Smoke Firing in a Trash Can
Firing Ceramics at Home

Of the three methods of firing clay at home, we decided to try using a metal trash can/dustbin for our homeschooling crafts session. It seems like the easiest (and safest!) method to try as it doesn't need a lot of equipment or space.

We were really inspired to try this method by the following video. I didn't want to dig a hole, so we bought a metal incinerator from the hardware store. I think next time I would buy a trash can/dustbin as I am not sure so much air should be getting into the firing.

You also need a large amount of sawdust - we went to a pet shop for ours, and also gathered extra leaves and small twigs.

We didn't realise that an important part of the video is where he burnishes the clay piece - to burnish your clay model, rub it gently with the back of a spoon until it becomes very smooth and shiny. In our first firing, the one bowl we used this technique on came out very nice, but the others mostly just looked burnt.

Build up layers of sawdust and pottery inside the dustbin. Light a fire on the top, and when it dies down a little put the lid on. Leave to burn slowly for about 12 hours or so - it may take even longer before the pots are cool enough to handle. The dustbin gets very hot and there is a danger the pottery will explode - so don't let the children play near it.

Pottery fired in this way will still be porous, so you will not be able to use it for liquids. When you have cleaned it up, rub it with a clear wax (we used beeswax, but you could also use clear shoe-polish) to give it a shine.

We really enjoyed this homeschooling project, and it is something we would love to try again in the future. If you try out this method in your homeschooling, I would love to hear how it went.

Find out more about how to fire clay at home without a kiln