 Welcome back for season three of For Flux Sake! Today the gang talk about fast firing, the best way to do an absorption test, and a pair of kiln questions about thermocouples and electricity types. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. To see the supplemental info we talked about in this episode, visit Ceramic Materials Workshop.   Our friend Paul Blais, host of The Potters Cast, was recently in a bad accident. There’s a Go Fund Me to help support his family during his recovery. We wish him a speedy recovery.     Today’s episode is brought to you by:    AMACO Brent www.amaco.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com. The Bray www.archiebray.org     

What’s the best way to test clay absorption?

Matt and Rose Katz of the Ceramics Materials Workshop and Kathy King of the Ceramics Program at Harvard University discuss listener questions about clay and glaze. This show will have you laughing and learning about the chemistry behind ceramics in no time.

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Listen to the final part of our conversation with the fantastic Freddy Fredrickson, former kiln master at Alfred University and founder of Fredrickson kilns. This episode will have you thinking beyond temperature when trying to get the most out of your kiln during your firings. Is cone 6 truly more energy-efficient than cone 10? Can your thermocouple be the silent hero of your firings?  Freddy has answers to all your burning questions (pun intended!) and more!   Glaze got you in a daze? Mystery clay malfunction? Fire up your phone and send the For Flux Sake crew a voice memo or a message with your ceramic crisis at forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com - your problem could be solved on-air!   Today’s episode is brought to you by: Bray Poxy archiebrayclay.com   This week’s episode features the following topics:  Electric Kiln, Cone 6, Cone 10, Cone 6 vs. Cone 10, Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficient Firing, Kiln Troubleshooting, Cones, Kiln Calibration, Kiln Design, Kiln Building, Kiln Efficiency 

Electric Kiln 101 with Freddy Fredrickson pt. 2

Join Matt as he dives deep into kilns with Freddy Frederickson, the legendary founder of Fredrickson Kiln Company. For over 30 years, Freddy wasn't just building kilns at The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, he was perfecting the craft as their master kiln builder. In this first episode of our two-part interview, Freddy shares his remarkable journey. From the evolution of electric kiln technology to filling and firing an even kiln, listen in as he answers some of your burning questions about using your electric kiln.   Today’s episode is brought to you by: Bray Poxy archiebrayclay.com   This week’s episode features the following topics:  Electric Kiln, Firing, Kiln, Kiln Troubleshooting, Kiln load, kiln firing

Electric Kiln 101 with Freddy Fredrickson pt. 1

Thanks to everyone who came out to our live taping at NCECA. We had a blast and look forward to airing that episode in a few weeks. Today on the show the gang talk about the effect of mold in clay, bisque firing higher than your glaze temperature, and the wild wild west of slip formulas. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com.   Today’s episode is brought to you by: Bray Poxy archiebrayclay.com   This week’s episode features the following topics: Slip casting, Mold, Clay Durability, Glaze Application, Slip Formula, Bisque temperature

Should I bisque higher than I glaze?

This episode of Flux Sake is a technical delight! Rose and Matt unpack the fascinating world of commercial clay body profiling with Ceramic Material Workshop's ongoing research project. They'll unpack the different tests used and what they reveal about a clay body's performance. Need to know the perfect clay body and glazes for your project? We've got you covered! The gang tackles listener questions on finding durable materials for high-use barware and crafting long-lasting floor tiles. Feeling the spray gun frustration? You're not alone! The episode wraps up with solutions to a clogged spray gun, with insights from Kathy, Rose, and Matt on keeping your glaze application smooth.   Join the Flux Sake Crew Live! Catch the whole gang for a live recording at the NCECA conference in Richmond, VA on Friday, March 22nd at 11 am. Don't miss out!   Today’s episode is brought to you by: Bray Poxy archiebrayclay.com   This week’s episode features the following topics:  Food Safety, Functional Ceramics, Utilitarian Ceramics, Dinnerware, Restaurant ware, Clay Durability, Glaze Durability, Coefficient of Friction, Ceramic Tile, Glaze Application, Glazing with spray gun

How can I make durable floor tiles?

The For Flux Sake crew is gearing up for NCECA! Tune in to find out their plans and where you can catch them live at the conference. They also dive deep into listener questions, tackling concerns about lead leaching in your kiln from past firings and fish tank safety. Can your ceramic pieces pose a hidden danger for you or your aquatic friends? Learn the facts with us and stay safe!   Got a perplexing ceramic problem? Send the crew a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com and they might just feature it on a future episode.   Today’s episode is brought to you by: Bray Poxy archiebrayclay.com   This week’s episode features the following topics:  Lead, Leaching, Toxicity, Lead Toxicity, Lead Testing, Lead Leaching, NCECA, Studio Safety

What’s the best way to test clay absorption?

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