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What is Soda Firing?
Soda firing is an alternative firing method for ceramics. Soda firings are done in gas or wood powered kilns, as opposed to being fired in an electric kiln.“Soda” is a mixture of sodium carbonate and water. It gets sprayed into the kiln near peak temperature, and immediately flashes and vaporizes on all the pottery inside. It can create a glossy, subtly textured surface on the work. It can turn bare, unglazed ceramic into glossy, finished ware.
So what's the big deal?
Soda firing is one of the most popular “Atmospheric” firings there is. Atmospheric firings are generally referring to soda, salt, and wood firings. The atmosphere of the kiln itself produces tons of variegation and unpredictability on the surface of the pots inside. The surfaces change depending on how the fire travels throughout the kiln, how the soda is sprayed, how much oxygen is in the kiln, etc.
The entire inside of the kiln gets sprayed and coated with the soda solution. To avoid your pots getting soda glazed onto the kiln shelves, we use wadding to prop them up.
Glazing Advice
Results from the Soda Kiln
We suggest leaving your work bare on the outside! Test tiles of our studio glazes and flashing slips are available at both studios.
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Soda Firing Signup
We are presently offering current students the opportunity to purchase allotments of space in our soda kiln. There is space for about 25 participants in each firing.
Click the link below to register.
Current students: please refer to the email you received on February 30th [sic] for the password
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