Raku

Raku firing is expressive, exciting, and fun. Whether you’re firing in your own studio, or taking part in a group firing at a school, workshop or community center, raku offers many rewards. But the process requires more than just enthusiasm; you’ll  need some reliable recipes in addition to the proper equipment and tools to make the event successful.

When most potters in the West think of raku firing, they think of what should technically be referred to as “American” or “Western” raku: a process in which work is removed from the kiln at bright red heat and subjected to post-firing reduction (or smoking) by being placed in containers of combustible materials, which blackens raw clay and causes crazing in the glaze surface. This is the definition we use and we have gathered recipes that will appeal to the novice and the expert alike. The late Harold McWhinnie stated that all raku glazes are relatively simple formulations, but even when working with a few recipes that are similar in composition, it is possible to come up with variations that are very exciting. Here, you’ll find recipes and a few suggestions on how to tweak them to come up with great results.