Pottery Shorts: What Happens to Clay in a Firing?

Welcome to Pottery Shorts, brought to you by The Potter’s Round Table, the topic for this episode is What Happens to Clay in a Firing?

If you have fired any pottery in the past, you will know that when we fire, the clay gets stronger and easier to handle. When we fire clay to the rated cone, the clay vitrifies and becomes a stone-like ceramic material. This Pottery Short episode will explore what happens from a scientific perspective. Phil gives an easy-to-understand explanation of how the clay changes in a firing. Enjoy the show.

At Washington Street Studios, we believe the sharing of creative energy and knowledge will improve the quality of our art and increase the appreciation of art within our community. We are striving to create an environment where the arts are shared and appreciated. We want to grow as a family of artists and contribute to our community.

[michaeldausmann]

Great info. I'll just need some time to mullite it over.

[blaidd]

This was probably the most interesting video if seen all week. Never would've guessed heating up dirt was this complex!

[robhumphreys]

Awesome information. Very well presented.

[stanislawsmykowski]

Great Video! I was courious what hapenns with a clay during firing and this is the best answer which I found. Greetings from Poland :D

[lisalovelylpa]

So in general, it can be a very creative medium, if you are building a kiln for the first time, the message I get is take it slow and get as close to the desired temp as you can, and their could be a lot of variability in the end materials produced.

Kinda exciting.

As long as the whole thing does not blow up or melt and fall over lol

Thanks again. I am trying to portion a few dollars for your patreon as your videos have been very helpful in my work.

[militant_daisies]

you know i always wanted to know how this worked. thanks for the enlightening video

[pooiabeik]

Thank you so much for another amazing lesson! Really excellent indeed~

[sallyweiner]

Chemistry is not my strong suite but I can understand this! Thank you for making it so clear

[Naturamorpho]

Great info, crystal clear explanations, as always. Here's a suggestion for a topic that might be of interest for the begginers and the pros just as much: pitcher and teapot spouts and their fluid dynamics! how to make pitchers and teapots that don't drip on your table when you are proudly pouring from your own hand-made piece of work 😆

[Sheepdog]

thank you so much -- I am a beginner, still struggling with EVERYTHING...can you make a video about primitive firing? Great information....

[jenniehenriksson]

I'm interested in what's happening when we refiring a piece. I've heard that it is a critical process that may be break a piece. Interesting to hear why. Thanks for many good videos. /Sweden

[boredwools]

omg it took me too long to realize why there were a pair of shorts in the thumbnail hahahaha!

[freddiemoretti]

Thanks again!
1) I have been shutting the the peep hole in my wee test kiln(Paragon Q-11A) when the temp reaches 1750F + thinking that all the organic burn off should be done by then and I might be saving some heat build up. Am I mistaken, and would the burn off be the same for stoneware with or without grog?
2) Would it be any benefit to make a wee bung for the hole instead of using the swivel metal cap the kiln comes with?
I have successfully watched all of the Washington Street videos and now have a much better understanding of just how much I don't know. The education has been very valuable and I look forward to more videos in the future.
Cheers and be well...Freddie

[marianandtomyancey]

The videos cut off after about two items on the list. Is this on purpose, ? Is there some where to see all the list items addressed?

[cblue]

Why isn't the structural water as explosive as the absorbed/adsorbed water? If it breaks from the kaolin between 700-1200, wouldn't it expand the same as the H20 that turns to a gas at boilig point?

[karikarievans]

After the clay is burnt and grind into powder what can the burn grind clay powder be use for