ARMADILLO CLAY & SUPPLIES

High fire stoneware glazes are considered to be any glaze that matures above 2280° F, and are typically associated with gas reduction kilns.  When used on clay bodies that mature (vitrify) at the same temperature range, these glazes create an integrated body-glaze layer.  This tight bonding between glaze and clay is the main reason stoneware is so much more desirable for the production of tableware.

Advancements in glaze formulations have often occurred in conjunction with changes in kiln design and firing techniques.  With the widespread use of wood fired kilns came the discovery that fine wood ash (fly ash) is a ceramic flux and can be considered a primitive glaze by itself.  This led to the formulation of the first true stoneware glazes.  By the 10^th Century, new kiln designs and firing methods allowed for higher temperatures and the refinement of the stoneware and porcelain we use today.

The electric kiln brought about the ability to fire cone 9 / 10 glazes to a much wider range of people but the clean oxidation atmosphere of the electric kilns greatly reduced the color ranges available compared to what is possible in a gas reduction kiln.  Fourtunatly, a growing public interest in high temperature tableware has spurred the developments of new breakthroughs in glaze chemistry allowing for the formulation of brilliant color ranges and unique texture-rich glazes.

NOTE TO TABLEWARE PRODUCERS
All finished dinnerware products must be tested and approved as food safe by a certified laboratory due to possible variations in firing temperatures and possible contamination.