Raku Process
The thermal shock resistance of the clay body used in our firepots lends itself to production raku or "fire magic". Raku is a Japanese method of decoration that involves a second firing and cooling to produce an interesting crackle effect to the glaze. During this process the kiln is starved of oxygen to cause reduction - for example green copper oxide is reduced to red copper
Traditionally this is a very time-consuming process used only by studio potters. However, our clay can be heated and cooled rapidly without cracking, enabling us to manufacture the world's first production raku units. The firepots are produced in quantity, but the many variables involved in raku firing make each one unique - colour distribution and glaze crackle will never be exactly alike.
Firing technique
Rapidly brought to 1830oF,the pots are immediately removed, glowing from the kiln and plunged into woodshavings. They are then doused with water while still at 1290oF, withstanding thermal shock many times more violent than will be incurred in everyday use. Raku is traditionally confined to small pieces in a studio environment - only the special clay-body makes Raku possible on this scale. Earthfire manufactures the only such production Raku items in the world.
