What does reduction firing mean?
In reduction firing, oxygen is prevented from interacting with the glazes during glaze maturation. This is done by adjusting the fuel in a gas kiln, or by adding organic material such as in Raku. As the organic material burns it uses up oxygen, leaving an oxygen-less environment.
What are the two types of firing?
The firing process turns raw clay into ceramic through high-temperature heating. This usually happens in a kiln. Clay often goes through two types of firing – bisque firing and glaze firing.
What does reduction mean in pottery?
The terms oxidation and reduction refer to how much oxygen is in the kiln’s atmosphere while the kiln is firing. An oxidation atmosphere has plenty of oxygen for the fuel to burn. The reduction process, when oxygen is leeched out of your kiln atmosphere and pottery, can change the texture of your clay.
What is cone10 firing?
Cone 10. Oxidation takes place in the Electric Kiln. Reduction takes place in the Gas Kiln. Engobes mature from cone 4 to 10. Mid-range glazes mature (cone 4-6)
What is a reducing kiln?
A method of firing stoneware where the kiln air intakes and burners are set to restrict or eliminate oxygen in the kiln such that metallic oxides convert to their reduced metallic state.
What is kiln furniture?
Kiln furniture is used in heating processes in the production of individual pieces such as ceramic or metal components. Kiln furniture components are wearing parts, which must be replaced regularly because of the thermomechanical and chemical stresses during use.
What are firing methods?
Firing Techniques
- General.
- Backing Fire.
- Strip-heading Fire.
- Flanking Fire.
- Spot Fires (point source fires)
- Aerial Ignition.
- Center and Circular (Ring) Firing.
- Pile and Windrow Burning.
When should you start reduction?
Generally, start the reduction cycle when the witness cone before your target cone begins to tip. For example, with a cone pack with cones four, five, and six (the target cone being cone five), you will want to start reduction when cone 4 starts to tip. You want to build up some pressure in the kiln.
What is cone firing?
Firing is about heat absorption, so the right temperature has to be maintained for long enough for the cone to fall. Normally a cone will fall if the right temperature has been maintained for around 20 minutes.
What is bisque fire?
Biscuit (also known as bisque) refers to any pottery that has been fired in a kiln without a ceramic glaze. In situations where two firings are used, the first firing is called the biscuit firing (or “bisque firing”), and the second firing is called the glost firing, or glaze firing if the glaze is fired at that stage.
What is bisque firing?
What’s the difference between reduction firing and oxidation firing?
Reduction Firing. Most usually, reduction firing is favored by potters and is done using gas, propane or other fuel burning kilns or methods. Reduction firing is the exact opposite of Oxidation firing. It is the lack of oxygen in the last part of the process that is critical for the desired effects.
What happens in a reduction firing of pottery?
Reduction firings can bring out some wonderful colors in pottery. Many high-fire glazes are formulated for reduction, and will not work successfully in neutral or oxidation firings. These brilliant colorings and effects are created when metallic oxides in glazes change form.
Can a reduction firing be done in an electric kiln?
Reduction firing cannot be done safely in an electric kiln. As with most things pottery, the exception is if you are an experienced potter, understand the in and outs, and are ready for advanced techniques such as using saggers. Appropriate kilns include those fueled with: Natural gas.
What does oxidation and reduction mean in a kiln?
There are many factors to consider when it comes to firing your pottery in a kiln. The terms oxidation and reduction refer to how much oxygen is in the kiln’s atmosphere while the kiln is firing. An oxidation atmosphere has plenty of oxygen for the fuel to burn.