Micro Wave Kiln Raku Tests
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- I created this video in response to a problem a viewer was having with Raku in her Micro Wave kiln. Let me know if there is anything else I can do or if you have suggestion/answers to any of the problems. If you find this video helpful, please hit the "Like" button and subscribe to my channel. Thanks for watching, Capt Mike
Thanks for you Video, as a Potter i may have a hint , concerning the difference between dipping and brushing: normally brushing creates rather thin layers , dipping creates rather thicker layers, depending on the amount of water you may add to the Glaze.
The crystals found in one of the glazes are normal for some type of low fired glazes as e.g. raku glazes, because the alkalimetals in it will tend to form crystals with other parts of the glaze, when stored for longer periods. Don't leave them aside, dont filter them out, you can and you should sieve these glaze through a fine sieve (320 mesh), available at most good pottery mags. When you separate these crystals you will change the composition of the glaze and the glaze will not come out nicely, they belong to the receipt. It is recommended to sieve any glaze before using, just to homogenize all the particles in the batch. To have "ready to go" Glazes , does not mean, that the water content is fitting the intentions of the Potter, you can delute the Glaze with some water to ensure thinner coatings. This will also reduce bubbles, and it also will reduce bubbles and craters when you keep the piece you fire for some minutes more in the kiln, just to prolong the time the Glaze is really Liquid, so gases stored in the body of the ceramic piece underneath have enough time to pass through the glaze....
Never fire a damp piece of clay, cause evaporating water may explode and may even ruin your Kiln and other pieces inside,and as you already experienced, it will chip of the glaze.
Cheers!😉
Thanks for the pro tips! I know some of them are new to me. We are always learning and that is what makes me happy! Feel free to give advise and or corrections to my videos whenever you see the need.
This was great help in understanding how reduction works and how to achieve the colors your after when doing raku glazes. Thanks a million.
Thank you for watching!
Oh YES! My dream video! Thanks Capt Mike :D
Thanks for watching!
Thank you!
Thank you for watching!
This was a super helpful video Capt Mike! I teach high school sculpture and ceramics and have been thinking about making some tiny pendant style pieces in our microwave kiln. You did an awesome job with all of this research! Thank you for making all of this effort and capturing it on video for all of us! I love your channel! I wish I could come learn more about glass fusing from you!
I would be more that glad to assist in any way I can with your project. I would be glaad to donate a few pieces of compatable glass for the project, along with any help you might need. I have a private facebook channel here facebook.com/groups/161038851286152 and will be glad to accept you as a member. I't safer to send names and addresses through messenger.
@@CaptMike you are so kind! I'll be sure to join the group! Thanks Capt Mike.
Thank you for you microwave kiln videos, I will definitely be experimenting with my now. The crazing could be caused by the clay body itself as some clay just don’t react well with certain glazes.
Thanks for the tip and for watching the video.
Great VIdeo Thank you .more please more! Love Raku
Thanks for watching!
Dipping only needs one coat, so maybe you were over coating it. It also depends on how much water is in the mix. If you make them from dry mixes and add your own water content you can determine how you'll use the glaze and add the appropriate amount of water based on that.
I imagine the firing temperature you manage to get to matters, but I'm not sure if I'm over or under firing my pieces. I saw in another video you were using some kind of temperature probe? I looked into buying something like that but the options were very confusing.
I think also the size of the piece matters, because you need enough heat in there to get the reduction chamber going. (When I did smaller pieces or fragments of something that broke, they didn't really react at all)
I did not use the temp probe on these tests as the probe is not that accurate. I just fired the kiln to the same time for consistency. The mass of the piece being fired does matter. The more mass the longer it will retain heat.
Yeah this is just the first piece Ive fired, so I am trying to narrow down the variables. the glaze says 900-1000 C and Ive no idea where Im getting to relative to that. Will do more experiments but would just be nice to know whether Im in that range so I can focus on other variables. Like I could be anywhere from 800-1100 because I dont have the experience to do it by colour any more acurately than that
Could the ladies microwave be damaged in making the first two pieces and now there's uneven heating/microwave distribution. Some manufacturers microwaves are more reliable than others even for food cooking. It's possibly that lesser m'waves may not like the temperatures reached with the kilns
I had not given that any thought, but it is possible.
Is it work firing on low watt microwave..? The voltage around : 220v-50Hz. Is it work..?
What type of clay do you use please?
The slip I use id mostly low fire (conr 04) clay. I do use different clay bodies (solid clay) depending on what type of glaze I will be using. But remember reguardless of whether you use low, middle, high or porcelin clay it all first bisques to cone 04)
nice,I would like to know what minimum microwave power is needed to obtain the clay firing temperature ...
I have used everything from a 600 watt up to a 1500 watt. The less watts the longer it will take to heat up.
@@CaptMike thanks, i have used it at 800 watts and after 20 minutes the clay is not fired at all
@@bertodichi3078 Is your MW set to "High" 20 minutes is plenty even for a 600 watt.
That armadillo is contaminated. I use it all the time, usually as accents, but it should NOT look like that straight out the jug. Strangely enough that's similar to what the texture looks like if you use a single coat or maybe two light coats, it gets that flaky texture but only after firing and reducing
I just gave up on that glaze. Thanks for the comment!
Can you put a second layer for a drippy look?
That might work, I have not tried it. Usually runny glaze has to do with the composition of the glaze and or temps. Give it a try and let me know how it comes out.
Can u use raku clay for molds for fusing glass?
With out the glaze
Sure, it will work fine. Just make sure that you use a glass release before fusing your class to the mold.
Do you think a Orton cone could go inside the microwave kiln
I never thought of that. My kiln will reach 1790 degrees F.I guess I could try and see.
@@CaptMike If you made a video of you trying that it would really help me
@@Yannick432 I ran a test this afternoon. The only cones I have are cone 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 2 &3. I arrainged them on a ceramic cookie and zapped them for 20 minutes. the 05 sagged a little and the 06 completerly sagged, indicating the temps had to get somewhere around 1830 degrees. For a video, what else could I do to help?
@@CaptMike wow in fact you answered my question , i thought orton cone couldnt go inside a microwave ! I deeply thank you for having try this experiment . One question still come to mind : What power is your microwave ?
@@Yannick432 1500 watt. I will do a video showing the outcome of the cones at 20 minutes and at 30 minutes.