Firing clay is the most critical process for a potter. Traditional kilns use gas or electric energy to reach extreme temperatures which vitrify the clay. These kilns are often brick lined, permanently positioned and require a permanent utility connection. As with any creative art medium, artists often venture away from the norm and in the case of pottery, firing options are being tested. As a part of the alternative firing process, steel drums, in particular Skolnik steel drums, are being used by several artists to encase the glazed pieces that will be fired. The Skolnik steel drums are made of steel that is thicker, stronger and heavier than industry standards and in the case of a ceramic firing, these drums withstand higher temperatures, fire hotter, and offer great reusability.
In addition, to prevent fumes from being omitted in the first firing, the drums used are unpainted.
Patty Kochaver, a professional potter and instructor at the Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago, uses the Skolnik steel drums for her saggar firings. To begin, the pot surface is carefully treated with terra sigilatta, then buffed and nestled into the saggar which is filled with beds of combustible materials, such as sawdust, less combustible organic materials, salts and metals. These materials ignite or fume during firing, leaving the pot buried in layers of fine ash. Ware produced in the filled saggar may display dramatic markings, with colors ranging from distinctive black and white to flashes of golds, greens and red tones. Click here to see the process as well as the range of finishes achieved in one of Patty’s recent steel drum firings. Patty’s work is available online at www.pattykochaver.com