Raku

I fire my raku kiln with propane and enthusiasm. Bisqueware is glazed and then fired within an hour to around 1800 degrees fahrenheit. Typical oxidation or reduction fires take five to eight hours at a minimum--so you know you are pushing the limits of fire meeting clay.

Once glazes mature, the white hot pots are removed from the kiln and placed in nests of combustibles for post-reduction effects. After 15 minutes, the pieces are placed in water. If a pot survives these dramatic thermodynamic shocks, you know the kiln gods have smiled.

Preparing the combustible nests in the sand pit.

Using tongs to pull pieces from the kiln.

Placing hot pots in combustible nests.