While adding a glaze to a piece of pottery isn’t necessary, it is recommended. A glaze adds a sealant that creates a glass-like appearance and a shine to your pottery.
It can make the pottery piece stain-resistant. Some pieces could also become food-safe when you add a proper glaze.
But it might be tough for you to get this working through primitive firing. The firing process here produces lower temperatures, making it tougher for you to add a glaze.
Primitive firing is a traditional form of firing that doesn’t require any extra materials or appliances to work. You won’t need to purchase a potentially expensive home kiln set to glaze your pottery here.
You can still add a polished finish similar to a glazed pottery piece through polishing stones. This guide will help you see what works when you’re aiming to manage your pottery the right way and how you can produce a glazed-like look to your content.
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How Does Primitive Firing Work?
Primitive firing works with a few steps:
- You’ll start by digging a hole about a foot deep. You can go deeper if you want to fire more items. You could also add rocks to the bottom and the sides to provide extra insulation, although that part is optional.
- Add the pottery you wish to glaze to the bottom of the hole. The pottery should feature a sturdy clay base, although you can also mix some sand into the pottery if you wish.
- Add coals over the pottery. The coals should completely cover the pottery.
- Add enough wood over the pottery. Be sure there’s a pathway for air to get under the logs to ensure the coals will stay warm. The wood must also be dry to ensure it can burn well.
- Copper sulfate or salt can go into your fire if you wish. These can add slight bits of color to your pottery when used well.
- Allow the heat to cool off after the fire dies out. Avoid touching the pottery, as it is at its most fragile during the cooling process. It can take several hours for the pottery to cool. Your best bet is to wait overnight before you take out the pottery.
The primitive glazing process produces a comfortable look, although it will not get hot enough to produce a glaze.
The material used here also comes from primitive sources. Coarse clay is often utilized in the process. The clay does not include any plastic materials or other polymers, although sand and other items may be incorporated for added texture or stability.
What Temperature Works for Glazing Clay Pottery?
The primitive firing process can produce intense temperatures. But they are not high enough to produce a glaze.
A primitive firing method can produce temperatures of about 800 degrees Fahrenheit or 430 degrees Celsius. The heat allows the pottery to solidify while still being impervious to water.
The primitive piece will still be sintered, meaning the material will become solid through the heat without causing liquefaction. The body will no longer falter or slump while in water.
But you would require a temperature of at least 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit or 590 degrees Celsius to produce a glaze. You can only get to that value if you use a kiln.
A kiln will vitrify the surface, meaning that the body will be converted into a glass body or a glass-like surface after being exposed to heat. The primitive process will not vitrify the surface, although it will still produce a firm body when you handle its surface the right way.
How Can You Add a Glaze-Like Look?
While you cannot glaze your pottery through a primitive firing method, you can still add a glaze-like appearance to your pottery if you use polishing stones. You can use this during the creation process to create a smooth body on your pottery piece.
You can use any naturally smooth stone in the process. You can find them at an arts and crafts store if necessary, although they may be naturally found near some riverbeds.
You can spin the pottery around a smooth stone while finishing its body. The pottery clay should still be wet enough to where the stone can create a good indentation on its body.
The goal should be to produce a smooth body that stays consistent and does not start breaking apart in the wrong places. You can let the pottery sit for a few hours after finishing to ensure the new design stays comfortable.
What About Tin Foil?
You could always add tin foil to your primitive firing method. You can add the foil around your pottery pieces before you add them to your firing hole.
The foil adds insulation and allows the temperature to go around the entire surface. But it will not amplify the heat, as it will only allow it to spread to create a consistent finish around the entire piece. But it will still be useful if you want to create something with a more dynamic look.
How To Tell the Temperature When Using Primitive Firing
The best way to tell the temperature of your primitive firing method is to use an infrared thermometer. You can utilize a portable thermometer that points at the fire to review its intensity.
It will review the heat generated through infrared signals and let you know how warm the primitive firing method becomes.
The firing effort will require a thermometer that can reach a high enough range for whatever fire you produce, so watch how well it can work when you see something effective.
Primitive firing is not always for everyone, as it requires effort and plenty of open space to work. You won’t produce the same glaze you could get from a traditional piece either. But the effort can be useful if you want to create something sturdy that can last for years to come.
Be certain when getting your primitive firing plan going that you have a clear idea of what you want to get out of your work.
