Glaze and Raw Materials Information Page

Always make sure that you follow the manufacturer recommendations for any
supplies or materials used when making glazes or ceramics!  Many are toxic! ***

A. How to Make a Glaze:

 

1. A sieve

2. Some type of mixer, depending on the batch size you'll be making

3. A scale to weigh the glaze (preferably a triple beam scale)

4. Glaze chemicals or raw materials that are called for in the glaze recipe

5. A glaze recipe

6. An approved mask

7. Two containers that are large enough to hold the batch size of the glaze you'll be making.

 

B. Obtain a Glaze Recipe:

 

You can obtain a glaze recipe from a number of sources (a friend, glaze recipe book,
web site, etc.)  Just make sure the glaze recipe is formulated for your type of firing
and firing temp, along with your clay body.  Glaze recipes typically total 100.  An
example is below.

Ingredient A: 15%

Ingredient B: 10%

Ingredient C: 25%

Ingredient D: 50%

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Total            100%

 
C. Decide On The Glaze Batch Size You Want to Make:

Set your GlazeCal sliding calculator to the glaze batch size you've decided to make
make sure you set this on both pieces of the calculator). All of your glaze
calculations are complete!  Easily flip through to find the correct weight, of each ingredient (in the glaze recipe), under it's corresponding percentage.  

It may be beneficial to test the glaze recipe in small batches of 500grams, before
making a large batch.  You'll want to make sure the glaze will work for your
project.

 

 D. Mix and Sieve Your New Glaze!

 

You can mix the glaze batch with many different items.  Make sure your method is safe.  Always wear a recommended mask and other required protective equipment (as
recommended by the manufacturers of the glaze ingredients or any other materials
while handling any glaze materials.  Many of them are toxic. 

 

Before mixing, you will need to add small increments of water to your batch, until it reaches the desired level of thickness.  This is usually to the consistency of milk. 
Mix well.

 

It's a good idea to let your glaze sit for about 24 hours to make sure all of the
particles have had a chance to get "wet."

 

After the glaze has had a chance to sit, you should sieve it at least 3 times to make
sure there aren't any clumps and that the glaze is smooth.  (You probably don't want to be dunking a pot for good even thickness, only to bring it up and find a big hunk of
raw materials stuck to the side)  To sieve: put a sieve over a clean glaze container
(one large enough to hold the batch size you just made, including the water you
just added).  Pour the glaze through the sieve and squeeze the materials, that remain, through the sieve with an object such as a rubber rib.  Repeat twice more.

 

E. Applying a Glaze

Glazes can be applied to ware in several ways.  Again, make sure you are following recommended manufacturer guidelines for handling the raw materials you are using!

You can dip a pot into a glaze container or pour a glaze over your ware.  You can
even spray or brush a glaze on your ware. 

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 Information on this page is for guidance purposes only.  All information should be verified through a reliable
source, as appropriate for accuracy.