sending...Once the clay comes out of the kiln, it goes right into the Combustion Chamber (ok, so it’s a metal trash can, but hey, Combustion Chamber sounds really cool)
Sawdust, leaves, grass, manure, paper… anything that will burn is fair game for the reduction. The red-hot clay in the covered container sets the organic material on fire, burning away first the oxygen then the carbon. The carbon reacts with the glaze as it burns, and this is what generates the beautifully metallic finish of the piece.
After another 15-20 minutes, or however long the artist wants to keep people in suspense (and let the carbon burn) the pieces can be pulled out of the Combustion Chambers (with the tongs, hey) and dunked carefully into the Water Bath.
Pay no attention to the rubbermaid looking Wash Basins. They are perfect for bathing the pottery, and hold quite a large amount of very warm water. Once the piece is washed, it is set out to dry. The colors change over a few hours as the clay piece cools completely.
Here are some examples of clay pieces that have come out of this and other Raku Firings.
Updating...
