Join Matt as he dives deep into kilns with Freddy Frederickson, the legendary founder of Fredrickson Kiln Company. For over 30 years, Freddy wasn't just building kilns at The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, he was perfecting the craft as their master kiln builder. In this first episode of our two-part interview, Freddy shares his remarkable journey. From the evolution of electric kiln technology to filling and firing an even kiln, listen in as he answers some of your...

Thanks to everyone who came out to our live taping at NCECA. We had a blast and look forward to airing that episode in a few weeks. Today on the show the gang talk about the effect of mold in clay, bisque firing higher than your glaze temperature, and the wild wild west of slip formulas. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].   Today’s episode is brought to you by: Bray Poxy archiebrayclay.com   ...

This episode of Flux Sake is a technical delight! Rose and Matt unpack the fascinating world of commercial clay body profiling with Ceramic Material Workshop's ongoing research project. They'll unpack the different tests used and what they reveal about a clay body's performance. Need to know the perfect clay body and glazes for your project? We've got you covered! The gang tackles listener questions on finding durable materials for high-use barware and crafting long-lasting floor tiles....

The For Flux Sake crew is gearing up for NCECA! Tune in to find out their plans and where you can catch them live at the conference. They also dive deep into listener questions, tackling concerns about lead leaching in your kiln from past firings and fish tank safety. Can your ceramic pieces pose a hidden danger for you or your aquatic friends? Learn the facts with us and stay safe!   Got a perplexing ceramic problem? Send the crew a voice memo with your question to...

On today’s episode the gang talk about deciphering the labels on your commercial glazes. They also answer listener questions about standard bisquing temperatures in the U.S., and if there is a toxicity risk when using lead glazed wares from the 19th century. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. Kathy, Matt, and Rose are excited to be participating in this year’s NCECA conference in Richmond, VA. Come...

On today’s episode the gang talk about recycling clay, knowing how hot a slip or glaze can be fired, and tips for running a community studio. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].   As we head into the new year, we are having a comment drive. This is one of the easiest ways to support this show, and the best part is that it’s totally free. To participate simply leave a review and a rating for the...

On today’s episode the gang answer an interesting question about the beauty of glaze flaws, as well as discussing fake reduction glazes using silicon carbide and making pots that are durable enough for restaurants. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].   As we head into the new year, we are having a comment drive. This is one of the easiest ways to support this show, and the best part is that it’s...

Happy New Year from the For the Flux Sake gang! In today’s episode Kathy, Rose, and Matt answer three listener questions about kiln peeps, creating atmospheric effects in an electric kiln, and the best ways to test wild clay. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].   As we head into the new year, we are having a comment drive. This is one of the easiest ways to support this show, and the best part is...

On today’s episode of For the Flux Sake the gang answer three listener questions about sieving glazes, burnishing clay, and wiping off bisque. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. Thanks everyone for listening in 2023. We look forward to having lots of new episodes for you in the upcoming year.   Hello For Flux Sake Listeners! Have you ever wondered what me mean when we talk about the unity...

On today’s episode the gang talk about the end of Custer Feldspar. How do we all adjust to one of America’s most popular, and reasonably priced, feldspars going out of production? Hear more about potential substitutions and the ripple effect this will have on the ceramic community. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].   Today’s episode is brought to you by: AMACO Brent www.amaco.com The...

On today’s episode the gang answer questions about the rising cost of lithium and the advantages of diversifying your fluxes. They also talk about the slight color shifts that happen in clear glazes. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].   Today’s episode is brought to you by: AMACO Brent www.amaco.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com. The Bray...

On today’s episode the gang answer a few questions about cone six, including one about electric kiln temperatures, and another about firing cone 6 glazes to cone 10 in a soda kiln. They also talk about making lava-like effects on clay with vinegar. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].   Today’s episode is brought to you by: AMACO Brent www.amaco.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional...

On this extra spooky episode of For Flux Sake, the gang talk about flame ware, the best length of time to mix casting slip, and fast firing manual kilns. They also share a mysterious tale about the blood bricks of Boston. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].   Today’s episode is brought to you by:   AMACO Brent www.amaco.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art...

This week on the podcast the gang talk about the chemistry of raku glazes, the prevalence of cone 8 in European ceramics, and the intricacies of a fully melted matte glaze. They also share fun facts about Prisma color pencils and their use in ceramics. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. To see the supplemental info we talked about in this episode, visit Ceramic Materials Workshop.   Today’s...

Today the gang discuss three questions about clay, including what actually happens when you wedge. They also talk about the ever-evolving situation with EPK. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. To see the supplemental info we talked about in this episode, visit Ceramic Materials Workshop.   Today’s episode is brought to you by:   AMACO Brent www.amaco.com The Rosenfield Collection of...

Welcome back for season three of For Flux Sake! Today the gang talk about fast firing, the best way to do an absorption test, and a pair of kiln questions about thermocouples and electricity types. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. To see the supplemental info we talked about in this episode, visit Ceramic Materials Workshop.   Our friend Paul Blais, host of The Potters Cast, was recently in...

Your favorite glaze nerds are back for season three of For Flux Sake! New episodes drop every other Wednesday starting this week. If you have a question about ceramic chemistry send us a voice memo at [email protected].  See you soon!

We are wrapping up our second season of the podcast and want to send a huge thank you to all of you for listening to the show. In this episode the gang talk about the long-term effects of throwing on your body, how to grasp the working qualities of porcelain, and how kiln cooling might change your glazes. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. To see the supplemental info we talked about in this...

This week on the show we have a great slate of questions from our listeners. Kathy, Matt, and Rose talk about the effect of Terra Siggilata on absorption, flashing caused by soluble materials, and best practices for safely using luster. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. To see the supplemental info we talked about in this episode, visit Ceramic Materials Workshop.   Hello For Flux Sake...

We all know that disappointing feeling. You open a kiln and see a beautiful piece that looks exactly like yours, except that its oddly smaller than you remember. On this week’s show the gang talk about the chemical process that causes clay shrinkage, as well as, the pros and cons of using manganese for speckled clay. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. To see the supplemental info we talked...

Have you seen a lava glaze and wondered how to make that surface in your own studio? Today on the show, the gang talk about silicon carbide and its use in lava glazes, as well as answer questions on plaster pop outs and soluble sodium. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. To see the supplemental info we talked about in this episode, visit Ceramic Materials Workshop.     Hello For Flux Sake...

Did you see the video of the potter firing their pot in the microwave? Is that real? Today on the show the gang talk about this curiosity of ceramic technology. They also talk about temperature fluctuations in a kiln, and Matt goes on an epic rant about vitrification and porosity. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. To see the supplemental info we talked about in this episode, visit Ceramic...

Have you inherited a studio’s worth of raw materials but have no idea what they are? On today’s episode of For Flux Sake the gang talk about how to test mystery materials to find out their usefulness. They also talk about the best ways to record the information you learn from your test tiles, and Matt and Rose give a report on their trip to the Fiesta Ware factory. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question...

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake Matt does a deep dive into crystalline glazes. The gang also talks about the nature of frits and the composition of stains. It’s an episode filled with practical information to help you understand how ceramic materials work. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. To see the supplemental info, we talked about in this episode, visit the blog at...