About Stoneware and Glazes
Stoneware clay is a clay which fires at a high temperature to a durable and chip-resistant product, making it ideal for functional tableware. I usually work with a smooth light-coloured clay which can be fired to a temperature of 1223 degrees Celsius. In potter’s terminology, that is “Cone 6”. At that temperature, the clay becomes very hard and water-tight. The glaze that is used to cover and decorate stoneware is actually made with silica, which melts in the kiln to form a glass surface on the stoneware. The Spectrum glazes I use are non-toxic and dinnerware-safe. For tableware they give a nice smooth finish that is easy to wash. Some of these glazes seem to fire better at 1188 degrees Celsius, so much of my pottery is fired at this slightly lower temperature. Stoneware is microwave and dishwasher safe. It can withstand heat, but I it may be advisable to put it in the oven while the oven is heating as a sudden heat shock could cause cracks.
