Doug Loveland on wed 2 oct 96
I have only been back into clay for a year or so, and held my first pit
fire in July. Had some wonderful results, and now I'm hooked.
Any tips on the pit fire I'll be hosting on the 19th Oct? We'll be
doing brick sawdust kilns, a pit fire and raku. Should we clamp the pit
fire tight or allow enough air to keep it burning hot? Any interesting
effects anyone can recommend? Rock salt and copper sulfate will be
used, anything else? Anyone with experience with oily rags as reducing
combustibles, as I've read about somewhere...sounds dangerous.
Doug Loveland
On the Banks of the Thames, London ....................Ontario
Phil Davenport on fri 4 oct 96
Doug:
Concerning the pit firing- You might try wraping the pieces with copper
wire. You might also try using banana peels wrapped around the pots-
there is some chemical used on the bananas that will affect the reduction
process. Have you tried different types of wood shavings or sawdust?
How about cow dung?
Good Luck!!
Phil Davenport
Garland, Texas
On Wed, 2 Oct 1996, Doug Loveland wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I have only been back into clay for a year or so, and held my first pit
> fire in July. Had some wonderful results, and now I'm hooked.
>
> Any tips on the pit fire I'll be hosting on the 19th Oct? We'll be
> doing brick sawdust kilns, a pit fire and raku. Should we clamp the pit
> fire tight or allow enough air to keep it burning hot? Any interesting
> effects anyone can recommend? Rock salt and copper sulfate will be
> used, anything else? Anyone with experience with oily rags as reducing
> combustibles, as I've read about somewhere...sounds dangerous.
>
> Doug Loveland
> On the Banks of the Thames, London ....................Ontario
>
Grace Epstein on wed 17 jun 98
Has anyone out there pit fired clay scupture attached to its wooden armature
!?
Grace
in monsoon/CT
Robert Santerre on fri 19 jun 98
Grace,
I'm not sure what information you're seeking. I've built and fired clay
sculptures using a wooden armature. I fire in an electric kiln, a standard
bisque firing to cone 06. I was a little anxious the first time, but it =
worked
fine. I dried the piece very well then dried further at 200 degrees F for =
about
8 hrs and fired slowly (100 degrees/hr) to 800 F, then 200 F/hr to 1850 F.
Actually the biggest problem I have is during the construction, cracking as =
the
clay drys and shrinks down around the armature, which doesn't shrink. I =
just
work slowly and fill in cracks with paper clay as they develop (actually the
entire sculptures are made with paper clay, that probably keeps the cracking=
to
a minimum, but believe me major cracking will happen anyway, just be patient=
and
keep filling in until the piece is fully dried). Hope that helps. Haven't
tried to pit fire, but I can't think of any reason why that method of firing
would present any particular problems. I believe the basic rules (1. dry
verrrry well, 2. fire slowly to burn out the wood) should apply.
Bob
rfsanterre=40iquest.net
----------
From: Grace Epstein=5BSMTP:Gracedart=40aol.com=5D
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 1998 7:33 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list CLAYART
Subject: PIT FIRE
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Has anyone out there pit fired clay scupture attached to its wooden armature
=21?
Grace
in monsoon/CT
Grace Epstein on sat 20 jun 98
Bob,
Thanks for your info...I talked with another local potter and we discussed the
same issues of shrinkage. his suggestion was to pad the wooden armature with
lots of newspaper before laying on the slabs of clay so that as it shrinks it
won't attach to the armature / crack. He also suggested a slow sawdust firing
to dry it out and then to use the hotter pit firing...all very similar to what
you had suggested. Now I just have to figure out at day camp where i plan to
do this how is this firing going to be supervised since the pit is at "nature
activity" far away from the art shack where i am !
Wish me and all the camp pyros luck !
Thanks, Grace
Grace Epstein on thu 13 aug 98
clayart:
Is it possible to obtain interesting coloration on pots during a pit firing (
bonfire ) without using oxides, but just salts ?
Grace
Ardis Bourland on fri 14 aug 98
I recently saw some pots that were pit fired with much pink flashing. It was
done by sprinkling copper carbonate on seaweed and laying it over the pots as
you stack them in the ground. It was beautiful but I've never tried it myself
so I can't give you any more details.
Ardis
Dannon Rhudy on fri 14 aug 98
It absolutely is, and I find them the most interesting/delicate
of possibilities. Using only sea salt, epsom salts, perhaps other
salts, sawdust
(NOT from treated wood) and various grasses/seaweed etc.,
one can achieve remarkable surfaces. Colors can range from
delicate pinks and lavenders through rich reds and blacks, and
a variety in between. Try stuff - you'll like it.
Dannon Rhudy
potter@koyote.com
----------
> From: Grace Epstein
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: pit fire
> Date: Thursday, August 13, 1998 4:54 PM
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> clayart:
> Is it possible to obtain interesting coloration on pots during a pit
firing (
> bonfire ) without using oxides, but just salts ?
> Grace
vikki dow on thu 22 apr 99
Hi Clayart buddies
I have been asked to teach some clay classes at a local YMCA that I used to
work at before I quit to be a potter full time. One of the classes is
actually a week long camp and the kids are supposed to do a pit fire with
the pieces that they make. The thing is that I have never actually done a
pit fire myself, let alone with 8-40 campers. Does anyone have a book
suggestion or a resource that can guide me through the steps?
Thank for any help !
Libby
Stilltree Pottery
Numo Jaeger & Michael Miller on fri 23 apr 99
There is a section on a pit firing workshop on my website which visually
describes part of the pit firing process.
Web site:
Numo Jaeger
Studio One Art Center
Oakland CA.
Dorothy Weber on fri 23 apr 99
Check out web site ceramics.miningco.com and click under techniques there is
an illustrated section on pit firing.
Hope this is helpful
John Weber
Manakin-Sabot, Va.
Marcia Selsor on fri 23 apr 99
The pit firings we do in Montana use cow dung. This is what I have done for
classes as big as 25.
Dig a pit about 2' deep with a ledge or rocks to hold a graye bout 6" above
the bottom. Build a good solid fire in the pit using 2x4 scrap,
logs, whatever to create a nice bed of coals. While this fire is burning, line
the egde of the pit with the 'to be fired' pots. Roate them preheated fashion.
When the bed of coals is ready, drop the grate into place. Put the pots on the
grate gently.Cover the whole thing with
dried "frisbie-quality" cow pies maybe 2-3 feet thick. Let it smolder until it
bursts into flames and goes out. The finesse may include covering with ashes
or dirt for guaranteed reduction or additives of horse manure for riched
blacks. I personally like some flashing.
Use clay with some pumice added for burnished pieces (grog scratchs).
Marcia in Montana
vikki dow wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi Clayart buddies
>
> I have been asked to teach some clay classes at a local YMCA that I used to
> work at before I quit to be a potter full time. One of the classes is
> actually a week long camp and the kids are supposed to do a pit fire with
> the pieces that they make. The thing is that I have never actually done a
> pit fire myself, let alone with 8-40 campers. Does anyone have a book
> suggestion or a resource that can guide me through the steps?
>
> Thank for any help !
>
> Libby
>
> Stilltree Pottery
--
Marcia Selsor
selsor@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls/spain99.html
Ted Eisenstein on sat 24 apr 99
>>When the bed of coals is ready, drop the grate into place. Put the pots on the
grate gently.Cover the whole thing with
dried "frisbie-quality" cow pies maybe 2-3 feet thick. Let it smolder until it
bursts into flames and goes out. The finesse may include covering with ashes
or dirt for guaranteed reduction or additives of horse manure for riched
blacks. I personally like some flashing.<<
Out of curiosity, what should you use if there are no cow pies, horse
manure, or other similar items available?
Would sawdust work? Short pieces of kindling? Leaves?
Newspapers? Most types of wood?
Ted Eisenstein
Numo Jaeger & Michael Miller on sun 25 apr 99
I was down in Oaxaca, Mexico with Eric Mendling last year learning how the
Zapotec women potters made their work. They used what ever they had around
to fuel the fire.
Pretty impressive! Not one single piece broke.
Numo Jaeger
Studio One Art Center
Oakland CA
Joseph Carames on sat 1 may 99
THE BOOK YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS:
Finding One's Way With Clay
the author is :
Paulus Berensohn
Publisher :
Buscuit Books
9016 Diplomacy Roe
Dallas, Tx 75247
COST : $26.50
ISBN : 0-9657773-0-8
On Thu, 22 Apr 1999 13:00:20 EDT vikki dow
writes:
>----------------------------Original
>message----------------------------
>Hi Clayart buddies
>
>I have been asked to teach some clay classes at a local YMCA that I
>used to
>work at before I quit to be a potter full time. One of the classes is
>actually a week long camp and the kids are supposed to do a pit fire
>with
>the pieces that they make. The thing is that I have never actually
>done a
>pit fire myself, let alone with 8-40 campers. Does anyone have a book
>suggestion or a resource that can guide me through the steps?
>
>Thank for any help !
>
>Libby
>
>Stilltree Pottery
>
___________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html
or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
Peter Linford on mon 3 may 99
--
----------
>From: Joseph Carames
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>Subject: Re: Pit fire
>Date: Sun, May 2, 1999, 3:10 am
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> THE BOOK YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS:
>
> Finding One's Way With Clay
>
> the author is :
>
> Paulus Berensohn
>
> Publisher :
>
> Buscuit Books
> 9016 Diplomacy Roe
> Dallas, Tx 75247
>
> COST : $26.50
>
> ISBN : 0-9657773-0-8
>
>
> On Thu, 22 Apr 1999 13:00:20 EDT vikki dow
> writes:
>>----------------------------Original
>>message----------------------------
>>Hi Clayart buddies
>>
>>I have been asked to teach some clay classes at a local YMCA that I
>>used to
>>work at before I quit to be a potter full time. One of the classes is
>>actually a week long camp and the kids are supposed to do a pit fire
>>with
>>the pieces that they make. The thing is that I have never actually
>>done a
>>pit fire myself, let alone with 8-40 campers. Does anyone have a book
>>suggestion or a resource that can guide me through the steps?
>>
>>Thank for any help !
>>
>>Libby
>>
>>Stilltree Pottery
>>
>
> ___________________________________________________________________
> You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
> Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html
> or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
>
Hi there from a new member
another good book with lots of info on pit firing is:-
EXPLORING FIRE and CLAY
man, fire, and clay through the ages
by ARNE BJORN 1969
published by Van Nostrand Reinhold Co.
Lib. of Congress Cat. Card No. 72-118559
sorry for the delay in replying, hope this may be of use if you can track it
down.
Peter the potter.
the art farm on tue 22 may 01
i have just joined the list.
i am a potter just beginning to explore the more earthy aspects of clay.
i have just finished digging a grey clay which fires red at 04-03 in an
electric kiln.
i am interested in eliminating all modern conviences and using a natural
fuel.
i would like to experiment with a pit fire, and would like to hear any
suggestions from someone with experience.
Ron Collins on tue 22 may 01
make some tiny test pieces that require no time, and just do it....there's
no mystery to it.....work up to larger pieces.....but the thing is....go
ahead and start trying things....you will learn as you go, and no matter
what the advice, you will learn more by doing....
Martin Howard on wed 23 may 01
Ron Collins gives good advice. Learn by doing.
But it is a great help if you can take part in a pit firing set up by
someone else with experience.
Here in East Anglian Potters Association we regularly have a summer camp at
the farm of one of our members. We then have a pit fire, a Roman kiln, a
soda kiln, a salt kiln, a wood kiln and raku. So anyone can take part and
become quite an expert in the workings of their particularly kiln method
over the weekend.
Martin Howard
Webb's Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
England
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
http://www.webbscottage.co.uk
Denise Bohart on tue 21 aug 01
I had my first experience with pit firing this weekend, with great
results. The woman who runs the workshop has been doing it for
years, and other than a few hairline cracks, I'm thrilled with my
pieces.
But I'm curious. Her staple "ingredients" for the fire here in
Northern California are eucalyptus wood to burn, and seawood on the
pots. What do others use in parts of the country/world where these
are not available?
Thanks,
Denise
Davis, CA
--
************************
Denise Bohart
UC Davis Craft Center
Photo/Ceramics Manager
Marcia Selsor on tue 21 aug 01
Cow dung and horse manure in Montana sealed with ash. Horse urine soaked sawdust
(dried)
Marcia in Montana
Denise Bohart wrote:
> I had my first experience with pit firing this weekend, with great
> results. The woman who runs the workshop has been doing it for
> years, and other than a few hairline cracks, I'm thrilled with my
> pieces.
>
> But I'm curious. Her staple "ingredients" for the fire here in
> Northern California are eucalyptus wood to burn, and seawood on the
> pots. What do others use in parts of the country/world where these
> are not available?
>
> Thanks,
> Denise
> Davis, CA
> --
> ************************
>
> Denise Bohart
> UC Davis Craft Center
> Photo/Ceramics Manager
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Earl Brunner on tue 21 aug 01
Sawdust, dried cow dung, are a couple of alternatives.
Denise Bohart wrote:
> I had my first experience with pit firing this weekend, with great
> results. The woman who runs the workshop has been doing it for
> years, and other than a few hairline cracks, I'm thrilled with my
> pieces.
>
> But I'm curious. Her staple "ingredients" for the fire here in
> Northern California are eucalyptus wood to burn, and seawood on the
> pots. What do others use in parts of the country/world where these
> are not available?
>
> Thanks,
> Denise
> Davis, CA
> --
> ************************
>
> Denise Bohart
> UC Davis Craft Center
> Photo/Ceramics Manager
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
>
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec/
bruec@anv.net
Rick Brady on wed 22 aug 01
Denise,
I'm in Northern California as well and pit fire 200 to 300 hundred pots a year at my mountain home east of Angles Camp. This years early fire season has left me with a lot of pots waiting for the first rains of fall and a return to open burning. Any way, I use a lot of copper carbonate and Ironite (and sometimes a little dog food) in my pit fires sprinkled right on top of my sawdust base. I also decorate most of my pots with copper wire and/or Chor-Boy copper mesh. The wood is generally cedar and fir which is readily available here in the mountains. The wood is dry and the fire burns very hot. My process usually takes about 24 hours from start to pulling the pots from the pit. Depending on size, I fire between 25 and 30 pots at a time. Loss due to thermal shock is about 10%. I always cover the pit with tin after the fire burns down and don't pull the pots until they are cool to the touch. All my pots are either burnished with a stone or polished with terra sig. The best th
ing about pit firing is that it's easy to try different things to see how the pots respond. Be creative but DON'T fall in love with any pot until it survives the pit.
If you send me your snail mail address, I'll send you a copy of a flyer I've put together which describes my process. Happy pit firing.
PS: I took a raku class at the Craft Center at UCD about four years ago when my daughter was a student there. She graduated in June of last year and is now a PCV in Bolivia.
Rick Brady
Pleasanton, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Denise Bohart [mailto:denise@DAVIS.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 3:28 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Pit Fire
I had my first experience with pit firing this weekend, with great
results. The woman who runs the workshop has been doing it for
years, and other than a few hairline cracks, I'm thrilled with my
pieces.
But I'm curious. Her staple "ingredients" for the fire here in
Northern California are eucalyptus wood to burn, and seawood on the
pots. What do others use in parts of the country/world where these
are not available?
Thanks,
Denise
Davis, CA
--
************************
Denise Bohart
UC Davis Craft Center
Photo/Ceramics Manager
______________________________________________________________________________
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Martin Howard on wed 22 aug 01
In UK we have been using any kind of wood available, usually the waste pine
from farm storage boxes etc. so long as it is dry and cut quite fine.
Copper wire and banana skins provide interesting glaze markings. Any fruit
contains interesting substances.
Of course, handfuls of mineral oxides also help, but are fairly wasteful.
Martin Howard
Webb's Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
England
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
http://www.webbscottage.co.uk
Dennis Freeman on sun 26 aug 01
on 8/21/01 4:28 PM, Denise Bohart at denise@DAVIS.COM wrote:
> I had my first experience with pit firing this weekend, with great
> results. The woman who runs the workshop has been doing it for
> years, and other than a few hairline cracks, I'm thrilled with my
> pieces.
>
> But I'm curious. Her staple "ingredients" for the fire here in
> Northern California are eucalyptus wood to burn, and seawood on the
> pots. What do others use in parts of the country/world where these
> are not available?
>
> Thanks,
> Denise
> Davis, CA
Here in SW Wyoming, it's juniper wood (burns dry & hot w/o pitch), horse
manure and sawdust to reduce. - Dennis in Wyo.
Kim Marie on sun 24 mar 02
When I took a workshop, we added salt and copper sulfate into the fire.
Does anyone use other things and if so, what might they be?
Tanks
Kim in still snowy Spafford, NY
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John Guerin on mon 25 mar 02
In a message dated 3/25/02 6:22:47 AM Central Standard Time,
kmarie@ODYSSEY.NET writes:
<< When I took a workshop, we added salt and copper sulfate into the fire.
Does anyone use other things and if so, what might they be?
Tanks
Kim in still snowy Spafford, NY >>
Copper carbonate
Rock salt
Vermiculite
John Guerin
Tucson, AZ
Jeff Tsai on tue 26 mar 02
Hi Kim,
I usually use copper carbonate and rock salts. I also regularly use red
copper oxide, red iron oxide, small amounts of cobalt carbonate (which
actually works best if sprayed on), copper wires, iron filings, steel wool,
and hay or sawdust soaked in a copper carbonate and salt mixture.
To a very lesser extent, I've tried miricle grow, low fire glazes, and
sprinkled gerstley borate. I usually do these in barrel firings that I know
will get much hotter than most pit firings.
-jeff
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