RAKU SUB-COMMITTEE – Procedures

Back to previous page

1. General
1. The Chairperson is responsible for the Raku process and the safety of Raku Techs.
2. The Chairperson or designated committee member(s) must:
1. Notify GVR of the firing schedule for the year.
2. Notify the Monitor on the day of firing.
3. Redirect traffic from the patio door.
4. Schedule one Raku Tech to be present throughout the firing process and clean-up.
5. Require Raku Techs to wear closed toe shoes, long pants, cotton or other non-melting clothing and to keep their hair tied back. Dangling jewelry must not be worn.
6. Require Raku Techs to use safety gloves, aprons, and respirator masks.
7. Limit the number of people in the Raku area and keep non-committee members behind the line during kiln firings.
2. Raku Procedures
1. Check propane tank and hoses for leaks.
2. Check all equipment to make sure it is functioning properly.
3. Make sure fans in the Kiln Room are turned off and the wall vent is closed.
4. Retrieve equipment for firing including shavings and newspaper, propane torch and banding wheels.
5. Assist those with Raku pieces to prepare and appropriately sized reduction chamber (RC) with securely fitting lid.
6. When RC is ready, place on ground in line for those loading the kilns to arrange.
7. As kilns are loaded, wet towels and ensure they are available on both sides of the patio.
8. Assign Raku Techs for RCs to place lids on RCs and Techs to cover RCs with wet towels.
9. Kiln firing process:
1. Slow rise to 500
2. Medium rate to 1000
3. Full rate to 1850
4. Hold 10 minutes
10. Open kilns and place pieces in correct RC.
11. Turn on patio fans.
12. Cleanup:
1. Turn off gas.
2. Turn on kiln room vent.
3. Empty all RCs of combustible material into designated trash cans.
4. Replace all equipment in shed.
5. Replace kiln shelves in designated space.
6. Hang towels to dry.
7. Remove redirection signs.

Back to previous page

updated: 1/4/2024 - jdo