Ceramic Firing In A Campfire

Things to know all of the above methods require low firing clay school pottery clay is fine.

Ceramic firing in a campfire.

This process is done typically in a hole in the ground or a pit pots are placed in the pit and burned. A first firing of this creates bisque or biscuit ware. It works as a kiln using a hole in the ground as insulation and fuel to reach temperatures around 2000 degrees farenheit. Smoke firing in a dustbin this is the method we tried.

Pit firing is an atmospheric process all of the colors and patterns are derived from the process and what is consume in the fire. Although individual clays vary in their maturation temperature most clays will become earthenware ceramics at around 700 celsius or about 1300 fahrenheit. As a ceramic major in school i was looking for ways to fire pieces at home and finally decided to try doing a fire pit firing the piece. This is the first firing i have ever tried to do at home.

Initially you need to set a campfire that has glowing red heat. Pit firing is the original method for baking clay. It dates back nearly 30 000 years ago. An ordinary clay can only be turned into a pottery masterpiece at a temperature of more than 1000 f.

Pit fire clay a traditional method of firing pots in a pit. Understand why clay needs firing. It is a sign that the fire is super hot up to. This is far hotter than a household oven will reach but a well built campfire can get that hot if you have a place where you can safely and legally build a fire.