Firing a clay product is the final and, at the same time, almost the most crucial stage of its processing. From how you cope with the task, the fruit of your labors will crumble to dust or will delight you for many years to come.
It is necessary
Muffle oven, cans, bricks, firewood
Instructions
Step 1
Dry the product before baking it. To do this, leave at room temperature in a shaded place, away from heating appliances and drafts - so that there are no temperature changes. After seven days, you can complete the drying process in the oven - leaving the door ajar, gradually increase the temperature to 200 degrees over two hours.
Step 2
Ideally, clay should be fired in a muffle furnace. Such stoves can be of various sizes, including compact ones that can be comfortably placed even in a room. Small electric ovens can be used in small workshops. To burn a product in such a stove, increase the temperature by 200-300 degrees every 4-5 hours. When the maximum temperature is 1000 degrees, start gradually lowering it. Take out the craft only after it has completely cooled down. The time and temperature of firing may vary depending on the type of clay and the size of the object.
Step 3
If the product is not large and it is not scary to spoil it, you can experiment and try to burn it over an open fire. Take two different sized cans. Use an awl to make several holes in them. Put the item in one of them, put the second on top. Place the jars with the product on a small brickwork and spread a fire around it so that the volume of firewood is approximately the same on all sides. Burn the product by adding logs. When the fire burns out and the coals have cooled down, you can take out the craft.
