Alexandra Kulijewicz on wed 14 aug 96
am trying to achieve good dispersion of soda/salt in kiln. would like to
avoid
gloppy look on pots where soda/salt has happened. how should soda/salt be
introduced? ...dry,paste,pebbles (ala gail nichols,Aus.)? should i use just
soda -
anybody using soda and salt?
alex
Dannon Rhudy on wed 14 aug 96
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>am trying to achieve good dispersion of soda/salt in kiln. would like to
>avoid
>gloppy look on pots where soda/salt has happened. how should soda/salt be
>introduced? ...dry,paste,pebbles (ala gail nichols,Aus.)? should i use just
>soda -
>anybody using soda and salt?
>
>alex
>
>
Alex,
The easiest method for introducing soda into the kiln that I've found: get
a garden sprayer, mix the soda into a saturated solution (meaning use HOT
water until the water won't hold more soda ) and spray into the kiln port.
It takes little time and keeps the soda from just dropping into a heap on
the kiln floor in front of the port.
Results excellent. Adjust the amount of soda to the size of the kiln,
divide it into two or three sprayings; leave perhaps 20 minutes or so
between applications.
Just use soda.
Dannon Rhudy
Marcia Selsor on wed 14 aug 96
I have used a one inch blow pipe to introduce salt (25lbs/firing).
Taught a workshop in Rock Springs , Wyo. using soda straight from the
mines. Try a funnel feed into a two inch "dog leg" pipe dropping dry
soda thru a port above the burners. Hopefully the kiln was built for
this. Slowly introduce about several pounds (dry powder) with the
damper closed down. Shut it while the soda vaporizes, clear when you
draw the test ring.
Marcia Selsor in Montana
gail@matra.com.au on thu 15 aug 96
Alex,
Have you had a look at Ruthanne Tudball's book, Soda Glazing? She discusses
various methods of introducing soda. Spraying in a liquid solution seems to
be the most widely used method. I mix soda bicarb, soda ash light and
calcite with water, and the mixture sets like plaster. I then put this set
stuff into the firebox, and I am very pleased with the results. Plus the
calcite has the added benefit of protecting my fireboxes. (more info on my
web page...see signature below)
John Britt has been experimenting with my method of introducing soda, and he
has tried adding borax and salt to the mix. He's another Clay Arter and you
can contact him at claydude@erinet.com
In my experience, soda does give more patchy results than salt. My advice
is to use this to advantage. The contrast of textures and colours that you
can get across one piece is well worth pursuing, rather than trying to
imitate a more even "salt"-type finish.
Good luck.
..............................................................
Gail Nichols gail@matra.com.au
SODA GLAZE CERAMICS http://www.matra.com.au/~gail/
Sydney, Australia
..............................................................
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