Things You'll Need
Potter's wheel
Cone 5 stoneware clay
Sponge
Electric kiln
Ceramic crucibles are used for science experiments and for melting down materials such as metals. With a few household tools, you can make your own ceramic crucible and begin melting things such as your broken jewelry and other scraps of metals that can be sold. It is also a good way to recycle old materials, thus protecting the environment. Creating the crucible out of ceramic rather than a metal makes it more durable and longer lasting.
Step 1
Take a piece of clay the size of the palm of your hand. Work the clay to warm it up.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Place your piece of clay onto the center of your potter's wheel.
Step 3
Put some drops of water onto the clay. Spin the wheel slowly and press the clay downwards and toward the wheel's center to center the clay. A centered piece of clay will not wobble.
Step 4
Speed up the potter's wheel. Press into the center of the clay using your fingers of one hand, holding the edge of the clay with your other hand. Continue pushing the clay downwards with one hand very slowly until you have an open bowl shape.
Step 5
Press your clay between your hands while gradually moving them upwards, away from the wheel's center. Do not change the amount of speed and pressure you use while completing this motion in order to avoid uneven thicknesses in the bowl. Make the sides no higher than 6 inches and no thinner than 1/4 inch thick.
Step 6
Dampen your sponge. Run the sponge down the insides and outsides of your crucible to make it smoother.
Step 7
Stop your wheel from spinning. Create a little lip for your crucible from which you can pour. If you want one, sculpt a clay handle and place it on the side of your crucible.
Step 8
Let your crucible dry completely.
Step 9
Fire your crucible in an electric kiln at 2100 F. Let it stay in for seven hours. Let it cool before using it.
Video of the Day