WJC Raku Kiln Raku Firing I don't do much Raku firing and so I have no pieces to really illustrate this technique but I'll try to give you a quick explanation of the process. Raku firing is a very fast firing process. Typically, the raku kiln is heated up to 1382-1472 degrees F. The glazed ware is placed in the kiln with long tongs and fired for at least 20 minutes. The ware is checked visually to see whether the glazes are shiny and 'fluid'. When they are, the ware is removed with long tongs and immediately placed into 'reduction chambers'. The reduction chambers are filled with organic, incendiary material (sawdust, wood chips, straw, paper, etc.). Some of this organic material may also be placed over the ware as well. The chambers are then closed. The ware may be left in the chambers to cool or pulled out with long tongs and placed in a metal bucket of water or set on the ground or any fire-proof surface to cool. These pieces are generally, very fragile and absolutely not functional without some sort of liner. There are many variations in raku firing and in wood firing and gas firing, for that matter. There is a wealth of information on the WEB and in books and magazines on all of these processes. All photos courtesy of Jeri Henderson.