Ceramics Saggar Firing

Originally saggars were used to protect the finish from the debris flying around the firing chamber from the wood or coal fuel source.

Ceramics saggar firing.

Saggars have been used to protect or safeguard ware from open flame smoke gases and kiln debris. Here is a non exclusive list of colorants for pit firing or to be used inside of a saggar. The saggar can be made out of anything depending on the type of firing from the traditional refractory clay to newspaper. Saguaros have been used to protect or safeguard ware from open fire smoke gases and kiln debris.

Traditionally saggars were made primarily from fireclay. Saggar firing was originally developed to protect wares from ash slagging and flame flashing in wood firings but in contemporary use with clean burning gas firings the process is used in exactly the opposite way. Saggar firing is the method of creating confined atmospheres within a container or saggar. It is a ceramic boxlike container used in the firing of pottery to enclose or protect ware being fired inside a kiln traditionally saggars were made primarily from fireclay.

This excerpt came from our book naked raku and related bare clay techniques which is available in the ceramic arts shop. I put a bed of materials on the bottom of the saggar and place small crucibles made of clay containing salt around the bottom. To contain fumes around a pot so that the pot to picks up color from the fumes saggars are the lidded containers used to contain and isolate pots during a saggar firing. The name may be a contraction of the word safeguard.

Then i either place the pot in and gently put other materials around the side of the pot or wrap and tie materials in place around the pot using copper wire reed or even string and then place it into the saggar. A saggar is a type of kiln furniture. Saggar is a container used during the firing process to enclose or protect ware being fired inside a kiln. There are many things that will produce colors some better than others when placed in the pit.

This hands on technique will help all potter.