Also called: Biscuit Firing, Bisque Fire
Field: Ceramic Arts, Pottery
Materials: Clay (greenware), heat, kiln, oxygen flow
Bisque firing is the first firing process that clay undergoes in a kiln. During this stage, raw clay transforms into a hard, porous, and durable ceramic material known as bisque or biscuit ware. This crucial step removes moisture and organic matter, allowing the clay to be safely glazed in a later firing.
After bisque firing, pottery pieces remain slightly absorbent, enabling them to hold and bond with glaze before the glaze firing stage. The temperature used varies by clay body but typically ranges from 1730°F to 1940°F (945°C–1060°C) for earthenware.
Bisque firing is essential because it stabilizes the clay structure turning it from fragile greenware into a durable, semi-vitrified material that can be handled and decorated safely.
Written by Ed Shears, Founder of Artabys and ceramic artist.