There are many factors to consider when it comes to firing your pottery in a kiln. The terms oxidation and reduction refer to how much oxygen is in the kiln’s atmosphere while the kiln is firing. An oxidation atmosphere has plenty of oxygen for the fuel to burn.
A reduction atmosphere occurs when the amount of available oxygen is reduced. This may not sound like things that will affect your pottery, but it can. The oxidation process, for example, can alter the color of the glazes or paint you’ve chosen to use. The reduction process, when oxygen is leeched out of your kiln atmosphere and pottery, can change the texture of your clay. Learn what’s going on in your kiln before you fire your next project.