![]() ![]() Everything about this kiln was different, but I was able to adapt and deepen my understanding of firing soda kilns. In Winter of 2019, I began soda firing again at Northern Clay Center in the small down draft kiln. In Spring of 2019 I graduated from UWRF and took a short hiatus from soda firing to pursue wood firing as a cheaper alternative. Through generous funding from URSCA (Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity) at UWRF, I was able to research the relationship between these three things and form a deeper understanding of the effect that they have on each other. During my third and fourth year at UWRF I really began to delve deeper into trying to understand soda firing and how atmosphere, materials, and soda ash all affect each other. The slips that I used yielding exciting colors and captured the movement of the flame. My first firings were rough, but the results kept me coming back for more every time. This is where my dialogue with soda firing began I had my first soda firings in this kiln only knowing to follow the lead of what my friends did while salt firing. During my third semester at UWRF we laid the final bricks to the chimney. Soon after, due to heavy use on the University communal cross draft kiln, as a class we brought down the kiln and began rebuilding it. I didn’t partake too much in the actual firing but was so excited about the results. My friends invited me to participate in their salt firing in this kiln I remember staying up late, past dark loading the kiln and how joyous that time was. In 2015, during my first semester of undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, I had my first experience in the salt / soda kiln. The soda ash also interacts with the alumina and metal oxides within the wares these in conjunction with the silica, atmosphere of the kiln and amount of soda ash built up can create a variety of colors, textures, and surfaces. As it moves along, it begins to glaze the wares inside the kiln chamber as it is attracted to the silica within the clays, slips, and glazes. When the soda ash is introduced, due to the intense heat, vaporizes and is carried throughout the kiln with the path of the flame. Ways of introducing this into the kiln include spraying soda ash dissolved in water (the method that I utilize), dumping a solid mixture of soda ash and whiting into the fire box (Gail Nichols method), or putting it on wood to be added to the kiln. Sodium Bicarbonate, otherwise known as baking soda, can be used as an alternative. Soda firing is a process in which soda ash, otherwise known as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is introduced into the kiln at or near the peak temperature of the firing. ![]()
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