How to Pit Fire Stoneware
Pit firing stoneware can be time consuming and involves quite a bit of precision to get good results. Producing pit-fired stoneware that is durable, functional and aesthetically pleasing takes pre-planning and strategy. Pit firing can be done in different locations, but make sure you have permission to pit fire at the location you choose and are following safety precautions and ordinances for digging pits, open fires and clean-up afterward.
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Things You'll Need
- Fire ring
- Oil drum (optional)
- Shovel and digging tools
- Combustibles or chemicals
- Fire starter, lighter or matches
- Stoneware high-fire clays
- Low fire glazes (optional)
- Safety mask and gloves
Instructions
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Preparation
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1
Gather stoneware to be fired in a pit. High-fire stoneware clays yield the best results.
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2
Dig a pit or set up an oil drum for firing. If it is an open pit, you will need to use a fire ring around the outside of the pit for safety.
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3
Purchase or gather appropriate combustibles or chemicals to fuel the fire in the pit. The coloring effects that show up on your stoneware will vary according to the types of combustibles you add to the fire when firing it.
Firing
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4
Ignite the combustibles to start a fire in the fire pit. Temperature, the placement of stoneware within the pit, the combustibles, and timing affect the firing results.
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5
Place the stoneware in the firing pit. Use safety gloves and a mask. Position the stoneware in the pit with combustibles around it to create the colors and other effects you desire. Reposition the stoneware within the pit to change the factors that affect the final result. Be careful not to damage the stoneware while repositioning it during the firing process.
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6
Monitor and maintain an even, steady high-heat temperature within the fire pit during the firing process. Add more combustibles as needed. Allow a flow of oxygen if you're using a covered oil drum. Be careful not to create a sudden increase in heat or flame or to let the temperature get too cool inside of the pit. The structure of the end stoneware item and its usability and strength depend greatly on how the firing process goes and requires an even, steady distribution of high heat.
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7
Remove the pit-fired stoneware from the fire pit using safety gloves. Cool the stoneware down. Proceed with any additional finishing steps that you may want to add to the pit-fired stoneware.
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Tips & Warnings
Take your time when creating the stoneware, and when pit firing the piece. Plan the steps out, and don't lose patience in the process. Follow instructions carefully.
Being in a hurry or too anxious to get a piece of stoneware fired can create structural defects in the stoneware, and might be a waste of time and money. Moving a piece around inside the firing pit while firing it can also damage the piece. Use caution when pit firing stoneware. Use breathing mask and safety gloves. Use caution when working with open flames and flammable materials and combustibles.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit fish boil fire pit image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
