Coyote Slow Cool Glazes

On Sale!

 

The Ceramic Shop is excited to introduce Coyote's NEW line of Cone 6 Slow-Cool Glazes!  By introducing a controlled cooling program to an otherwise-standard Cone 6 firing, these glazes produce spectacular effects that were previously quite difficult to obtain. Finally, Coyote offers crystal glazes that don't run or seed, and which you can fire right along with your other glazes! 

 

Presently, Coyote offers three true crystal glazes, an aventurine glaze, and a beautiful iron red. More Slow-Cool glazes are coming soon, though, so continue to check out our website for the latest offerings from  Coyote!

 

Why slow cool?

These new glazes by Coyote Clay and Color have been designed to look their best when cooled slowly. A slower cooling allows for the development of small crystals, but small crystals can only develop when the glaze contains the proper ingredients for crystal growth. Most modern electric kilns are less insulated than their gas-fired counterparts, and many electric kilns that ARE heavily insulated tend to be large, heavy, industrial refrigerator-style models -- not necessarily the kind of kiln you find in just any studio. Because of this, it has been difficult for the studio potter or classroom teacher to achieve reliable crystalline effects with commercial glazes -- until now! Simply by scheduling your kiln to the recommended program listed below, you will see a new complexity develop in your Coyote glazes.

 

What will happen to my other glazes?

Coyote has extensively tested this new family of glazes, as well as many other non-slow-cool glazes fired in a slow-cool Cone 6 kiln. Their results were impressive -- in general, they found that many of your current glazes will look dramatically better when fired with a slow-cool program. ALL Coyote glazes -- not just the Slow-Cool line -- fall into one of three 'results' categories when slow-cooled:

1. WAY BETTER!

2. A little better.

3. Can't tell the difference.

It is important to note that Coyote did not find any glaze that looked worse in a slow cool than in a regular firing. 

 

Which other Coyote glazes look great in a slow-cool firing?

The testers at Coyote were particularly impressed by Opal, Saturated Iron, Rhubard, Eggplant, Mottled Blue, Rust Brown, and Red Gold. 

 

Can I fire these new glazes in a regular Cone 6 firing without a slow-cool?

Yes. The new glazes still look wonderful in regular firings. A slow cool, however, will maximize the growth of crystals and bring out the best in these glazes, but it is not necessary to make them work well.

 

How do I program a slow cool into my Cone 6 firing?

As the control panels for programmable kilns vary across brands, you should consult your owner's manual or contact the seller of the kiln for instructions on how to program your specific kiln. Once you know how to program your kiln, enter the following schedule:

Ramps: 5

100/hr to 220 (This preheat ramp is optional)

350/hr to 2000

150/hr to 2200 hold 15 minutes

500/hr to 2150 hold for 15 minutes

125/hr to 1400

 

Thermocouples tend to vary slightly, so you may need to tweak the top temperature for your kiln. Your witness cone 5 should be all the way down, and the witness cone 6 should be from halfway over to the tip even with the base (between cone 5 1/2 and 6), while cone 7 should be mostly straight.

 

Are these glazes food safe?

Ivory Crystal, Crystal Celadon, and Crystal Lagoon will change color when exposed to acidic foods and are not recommended for food use. Autumn Spice, Mars Iron Red, Light Gold, and Summer Spice are suitable for food.