Glaze Mixing Instructions

Glaze and Raw Material Safe Handling

Working with materials in their dry form can be hazardous as the particles are fine and like to hang in the air for a long time. Always work in a well ventilated area and always wear a NIOSH approved respirator or mask. Eye protection and nitrile gloves are recommended as well. Avoid inhalation and ingestion of any glaze materials and wash hands thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoking.

Mixing Dry Glaze for Dipping Application

Equipment needed:

  • Respirator
  • Two clean buckets of appropriate size for batch
  • Rib/Spatula
  • Sieve (60 or 80 mesh recommended)
  • Mixing apparatus (power drill with mixing stick or large wire whisk)

Always wear a respirator when working with dry materials. Work in a well ventilated area.

Base recipe calls for 48oz of water per 5lbs of glaze.

5lbs of dry glaze will yield approximately 0.75 gallons.
25lbs of dry glaze will yield approximately 3.75 gallons.

Add appropriate amount of water to first bucket and then add dry glaze to water and mix with drill to fully incorporate to get the glaze to screening consistency. Next place your sieve on top of the second bucket and slowly pour mixture through sieve into the bucket. Using your rib/spatula, push the mixture across the screen of the sieve until it fully drains through, discard any chunks that remain. Sieve your glaze at least once and repeat if desired, transfer between your two buckets.

Adjust consistency of glaze by adding water incrementally and mixing thoroughly until desired consistency is met. It is helpful to have some bisqueware on hand to test application/adhesion with. Once your glaze is at the desired consistency it is helpful to notate the weight of a 100ml sample so you can easily adjust for evaporation if needed.

Allow your glaze to sit for up to 24hrs before using to ensure full hydration of dry materials before use.

If Your Glaze Becomes Overwatered

Glazes that are over watered can be fixed by dissolving magnesium sulfate (unscented epsom salt) into luke warm water (30g salts per 100ml water). This solution can be added to a thin glaze a tablespoon at a time and mixed allowing the glaze to thicken for about a minute between each addition to avoid over thickening.