Most of my work is fired in the Sisters Salt Kiln at my studio in Sisters, OR. Salt firing varies from a regular gas firing in the atmospheric conditions found within the kiln during the firing and the look of the finished work. Salt glazing creates a unique and distinctive “orange peel” texture on the finished pieces. To the best of my knowledge, my salt kiln is the only one in Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains.

Salt is thrown into the kiln at high temperatures (about 2200° F). The salt volatizes at the high temperatures and breaks down elementally. The silica present in the clay body attracts the now free sodium molecules from the salt to recombine on the surface of the piece and create the glaze effects on the finished work.

The typical glazes used for pottery are not needed for salt firing. The qualities of the clay bodies and special slips made with various clays are used for surface color and effects. Wood ash is often sprinkled over the pieces to create more runny, fluid effects.

I do a "low salt" firing which means a minimal amount of salt (about 2-3 pounds per firing) is used to glaze the work. This gives the pieces a rougher texture when a clay body that is high in iron is used; or a beautiful orange-peachy blushing with the white stoneware clay body that I also use.

The salt firing process is corrosive to the kiln and the kiln furniture (shelves, posts, etc.) and makes it a more expensive process in that the kiln must be rebuilt and the kiln furniture replaced more frequently. It takes about a day of work to get the kiln ready for a firing. I also lose shelves at an alarming rate! The extra costs of this kind of firing have to be factored into the price of my work. It is worth it though for the uniqueness of the finished pieces.