RAKU RECIPES from EAST WEST POTTERY

 Welcome to Raku Recipes! 


In my 35 years as a Raku Potter nothing was more thrilling than developing a new glaze.My best glaze techniques almost always appeared by an accident that I was able to isolate and analyse. It wasn't all smooth sailing but the love of this art form drove me and thrilled me for years. The time has come to pass along these recipes and techniques to you. The first 4 glazes form the foundation of all the techniques that follow. Some glazes are so unusual they require specific applications and instructions. I'll try and be as simple and clear as possible with methods and temperatures. Because my 'way' will be different from yours and your kiln different as well, please don't be discouraged if your results don't look like the pictures. Keep trying and put something new into every glaze load. As well, take some time to read about safety, how to get best results, and what to avoid. After trying every clay available, I settled on White Earthenware, as it has a smooth texture and is a war horse against thermal shock. My kiln was an electric side loader with an excellent pyrometer. I post fired in metal lidded buckets, using clean news print and occasionally cardboard as a support platform when necessary. This is after trying everything that would combust!

Please let me (Susan) know if you have any questions at  wintrop@shaw.ca  

Tips for Success ;

Fire when the barometer is steady or rising; a falling barometer usually spelled cracked pots. Something so 'invisible' means that weather is an ally. That said I fired in very cold winters with excellent results.

I never plunged hot ware into water for a fast cool.  I recommend leaving the pots in the buckets until cool.

Do not allow hot pots to touch the cold sides of your bucket. Stand up wind and have buckets of water near the post firing site in case a fire breaks out.

Wear sunglasses when looking into your hot kiln.

Buy a good pyrometer.

Things to Avoid:

Firing in high winds or a falling barometer.

Avoid putting too many pots in the bucket as soft glazes may stick together. 

Do not peer into a bucket about to ignite.

Do not remove pieces from post firing too soon as they may re-oxidize and lose the iridescent colours.

Safety:

Wear cotton clothing, socks and shoes, hair tied back. Fireproof gloves or gauntlets. Wear sunglasses looking into the kiln. Stand down wind and don't look into a bucket that could reignite.



 

 

 

 

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