What is Soda Firing?

Soda Firing is a type of atmospheric firing. In atmospheric firing, we introduce chemicals like wood ash, soda ash or salt into a gas kiln that volatizes in the atmosphere of the kiln and swirls throughout, settling on pots as it is carried by the flames. Think of it as air borne glaze that covers the pots and everything else inside.

The kiln actually helps in glazing the work, which means as a maker I have to release a certain amount of control over the final work, which as a ceramic artist can be really difficult!

I use flashing slips, brushed on liquid clays to coat the pots, because of their ability to react to flames in the firing, which add the oranges and yellows on the surface where the soda in the atmosphere doesn’t land. While I make the work, I choose accents to glaze and can guess at the final product, but the kiln has the final agency over the work. Opening the kiln is like reintroducing myself to old friends who have changed and grown apart from me. This process involves a lot of extra steps while firing than using an electric kiln, which means they take much longer to create, but I love the outcome and the thrill it gives me!