Pit firing is one of the oldest pottery firing methods, involving placing pottery in a pit filled with wood, sawdust, leaves, minerals, or organic materials. As the pit burns, smoke and flame create unique patterns on the clay surface. Pottery made through pit firing has natural, earthy markings and is often left unglazed.
Pit firing
Pottery Tips, Techniques & Ceramic Resources for All Skill Levels
Get inspired and learn from the experts with our growing collection of pottery and ceramic tutorials. From glaze application and clay selection to kiln firing and surface design, these resources share real-world techniques to help you improve your craft and get better results in your studio.
Glaze Questions FAQ
Can I layer glazes?
Yes you can layer glazes. We always recommend doing a test tile to make sure you are getting the result you want.
How do I choose the right glaze for my project?
Match the glaze cone with the clay cone you have purchased (i.e. if you purchased CC547CT Wonder White Cone 06 clay you’ll want to choose cone 06 low fires glazes)
What’s the difference between low fire and midrange glazes?
Low-fire glazes are fired to cone 06 (~1852° – 2000° F) and mid-range glazes require a higher fire to cone 6 (~2158° – 2266° F).
Why did my glaze run, crawl, pinhole, blister, or craze?
There could be several reasons why – but the main reasons are improper application, incompatible materials, or firing issues.
How do I test a new glaze?
We recommend testing all new glazes on a test tile to make sure you are getting the results you want.
How much glaze do I need for a specific project?
It depends on the size of your project. We recommend one pint per 6-8 mugs (inside and out) when brushing for average coverage. If you naturally apply thick or thin, it may cover less or more.
Do you offer glaze sample sets?
Yes! We offer sample sets in all of our glaze lines.
Are your glazes food safe?
Lots of glazes are food safe, but we have some that aren’t. Please check the website and/or glaze bottle to see if the glaze you are wanting or have are food safe.
How does application thickness affect results?
It can affect color, texture and durability of your ceramic pieces – and can also be a reason for why your glaze is running, pinholing and/or crazing. Each company has different instructors for their glazes, so following the glaze bottle instructions will be the most helpful in how thick to apply the glaze.
Why does my finished piece not match the sample photo?
It could be several reasons including – application thickness, firing schedule, and lighting of the actual photo itself.
Can I use underglaze with any clay?
You can use underglaze with any clay that is in the same firing range (so if an underglaze is cone 06-6 then you could use cone 06 or cone 6 clay) – although the firing results may be different for cone 06 and cone 6.