Stoneware

Stoneware is a mid-high fire clay that fires to Cone 6 (2232°F). It contains natural minerals that help the piece vitrify, meaning it seals tight and becomes non-porous during the firing process. This makes it extremely durable and safe for everyday use—dishwasher, microwave, oven, freezer, no problem (with a few cautions)!

It’s different from our standard earthenware in two key ways:

• Earthenware = porous, decorative (functional only when FULLY coated in glaze), fires to Cone 06

• Stoneware = fully sealed clay body, functional, fires to Cone 6

✅ Yes, stoneware is food-safe and can go in the microwave, oven, and dishwasher
⚠️ But avoid thermal shock—don’t go from the freezer straight into a hot oven!

Pro Tip: Always preheat your stoneware with the oven.
Safe cooking range is 300°F–450°F.

Stoneware fires too hot for metal stilts (they will melt). Instead:

• We fire directly on a clean kiln shelf or a “cookie” (stoneware tile)

• You must leave the bottom 1/4 inch unglazed—otherwise, it’ll fuse to the shelf

The Glazes Move. A LOT.

Stoneware glazes are reactive, and many contain crystals or metallics. They flow, blend, and oxidize in the kiln to create beautiful one-of-a-kind effects—but they need special handling.

🔄 Layering Technique:

We recommend:

1. 2 coats of stable glaze inside and on the top half of the outside

2. 2 coats of stable glaze on the bottom half

3. 2 coats of reactive glaze in a “band” where the two meet. Never paint a reactive glaze more than 1/4 of the way down the  outside of a piece.
   
   → Think stable > stable > reactive!

Yes....and no. Many of our glazes from our stable paint bar will burn out at higher temperatures and many of our crystal glazes will flow and move even more. It takes some practice to know, but check out our sample vase to see what colors do and don't work at such high heat work.

• Matte glazes usually need fewer coats to reach their full color
  
  

• Use resist (tape, stickers, wax) for cool layered designs
  
  

• Keep reactive glazes off the bottom two-thirds of your piece unless you're confident in the result
  
  

• Anything left unglazed will still be food-safe once fired!