About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Some parts of this book I loved, some left me cold. Part of the problem is that the articles, although all focused on firing with electric kilns, was an uneven combination of novice through advanced information and techniques. If you are new to electric firing, this book may be a good resource for you, and support you through your growth using electric kilns.



Pros

• Gives ten basics of firing as well as an outline for kiln checkups.

• Explores many possibilities using electric kilns.
• Details how to modify kilns for further creative possibilities.

Cons

• Articles are reprinted from "Ceramics Monthly" and "Pottery Making Illustrated."
• Uneven in perspective. Some articles are at novice level, some at advanced.

Description

• 8.5" x 11" softcover, 135 pages. Published by the American Ceramic Society; edited by Anderson Turner.
• Beautifully and fully illustrated with full-color photographs and diagrams. Step-by-step photographs are included.
• Compilation of 30 articles reprinted from Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated.
  

Guide Review - Review of "Electric Firing, Creative Techniques"

This book is a mixed bag. It contains a lot of articles about various potters' and ceramic artists' personal stories of working with electric kilns as well as giving technical tips, glaze and clay recipes, and kiln design. It is a combination of both practical knowledge and philosophical exploration, from basic instruction to advanced issues.

I found many exciting ideas in Electric Firing, not least was an article detailing how to convert an all electric kiln into a gas-electric hybrid (allowing one to fire in reduction without destroying the heating elements).

Many of the glazes shown and shared are very dynamic, as are many of the other decorative techniques.

One of the things I do appreciate about the book is that it does not stick to one preconceived notion of electric firing. Firing ranges from ultra-low to high-fire are all represented. A huge range of decorative techniques are at least touched on.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.