1. Alternative
Firing
Methods

2. Pit firing, Raku, Salt firing,
Anagama, Gas firing

3. Pit
Firing

4. Pit firing is probably the oldest method of firing
A pit is dug in the ground and
layered up from the bottom
Fired only once, the pots are
porous and not water-tight

5. All topped by corrugated metal 5.then wood 4.then cow dung
3.then crumpled newspaper
2.then pottery
1.First is sawdust

6. Cross Section or Worms Eye View: Side View

7. Cross Section or Worms Eye View: Front View

8. or organic materials which
Pieces can
be bound
with metal wire
or organic materials which
will result in
trails and variations
of color.
This piece is wrapped in newspaper and bailing wire. It is now ready to go into the pit.

9. After the fire is lit
sheets of corrugated
metal are placed side
by side over the pit.
This slows down the
firing and creates a
good environment for
sustained heat.

10. A steel rod and cinder block prying the
corrugated steel upwards creates a flue.

11. Pit fired pottery

12. Raku

13. “Raku” means
"joy" or "happiness".
Raku started in Japan
in the 16th century
by Korean potters
under Japanese rule
Raku is linked to
 Zen Buddhism, and the
Japanese Tea Ceremony.

14. Glaze is
applied to
bisque
ware

15. Tongs are
used to
remove pots
from the
kiln at their
maximum
temperature.

16. Glowing hot
pots are placed
in metal
drums filled
with sawdust.
Carbon from the
smokes gets into
the cracks
caused by
thermal shock

17. After pots
are doused
in water
they are
scrubbed
clean
Crackle
lines
remain

18. Due to the
cracks, raku
ware is not
watertight
They are
valued as
beautiful,
decorative
objects

19. Salt
Firing

20. Salt, or sodium chloride, is introduced into a hot kiln
Salt firing started in
Germany in the 15th C.
Salt, or sodium chloride, is
introduced into a hot kiln
when the temperature
reaches 2350 F. or higher.
Sodium combines with silica
on the surface of pots creating
an “orange peel” effect.

21. Salt becomes an active vapor through the kiln
A diluted form of hydrochloric acid is released as a vapor
Salt fired kilns can not be used for other kinds of firing.

22. Salt
fired
pottery

23. A Japanese term
meaning "cave kiln"
Anagama
Firing

24. Storage jar by
Carol
Rosser
Fired in an
anagama
for 84 hrs.
with
Blackwood
and Forest
Red Gum

25. Carol and
Arthur Rosser
Anagama plan
Side
view
Top
view

26. The fire box is
stoked every ten
minutes for
about 3 days. 
Ash must be
raked regularly
from the
mouse hole
so that the
ember bed is
kept alive

27. Stoking one of
the front side
stoking ports.

28. Generic design of an anagama kiln
Chim-
ney, 3m
high
5. Flue
1. Door
Cast arch, made
of heat resistant cement
Dampers, two –
One for firing, the
second to tightly
shut the flue
Stacking floor of
silica and sand for
placing unfired pots
2. Firebox

29. Gas
Firing

30. Melting pyrometric cones determine temperature levels

31. Flames
come
out of
every
opening,
unless
they
are
plugged

32. A load of
copper red glazes
(in the center
of the kiln)
indicates a variation
in reduction
between front
and rear.

33. Gas reduction firing uses a fuel such as natural gas or propane.
The temperatures of a gas
fired reduction kiln may
exceed 2300F., Cone 10
Gas is a combustible fuel and  the potter can control the ratio of
oxygen to gas during firing. 

34. Depriving the kiln of oxygen creates a “reduction” atmosphere, where carbon monoxide can be produced. This only occurs in gas fired kilns.
Burning of chemically combined oxygen in the clay and glaze minerals gives reduction fired pottery its unique characteristics and rich colors