Stopped my glaze runs cold with a cheap kitchen tool

I was constantly dealing with glaze dripping off the bottom of my pieces and sticking to kiln shelves. In a pinch, I grabbed a silicone pastry brush from my kitchen to apply a thicker layer of glaze around the rims. This extra buildup acts as a dam, preventing the glaze from flowing down during firing. I tested it on a batch of bowls last firing, and every one came out clean with no drips or scars. It saved me from having to grind off shelf paper residue or re-fire flawed work. Now I have a separate brush just for studio use, and it's become my go-to for glazing anything with a foot. Such a small change that turned a frustrating step into a smooth process.

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

reese_robinson7mo ago

Honestly question if that method creates more problems long-term. Tbh relying on glaze dams can mask underlying issues with your glaze thickness or application consistency. You might just be trading drips for other defects like crawling or pinholing.

5

elliotgarcia7mo ago

Well actually @reese_robinson, sometimes those dams buy time to dial in consistency without ruining pieces.

3

max_mitchell7mo ago

Can confirm I've used dams as a safety net before. My last batch crawled so bad it looked like the glaze got stage fright. Probably should have fixed the mix instead.

8