For Flux Sake

Latest Episodes:

Does it matter how fast my kiln cools? Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

We start today's episode with a trip to Materials Corner to talk about #1 Pottery Plaster. The gang also answer listener questions about converting celsius to fahrenheit and the cooling rates of kilns.

Have you checked out the new For Flux Sake Patreon? This is a great way to show your support and have access to discounted merch, live hangouts, and extra episodes. Head over to Patreon and sign up today.

Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, Kiln Fire, Sheffield Pottery, Speed Ball, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Ware Glazes.

This week's episode features the following topics:

#1 Pottery plaster, K-59 Georgia Pacific plaster, celsius, fahrenheit, cooling rate, kiln

Can there be too much boron in a glaze? Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

This week's show starts with a discussion of a recent viral ceramic video and the merits of a potter dipping pots in water immediately after glazing. The gang also answer listener questions about the amount of boron glazes, melting in cone 6 mattes, and a safety concern from drinking out of a crazed mug.

Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Ware Glazes.

This week's episode features the following topics:

Boron, cone 6 matte, crazing, glaze safety

How do I reassure customers that I don't use lead? Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

We start off season six of the podcast with a great question about customer service around ceramics. The gang answer a question from a paint-you-own pottery studio about reassuring customers that they don't use lead and using the full range of cobalt and copper sources that are available on the market.

Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, Kiln Fire, Sheffield Pottery, Speed Ball, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Ware Glazes.

This week's episode features the following topics:

Season 6, paint-your-own pottery, lead, cadmium, cobalt, copper

Why do cone 10 reduction glazes all look similar? Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

We start the episode with a quick trip to Materials Corner to hear good news about the mining of Red Art. The gang also answer listener questions about firing cone 6 clays to cone 10, finding vitrified commercial clays, and the aesthetic origins of cone 10 glazes in the United States.

Today's episode is brought to you by Rhode Kilns, Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Ware Glazes.

This week's episode features the following topics:

Cone 10, Red Art, vitrified commercial clay, Materials Corner

For Flux Sake Live in Boston! Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

For the first time ever the whole gang gathered in Boston for a live show at Harvard Ceramics. In this episode they answer listener questions about finding inspiration, altering glazes to fire hotter, dunting in plates, and the decomposition of iron in glazes. A very special thank you to Harvard Ceramics and the Harvard Ed Portal for hosting, and to the excellent questions the audience brought that evening.

Today's episode is brought to you by Rhode Kilns, Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Ware Glazes.

This week's episode features the following topics:

Hard panning, epsom salts, inspiration, reclaim, plate, dunting, iron decomposition

Do things ever explode in a glaze firing? Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Today we have a special NCECA focused episode featuring questions recorded in person at this year's conference in Detroit. The gang answer questions about explosions in a glaze firing, sanding bisque ware, and wheel cleaning. They also start the episode taking a trip to Materials Corner to talk about changes in the Red Art supply. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth to record with us at NCECA. We can't wait to see you again next year.

Today's episode is brought to you by Rhode Kilns, Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.

This week's episode features the following topics:

Explosions, sanding, cleaning, NCECA, materials corner, Red Art

Do all glazes need Bentonite? Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Today we have a special NCECA focused episode featuring questions recorded in person at this year's conference in Detroit. The gang answer questions about using hot wax, refiring in a community studio, particle packing for brushing glazes, and best practices for using Bentonite in glazes. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth to record with us.

Today's episode is brought to you by Rhode Kilns, Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.

This week's episode features the following topics:

Wax, refiring, brushing glazes, particle packing, bentonite, NCECA

The Cost versus Reliability episode Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Today the gang compares cost versus reliability when buying kilns and kiln shelves. The episode starts with a question about purchasing S-type thermocouples for new kilns and a discussion about preventing warping in cordierite kiln shelves. On a related but strange note, they also talk about how a popular outdoor grill helped lead the U.S. into our current talc shortage.

Today's episode is brought to you by Rohde Kilns, Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.

This week's episode features the following topics:

S-type, K-type, thermocouple, cordierite, advancer, kiln shelf, Big Green Egg, talc

Can I add something to a commercial glaze to change its temperature? Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

To start today's episode the gang talk about their upcoming live show in Boston. We hope you will join us June 5th at the Harvard Ed Portal, where Kathy, Matt, Rose, and Producer Ben will be ready to answer your burning questions about clay and glaze. They also answer listener questions about what to do when all your glazes mature at a different temperature, and how to identify a mystery white spot in the surface of your fired glaze.

Today's episode is brought to you by Rhode Kilns, Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.

This week's episode features the following topics:

Live show, glaze temperature, Cone 5, Cone 5 ½, Cone 6, crystal formation

Why do layered glazes look different every time? May 13, 2026

Show notes

Today we have a special Flux U episode where the gang dive deep into glaze application to answer a listener's question about the chemical and physical limitations of glaze layering. What seems like a simple topic turns out to be quite complex. They also talk about helpful tips for buying and installing your first home kiln.

Have you ever wanted to be on a For Flux Sake episode? Join the gang in person for a live taping June 5th at the Harvard Ed Portal! Kathy, Matt, Rose, and Producer Ben will be in Boston to answer your burning questions about clay and glaze. Do you secretly need even more live shows? June 6th you can join a special Flux U taping at Harvard Ceramics. It's going to be a whole wonderful weekend of clay and glaze mania.

Flux U, is an exclusive perk for Patreon members. If you'd like to have access to additional episodes like this one and special merch head on over to Patreon and join the For Flux Sake community.

Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.

This week's episode features the following topics:

Glaze application, kiln, electrician, particle packing, layering