Nutmeg Casserole-Wood Fired

Description

I threw this casserole with a white stoneware claybody and applied two shino glazes before firing it in a wood kiln to temperatures in excess of 2200º F. Wood ash dusted the lid and handles beautifully.

It stands 6" tall; is approximately 6-1/2" in diameter, and holds over a quart of your favorite recipe. This high-fired casserole may be placed in an oven and then heated to 350 degrees fahrenheit without fear of it cracking. You may cook in this casseroles if you place it in a cold oven before heating, and I would recommend not exceeding 350 degrees fahrenheit.

Do not place it in a fully heated oven or directly on a stove top.

Only non-toxic materials are used and my pottery is therefore safe for food, microwave and dishwasher (unless otherwise stated).

This piece would make a terrific gift.

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WOOD FIRING: It all begins with the chopping of the wood--many cords of wood! It takes a team of potters, friends and/or family to fire a wood kiln. On the first day we load the kiln and seal the door with mortar. The fire is started and stoking (inserting wood by hand) continues every few minutes over the next 35-40 hours. The kiln demands constant attention and it takes an incredible amount of time and energy to achieve temperature and desired results. It's a non-stop workout until temperature is achieved and it is this process that accounts for the typically higher price of wood fired pots.

During the firing process the constant addition of wood causes heat to rise, ash to fly and soda to volatilize. The wood ash settles on the pottery causing a natural ash glaze to form by the complex interaction between flame, ash, and the minerals comprising the clay body. Glaze formed by ash combines with other glazes to create the gorgeous variation in color and texture, and thickness. Glazes will vary from smooth and glossy to roughly textured and gnarly. Placement in the kiln, density and nearness of other pots, and oxidation and/or reduction environments all affect the outcome of each pot.

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Added on Oct 08, 2009