Salt glazes
Salt glaze on an object by Jeremy Nichsols.
Evaporated crystals.
The salt glaze is an approach glaze. While other glazes are applied before firing, the salt glaze is created during firing. The firing must take place in a reduction firing (with an open flame), e.g. in a wood, coal or gas kiln. The firing temperature is between 1200° C - 1300°C. When the maximum temperature is reached, pure table salt is introduced into the kiln through various openings. At such a heat the salt crystals evaporate and lay down as a "touch" on the ceramics. The melting that now takes place gives salt-fired ceramics their characteristic appearance with silky-matt to high-gloss surfaces.