Pit Fired Pottery

Pit Fired Pottery is one of the oldest methods of firing ceramics known to man. Basically pots made of clay are just places in a wood fire to harden (vitrify) and become ceramics. People have done this all over the world for thousands of years.

In recent years Pit Fired Pottery have gained renewed attention - not the least because of the amazing and very unique colors that can be created. 

Pit Fired Pottery

Pit Fired Pottery

All the Pit Fired pots I make is first thrown on the potters wheel. I use both stoneware and porcelain. And using porcelain is actually quite unique.

Many potters will tell you its not possible to Pit Fire porcelain because of its fragile nature. It cracks. But I found ways to Pit Fire porcelain so it never cracks and in return you get some of the most amazing and intense colors. 

I Pit Fired using a combination of organic materials  - wood, sawdust, banana peels, straw and coffee ground mixed with oxides, chloride, baking powder and salts.

Each of the ingredients contribute to the ocean of colors.

Pit Fire is by nature a very unpredictable fire technique. Every piece is 100% unique.

Pit Fired Pottery

FAQ about Pit Fired Pottery

  • What is pit-fired pottery?

    Pit firing is a traditional method of pottery firing that involves placing pottery pieces in a pit or trench dug into the ground. The pieces are surrounded by combustible materials such as sawdust, leaves, or other organic matter, and then set on fire. The fire is allowed to burn and the pottery is slowly heated and cooled by the flames and smoke. This process results in unique and unpredictable surface patterns and colors on the pottery.

  • How is pit-fired pottery made?

    To create pit-fired pottery first bisque-fired in a kiln to turn it into hard ceramics. The bisque pieces are placed in a pit along with combustible materials and then covered with additional layers of organic matter. The pit is ignited, and the pottery is left to fire and cool over a period of several hours or even days, depending on the desired effect. Once the firing is complete, the pottery is carefully removed from the pit, cleaned, and often polished to reveal the unique surface patterns created by the pit firing process.

1 2