December  2006    Issue #45
Published by
Gary R. Ferguson – Raku Artist
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In This Issue
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In This Issue
* While the Smoke Clears – Holiday Wishes.
* Electric Raku 
* A Chemical by Any Other Name is still a ...
* 3 Ways to Check Your Maturity
* More on Two Halves of the Same Pot
* Matte meet Glossy
* Raku Links
* Workshops 
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* Electric Raku

Janet asks, “Do you have any information to share re: using 
an electric Raku kiln? I just purchased one (because we 
live in the country and don't have gas and didn't want to 
deal with propane since I am far away from somewhere to go 
get it)”

You may have heard potters say “You can’t Raku in a 
electric kiln” or “You’ll ruin your kiln’s coils” or some 
other “You can’t” statement in regards to using an electric 
kiln for Raku. But I don’t agree.

I know several people (some production potters) that 
exclusively use electric kilns for Raku, so it definitely 
can be done. There are just a few things to keep in mind.

It will take longer to get to temperature. With a gas kiln 
you can probably get to temperature in 30 minutes, but an 
electric kiln may take several hours.

It is very difficult to conduct a reduction firing in a 
electric kiln so this could affect the glaze result 
somewhat. I find most of my reduction influence is due to 
post-firing reduction anyway, so I wouldn’t worry about 
this too much.

There are two safety things you need to concern yourself 
with though. First make sure you turn off the power to 
your kiln before you reach inside with metal tongs. You 
should be wearing thick leather gloves to protect you from 
heat (and any electric shock) but you don’t need to take 
the chance.

Second, most electric kilns are top loading. This means 
when you open the lid you are exposing yourself to extreme 
heat. It would be a good idea to set up a pulley or lever 
system to open the lid so you do not need to get directly in 
the “line of heat” 

Other than these few things to consider, you should be able 
to Raku in a electric kiln with no worries.

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"Our class fired again last night, and the instructor 
followed your tips and voila. Boy do we have copper. Its 
great knowing we can do it, and I really appreciate your 
help. Thanks again!"-Shannon P. http://www.rakusecrets.com
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Gary R. Ferguson - Raku Artist

(c) Copyright 2006, Gary R. Ferguson