| The
Raku pottery process is very unique ceramic firing process.
After the pottery has been bisque fired, it is glazed and raku
fired to a temperature of around 1800( F) in a propane-fired
raku kiln. It takes about a 30 minutes to reach temperature. The
pottery is removed from the raku kiln with specially designed
raku tongs, while it is still glowing hot, and placed in a metal
can filled with combustible materials. The heat from the pottery
ignites the material and the can is immediately sealed. The fire
quickly uses all the oxygen in the can and draws it from the
pottery and glaze or "post fire reduction" The reduction stage
is what causes the wonderfully unique, unpredictable and
spontaneous patterns of color and metallic luster. After 15
minutes or so in the reduction can, the pottery is removed and
dunked in water to "freeze" the patterns. Protective
clothing, gloves and eye protection must be worn when handling
the hot pottery. The clay used for raku pottery is specially
designed to withstand thermal shock, most other clays would
crack under the drastic temperature change. |
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