Ceramic Reduction Fire Definition

This may not sound like things that will affect your pottery but it can.

Ceramic reduction fire definition.

It is the lack of oxygen in the last part of the process that is critical for the desired effects. In reduction firing oxygen is prevented from interacting with the glazes during glaze maturation. Ceramic work is typically fired twice. Reduction firing is the exact opposite of oxidation firing.

A reduction environment is an enclosed space with a reduced amount of oxygen. The goal of bisque firing is to convert greenware to a durable semi vitrified porous stage where it can be safely handled during the glazing and decorating process. Usually this consists of a metal garbage can with combustible materials inside such as newspapers saw dust leaves or pine needles. Fuel burning kilns give the artist control of how much or how little oxygen enters the firing chamber and when.

Moving quickly the hot pieces are put into a reduction environment. Reduction causes most ceramic materials such as your glazes to melt faster. This is done by adjusting the fuel in a gas kiln or by adding organic material such as in raku. An oxidation atmosphere has plenty of oxygen for the fuel to burn.

It is bisque fired and then glaze fired. The reduction firing process almost as a standard the process of reduction is described with some degree of equivocation no matter where you go or in which ceramic setting you work. If you want more time in reduction without more heat work reduce the amount of fuel you may also need to reduce air intake and close the exit flue or damper even more so that the kiln is soaking rather than gaining heat. A reduction atmosphere occurs when the amount of available oxygen is reduced.

Most pottery professionals don t like to describe it especially to a persnickety chemist. The piece is inserted into the garbage can and the lid put on. The oxidation process for example can alter the color of the glazes or paint you ve chosen to use.