jbcox Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 Hi all, needing advice on how to increase the crackle effects during a raku firing. Last two times I rakued with a basic clear crackle glaze I got minimal crackles if any at all. I tried holding the piece in the air to cool it down hoping to get it to crackle and no such luck. Any suggestions. Thanks. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coyle Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 A lot has to do with the glaze and clay body. We are talking forced shrinkage here. I have found that thicker pieces sometimes crackle better than thin, but I have not a lot of experience in this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
What? Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 I use an air compressor to blow briefly on the pot or a piece of tubing and my lungs before I can it. You will see and hear the cracks forming. A small can to fit the piece and newspaper. Glaze thickness is a factor as well. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 I've dunked some pieces in water to try and enhance the crackle, with some success. I've also seen videos of a potter, who would set his wares in snow, then put the combustibles on top of them, then a metal container to create the reduction chamber. They achieved a nice crackle through this method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 Try experimenting with glaze thickness to see which coatings result in more crackle or fatter cracks rather than finer ones. I have also layered two different clear crackle glazes to get more cracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rakukuku Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 I apply crackle glazes more thick than other raku. Also, I mist the pieces with a squirt bottle before they go into the reduction material. I do this while the pieces are still in the kiln since we have a top hat kiln where the lid raises up. If you have a different kiln just remove the piece and set it on an old kiln shelf and mist it quickly and then get it into the reduction material. rakuku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy pots Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 I keep some green foliage nearby& roll the pot in it before reduction. It works great & the crackles appear better where you roll first as the pot is really hot & burns the leaves or grass or pine or cedar. Love the sound of crackle while doing it. Joy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Thicker glaze is key. If you're using the old 80/20, put it on thick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcox Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Thank you all for the great suggestions. Did another raku firing last night with better results. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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