? I've read it's a must for tiles, but what else?

I 'm sure my question is very basic and dumb, but I learned to throw in sort of a vacuum being in Africa and all.........
Thanks!
Val