How to RAKU pottery! My FAVORITE way to finish pottery

This video we use a technique called Raku to finished our pottery! It is such a fun and unique way to make pottery!

Thanks to Oliver Clay Co. for helping out follow them on Insta!
Thanks to our sponsor Continental Clay!

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Jonthepotter
115 South Olive St.
Waconia, MN 55387

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[benpatterson]

Jon, as others have said, the bubbles (blistering) is due to your kiln not being hot enough.
All glazes essentially boil, when they are fired. We normally don't know that, or see, because they are inside the kiln, and with most kilns you set them, and other than looking at witness cones, you don't look inside the kiln too much. This is why, you are supposed to leave a decent gap, in between wares, during the glaze firing. Even if they aren't touching, when you load them, they will be with the expansion, of the glaze.
Most potters, I've talked to, who do Raku, go by appearance of the glaze, not cones, when they fire. Personally, I use a cheapo pyrometer, as a guide, especially at the lower temps, and as a way to figure out if the rate of climb has stalled. But once I get near the top end, I will only cut the fuel off, when I see the glazes have "settled down" and have a "wet" look to them.


Also, it seems you are pulling the wares, from the combustion bins too soon. If there is still burning materials in there, it's too early. Pulling early runs two risks. One, you aren't going to get as much reduction effect. Two, you'll do what I did, and get a small recreation of the movie "Backdraft"... "WHOOOSH!"


You really only need the water if you are doing one or both of the following: Trying to cause the glaze to craze more by dropping the temperature quickly, right after pulling the ware out of the kiln, and before it goes in to the reduction bin. Or, trying to "freeze" the glaze color, right where it is at, by cooling it quicker and cutting it off from the oxygen, which can affect the glazes, even at lower temperatures.
Water would not be necessary, if you don't want the crazing, and if you let the wares sit in the reduction bin until they are completely cooled down (several hours to overnight...That sounds like cooking instructions...)
Traditional Raku, that is used for tea ceremonies, in Japan, they do tend to quench the wares in water, or even just let them air cool, with no reduction at all. Their ware has a very organic, natural look to it, which is what is sought after.


Interestingly enough, I use a couple of those exact glazes, but in my classroom, as standard low fire glazes. And they are GREAT colors. I am actually ordering my supplies for next school year, and did notice, that those glazes are listed as both a low fire and dedicated raku glaze. I do a Raku firing, with my Art Club students, and we do use those glaze for it as well.
From my experience the Federal Blue, which is a light to medium blue, in oxidation, ends up as blue, with some yellow gold flashes, in Raku reduction (Really nice). The Tarnished Brass, which is a golden yellow in oxidation, is more of a copper color, in Raku reduction. I do not use the other one you mentioned. But as it blue green, in oxidation, it makes sense that it is more of a copper color, in reduction. It needs the oxygen to become greenish (Think of the oxidation, on the Statue of Liberty), and the Raku process doesn't allow for that.
What you could do, is after removing, swing the piece in the air slowly, to give the glaze some oxygen, while it is cooling. *Then* put it in the reduction. You could also dunk in water, before reduction as well. Both things might allow for more of the greenish to appear, before it is reduced.
If you want to try other glazes, Continental also makes a specific Raku glaze, called "Wheat Flash", that is quite nice. They also have a Turquoise Crackle that is quite nice.


You may also consider reducing with alcohol as well. It gives you some bright areas of color, as well as gives you more control, over those areas of color.


Nice job on the protective wear. Some may comment, that shorts and flip flops are a liability, but I've done it before. I honestly don't go with a thick coat, but thick gloves are a must. I will add, that eye protection is also a must. Hair and skin grow back, all it takes is a quick wisp of flame, to catch your eye, and you're in serious trouble!


Great video, as always. I see that a couple people complained about the music being loud. Raku firing, in a gas fired kiln, are just loud. So there is really nothing of value to hear. My students always comment on that, when I turned the gas off. It gets eerily quiet.

[Kinnamon]

fireman's jacket, fire resistant gloves, shorts and sandals hahaha. Nice.

[candicebooker]

Loved the video!

But I gotta tell ya, the shorts and sandals had me quite nervous! I’d love to see what the difference would be after letting the glaze settle.

[Jonthepotter]

I know the audio levels on this video are a little off! I guess I was just pumped up when editing the video and made the music a little too loud compared to the talking, SORRY! I will learn and be better for the next one! In the meantime, happy potting! #everthinginflipflops

[stacyjpearce]

Every attempt is a learning experience...what to do and what not to do. You'll figure it out. Keep on trying, experimenting, go down different paths. "Mistakes" can be incredibly unique. Sometimes they're better than what we were trying for originally.

[shirleycirio]

are U just so SUPER!!!??? So glad you had your seat belt on... people are watching your every move. :))) I imagine we will never see you "vid" on your bike, ever again... Great information from Ben Patterson..thank you!

[jasonleegrantz]

In my experience, when glazes come out bubbly like that it means they weren't in the kiln long enough. Just my own experience! I like the pieces!

[janbijl]

Love working with the raku kiln.
Nice to see you wearing protective clothing! Very important. 😉
Greetings from a potter from the Netherlands.
The bubbles are because the kiln was not hot enough 😊

[audfish]

Cool video! Thank you for sharing your raku process with us!

[alandunnighan]

Raku is a wonderful thing, great video. I have tried a few times and its great, very exciting.

[michaeldausmann]

More bins + more combustibles. Wet newspaper packed into the lid to seal. Great vid!

[MarkoVegano]

I love raku. Sure would love a plan to build my own raku kiln.

I would sometimes not put the pottery in the combustibles, but rather leave them out and let them cool down. The oxidation creates another interesting difference in colors.

[BrokenArrowPottery]

Livin' The Dream! Thanks for taking us with you!

[rileysmusicandstuff]

Hey, two things. Letting the glaze sit for a day on the piece is helpful... But also slowing down the firing as you reach firing as well as soaking for a few minutes helps to smooth out any bubbles that form.

[naruceramic]

That's so cool. love raku technic!!

[queenmagentafox]

Nothing makes me more anxious than someone driving while recording.

[TheRenaissanceMama]

Can you share a video on how to make the Raku kiln?

[abbiwhite]

Had a raku day in high school, it was all of our favorite day! All the kids in advanced art classes got to attend and create 3 art pieces, I loved using the crackle glaze mix! Super fun way to create art.

[catladylife]

Awesome. I was going to try raku down in seagrove in North Carolina but it was a very hot day and they had to call it off because of the heat. Hopefully I can get back down there and try it.

[Boinks]

music was really loud compared to the talking so my eardrums died during the segment to firing sequence