Wadding
Wadding is a very important part of wood, salt and soda firing as it allows for pieces to not stick to each other or the kiln shelves. Wadding is typically very refractory, which prevents it from melting. It is typically glued to the wares and acts as a buffer between the kiln shelf and piece. Wadding can be utilized as an aesthetic choice with the shape, size and placement on the piece.
Classic Soda / Salt Wadding
This classic soda / salt wadding is very refractory due to the high percentage of alumina hydrate and typically will fall right off work unless the atmosphere of the kiln was very juicy and violent. I like to use this on the bottom of my pots and not so much on the side anymore as it leaves a bright white mark most of the times. I typically do not weigh this out and just mix it approximately 50/50 by eye.
Diner Mug with 50/50 Wadding
^10 Soda Fired and Downfired
Kaolin………….....50
Alumina Hydrate…50
Newman Fireclay Wadding
This Newman Fireclay wadding is something that I came up so that I would not have a large white mark on the side of my wares that I side fire. I consider it as an aesthetic mark since it flashes nicely with the clay and from my experience has created some interesting halos. The alumina hydrate allows it to be refractory and the brick grog opens it up so that it falls off easily. I do not weigh this out when mixing; I just eyeball it.
Diner Mug with Newman Fireclay Wadding
^10 Soda Fired and Downfired
Newman Fireclay……50
Alumina Hydrate……25
Brick Grog…………..25