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salt/soda firing

updated sun 30 jun 96

 

LAMBERTSON JOHN on fri 14 jun 96

I started a salt fire class last night, and a few questions came up that
I thought some of you might be able to answer.

First, do you get different results based on what type of salt you use?
Has anyone tried using powdered minerals containing sodium(i.e. compounds
containing the element Na, sodium)?

Second, we had all heard of Soda firing, but none of us had done it. Do
you use baking soda, soda ash, or something else? Is this just another
variation on the Na theme?

Thanks en avance,

John

Dennis Tobin on sat 15 jun 96

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I started a salt fire class last night, and a few questions came up that
>I thought some of you might be able to answer.
>
>First, do you get different results based on what type of salt you use?
>Has anyone tried using powdered minerals containing sodium(i.e. compounds
>containing the element Na, sodium)?
>
>Second, we had all heard of Soda firing, but none of us had done it. Do
>you use baking soda, soda ash, or something else? Is this just another
>variation on the Na theme?
>
>Thanks en avance,
>
>John
JOHN

CHEK OUT AN ARTICLE ON THE WEB BY GAIL NICHOLS FROM AUSTRALIA, SHE MIXES
SODA ASH WITH SODA BICARBONATE AND CALCIUM CARBONATE BEFORE SHE PUTS INTO
THE KILN.

We have a 50 cubic foot soda kiln here at Miami U. of Ohio and we have been
spraying soda ash mixed with water into the kiln and getting pretty good
results. Last firing we sprayed in a mixture that contained 7-8 lbs of soda
ash with a garden sprayer.

By the way Lee Rexrode is doing a soda fire workshop here July 8-12.
Good luck,

Dennis Tobin

Gail Nichols on sat 15 jun 96


>First, do you get different results based on what type of salt you use?
>Has anyone tried using powdered minerals containing sodium(i.e. compounds
>containing the element Na, sodium)?
>
>Second, we had all heard of Soda firing, but none of us had done it. Do
>you use baking soda, soda ash, or something else? Is this just another
>variation on the Na theme?
>

John,

Soda firing---ie sodium vapour glazing using compounds other than sodium
chloride (table salt)--is practiced by quite a number of people around the
world, myself included. Have a look at Ruthanne Tudball's book, Soda
Glazing, for some useful information. Also, try my web page (URL below).

I use a combination of soda bicarbonate and soda ash (sodium carbonate).
The results are different from salt glaze, and you'll find the difference
will affect your choice of clay bodies and slips. What works great in salt
firing will probably not be so good for soda firing. Personally, I have
come to prefer the more uneven nature of soda glaze, as I feel it gives me a
lot of scope for experimenting with textures and firing effects.

If you do decide to go ahead with some soda firings, let me know. I'll try
to answer questions which will inevitably arise in the process.


Good luck.
..............................................................
Gail Nichols gail@matra.com.au
SODA GLAZE CERAMICS http://www.matra.com.au/~gail/
Sydney, Australia
..............................................................