What is Raku

Raku is a method of firing pottery using fire and smoke to create a unique pattern on the glaze.  This Page will quickly take you through the process that I use.

Step 1

Preparation

Preparation is the most important thing you must do when using the Raku firing method.  You need to make sure the area is clean, and you need to make sure you will have every thing you will need.  You will need a bucket of water (just in case), Raku gloves, a lighter, and what you are going to use to pull the pieces.  

Set up

Place your pieces in the kiln and make sure you can quickly remove them from the kiln.  Never over load a kiln, if you place to many pieces in the kiln you will not be able to remove them quickly enough.  Also consider what you are firing, I prefer not to mix drastically different sizes and types.  Also thicker pieces retain their temp longer so pull the thinnest pieces first.  Place a Cone or Two on a flat surface.

Close the Kiln

Put the lid on kiln making sure you can still see the cone.

Light the Kiln

With your gloves on use a lighter to light the kiln.

Prepare the Nest

Make a nest for you piece, in this case I am just using shredded paper.

Watch The Kiln

Keep a close eye on the kiln.  You will need to increase the gas a little at a time.  I use three cycles.  The goal is the get the piece up to about 1800 degrees.  You can have an idea of what temp it has gotten to my using the cones.  However you need to watch the pieces.  The pieces should glow and have no dark spots.  Also most glazes will bubble and then when ready lay flat.  I use cones in every firing, but no matter what the cone says I pull when the piece is ready.

Pulling

When the piece is ready you need to pull it.  I quickly turn off the kiln and then wait a full ten seconds before removing the lid, of course you need to wear your gloves.  Now some glazes you will need to wait longer before you pull it, but others like Piepenberg Patina you will need to pull quickly.      

Flash

Once you carefully set the piece in the nest the can will be in flames, this is when you will gently sprinkle the piece with something like fine sawdust.  

Reduction

Cover the can, this is when the piece will cool down and absorb the smoke.  The fire will burn up the oxygen, AKA, reduction. Reduction changes the glaze and brings out the metallic nature of the glaze.  I person prefer to let the work cool as much as possible in the can.  But it can be removed as quickly as twenty minutes for the small thin pieces.   

Once it has cool you will need to clean off as much carbon as you wish.  When using White crackle this is of course most important.