SIMON LEACH - Raku firing in progress !!

www.simonleachpottery.com......Short clip here of me dancing around the kiln ! ....KEEP PRACTICING ! SL

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[jpivovar]

Been watching this Raku series with interest. Stopped by snow & ice building my outdoor wood kiln, but this is an inspiration to keep going with another approach! Can you tell us about how long it takes to get the kiln to temp? And about how much propane? Thanks so much for all your inspirations :)

[sleachpots]

@jpivovar The kiln takes about 2 hours to get up to temp ,30 min warm up . going steady , not rushing , that includes about 30 min warm up. Quantity of propane i cant tell you but what i can say is that from a 40Lb propane bottle expect around 10 firings . SL

[skindawg16]

slow down. whats the rush ?

[sleachpots]

@skindawg16... one has to get the pots out when the glaze is at its optimium melt !! If you are too slow some pots go "over" their best . Thats the problems with firing off 9 pots at a time ! ...but keeps ya fit !!!!! SL

[DASRAY]

Wow Simon,

I barely saw any flames at all?

Is this why your blacks come out so deep?

many of us let it flame up for a min and then cap it off, you do burp the cans don't you?

Great clip thanks, excited to see final product!

[sleachpots]

@DASRAY ....I like the blackness, gives contrast . I havent opened the cans after placing pots in but leave them there for 2 hours ,then I take out & wash off , no quenching with lots of drama & fizz I'm afraid ! but the results you see ! lots of experiments one can do here of course ! SL

[PotteryGarage]

"...and out the door." Indoor/outdoor raku...sounds like a new sport! Whatever happened to your lovely place in Spain and your lovely family, and what news of your brothers, especially Jeremy back at the old homestead? Have you relocated to the US? Concerned fans want to know!

[ceramicrat13]

I thought I posted a comment but maybe it didnt work..either way, is it possible to do once fire raku?

[DASRAY]

I don't quench either but we do brup the cans and restart them with lighter and more newspaper, think I'll try leaving them alone, thats simpler anyhow!

Except for excitement to see results, but what ever gets that nice black is what I want!

Thanks Simon

[clearvision5]

That raku kiln seems to have worked out very nicely :) I like how convenient it seems to lift off the lid and replace with one hand while grabbing the ware. Well Done!

[DASRAY]

Thank you so much for the direct reply as I know you're busy!

You usually answer most of my quetions in your clips anyways!

Looking forward as always!

Thanks again Simon, you are terrific!

[janelowth]

Thank you so much, I will be able to experiment more when I have built my own kiln. Just ordering safe ceramic blanket online now, and plan to throw some buttons later this week. It's still pretty cold for outdoor activities in Kent, but I'm looking forward to a spring time of raku fun! Jane

[sleachpots]

The glaze is fully molten when I take it out but is cooling rapidly . I place in wood shavings not sawdust , the chips / shavings do not scar the soft glaze so much . Straw is very good by the way I have found . Maybe dont put straight into the sawdust but wait a few seconds before placing in the bin. good luck ! SL