How To: Stovetop-firing of Metal Clay
Published: November 5, 2007
| Place a piece of stainless steel mesh on the grate over the gas burner. Make sure it is stable. Turn on the gas to its highest setting, and observe the mesh for the hottest areas. Turn off the burner and allow the mesh to return to normal color. Using tweezers, place the unfired metal clay piece on one of the areas that glowed the hottest. Turn on the heat again to its highest setting. Watch to make sure the clay binders burn off and the piece glows appropriately (as described in "Torch-firing"). Adjust the flame if necessary. When the proper glow is reached, continue heating for the firing time. After the cycle is complete, turn off the burner. Leave the piece untouched for at least 20 minutes, and allow it to cool completely before handling it. |