Ash glazes have fascinated people for hundreds of years. Present-day potters often love the essence of ash glazes as well, but are not firing kilns which normally deposit ashes on the ware during firing. Because of this, many potters have developed ash glaze recipes, using ashes mixed with other ceramic materials to create glazes.
Below are some ash glaze recipes, in no particular order. Firing range is given in cones. Also, remember to use distilled water to mix glazes. Although mainly developed for reduction firing, test an oxidation kiln atmosphere as well. Some can give good results in both.
Buttery Ash Glaze, Cone 8-9
- Feldspar 32.8
- Wood ash 32.8
- Ball clay 28.0
- Dolomite 3.6
- Silica oxide 2.8
Ash #4, Cone 8
- Potash feldspar 53.1
- Wood ash 7.7
- Ball clay 9.6
- Kaolin 9.6
- Dolomite 16.9
- Calcium carbonate 3.1
Ash #35, Cone 8
- Albany slip substitute 81.6
- Wood ash 10.2
- Rutile 8.2
Basic Wood Ash, Cone 9-10
- Potash feldspar 40.2
- Wood ash 40.2
- Talc 17.3
- Bentonite 2.3
Ash Glaze I, Cone 9-10
- Feldspar 35
- Unwashed wood ash 35
- Talc 15
- Kaolin 15
Ash Glaze II, Cone 9-10
- Feldspar 35
- Unwashed wood ash 20
- Dolomite 15
- Kaolin 10
- Silica 20
- 3% Rutile
- 2% Red iron oxide
Jack's Half Ash, Cone 9-10
- Ash 50
- Spodumene 20
- Barium carbonate 20
- Ball clay 10
- 2% Bentonite