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An extremely striking patterned glaze. Smooth surface, metallic dark and light copper/bronze color. Can give the appearance of a new penny on the background of an old penny. Best with medium application.
The picture for this item is just one example of the Raku Crackle White glaze. This is technically a clear glaze (there's no opacifier in the recipe), but everyone refers to it as Crackle White. Feel free to experiment with underglazes, stains, and even non-raku glazes underneath this Crackle White glaze. You can also add stains or chemical colorants (like cobalt oxide, copper carbonate, etc) for dramatic results. You might really enjoy the experimentation!
As of Sept 29, 2023 this has been converted to use Gillespie Borate as Gerstley Borate is no longer available.
Mixing instructions: mix with water at a 1:1 ratio (pint of water to a pound of glaze) and apply two coats.
For more ways to use crackle white, check out Cindy's article https://www.brackers.com/cracklewhite/
Information from the manufacturer The WEED DRAGON is the perfect propane torch kit for home and garden use. They've regulated the flame and BTU down for homeowners who don't need the power of a farm torch and they've even assembled it. This torch kit is still plenty powerful for lots of tough jobs all year long and generates heat up to 2,000° F. The 100,000 BTU Weed Dragon quickly hooks up to any refillable propane tank (barbeque cylinders work great) and even comes with a hand-tighten tank fitting (you don't even need a wrench). Overall length from torch bell to back of handle is 27 1/2". 100,000 Burner Kit includes 100,000 BTU Torch with plastic grip 10' U.L. Listed LP Gas Hose Hand Tighten Excess Flow P.O.L. Fitting Adjustable Needle Valve Spark Lighter Pipe Thread Compound VT 2-23 Vapor Torch Specifications Maximum Capacity 100,000 BTU/hr Normal Operating Pressure 18 P.S.I. Operating Pressure Range 5 - 25 P.S.I. Approximate Flame Temperature 2050 Degrees F Fuel Consumption @ 30 P.S.I. 2.25 lbs/hr Max Fuel Consumption 4.6 lbs/hr Fuel Inlet 1/4" NPT Torch Bell Diameter 2" Handle Length 23" Overall Torch Length 27 1/2" Oxygen is necessary to have a hot flame (and therefore a hot atmosphere throughout the kiln). By covering/plugging the peep holes completely, you are drastically limiting your temperature capacity in the kiln. If you need to adjust the drafting of the kiln, the most you should do is cover 1/2 of one or two peep holes. Never more than that. When we raku at Bracker's (as seen in this slideshow), we fire all day long for a huge group of people, so we use a 100# cylinder and fire 6-8 cycles for each kiln setup (we usually have 3-5 kiln setups firing at the same time off separate tanks). Most people wouldn't do quite that much firing. We have two different sized burners available. The one you might see in the photos of us raku firing is the larger burner with a 500,000 BTU capacity and is appropriate for 40# or 50# cylinders and up. The other burner is a 100,000 BTU burner that is more appropriate for the smaller propane tanks like the 20# cylinders available at a hardware store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc) or convenience store. From our experiences, stay away from the Blue Rhino brand tanks - they're might be fine for the occasional backyard grill, but they aren't very good for raku firing. The small burner is also appropriate for 30# cylinders and occasionally 40# cylinders. A local propane dealer (propane is also referred to as "LP" or liquid propane; search the yellow pages or online for propane and/or natural gas supply, grill-oriented businesses, or welding supply businesses) is a much better source for propane tanks and propane refills than the hardware or convenience stores that offer those tank exchange cages. Many times you can either rent or purchase a tank. When you own your own tank, you just need to take it in for refills and are only charged the cost for the amount of propane it takes to fill-up the tank. The propane dealer will also make sure that you have the correct safety valves and can help if you need a pressure regulator valve or, if necessary, a high altitude valve (usually not an issue unless you're on a mountain). Either of the burners paired with the appropriately sized propane tank will work just as well as the other. The big difference is capacity. Is raku firing an occasional thing you do or is it a significant part of your work? If you plan to raku for a couple of hours once in a while, a 20#, 30#, or 40# cylinder with a 100,000 BTU burner is appropriate. If you raku frequently and/or it's inconvenient to get a propane refill, a 50# or 100# cylinder and the 500,000 BTU burner might be more suitable. The burners we sell are Red Dragon torches (they market them for burning weeds, among other things). Both of these burners are natural draft burners. It's NOT a forced-air burner (the air force would be likely to blow your pots over during this type of firing and is completely overkill for what a potter wants to accomplish in a raku firing).
Information from the manufacturer This is the original Red Dragon Torch Kit and continues to be the most popular torch kit in North America. This 500,000 BTU/hr torch is our most powerful vapor torch and can handle the toughest jobs all year long. A great overall utility torch for years and years of service. Perfect for Farm and Ranch, Construction, Road Crews, Grounds Maintenance, Industry and More. Runs on tank pressure. No regulator required. Torch has a 3" diameter bell and a total length of 33 1/2". 500,000 Burner Kit includes 500,000 BTU VaporTorch 10' U.L. Listed LP Gas Hose Hand Tighten Excess Flow P.O.L. Fitting Adjustable Needle Valve Spark Lighter Pipe Thread Compound VT 3-30 Vapor Torch Specifications Maximum Capacity 500,000 BTU/hr Normal Operating Pressure 30 P.S.I. Operating Pressure Range 5 - 90 P.S.I. Approximate Flame Temperature 2050 Degrees F Fuel Consumption @ 30 P.S.I. 10.13 lbs/hr Max Fuel Consumption 23.3 lbs/hr Fuel Inlet 1/4" NPT Torch Bell Diameter 3" Handle Length 28" Overall Torch Length 33 1/2" Oxygen is necessary to have a hot flame (and therefore a hot atmosphere throughout the kiln). By covering/plugging the peep holes completely, you are drastically limiting your temperature capacity in the kiln. If you need to adjust the drafting of the kiln, the most you should do is cover 1/2 of one or two peep holes. Never more than that. When we raku at Bracker's (as seen in this slideshow), we fire all day long for a huge group of people, so we use a 100# cylinder and fire 6-8 cycles for each kiln setup (we usually have 3-5 kiln setups firing at the same time off separate tanks). Most people wouldn't do quite that much firing. We have two different sized burners available. The one you might see in the photos of us raku firing is the larger burner with a 500,000 BTU capacity and is appropriate for 40# or 50# cylinders and up. The other burner is a 100,000 BTU burner that is more appropriate for the smaller propane tanks like the 20# cylinders available at a hardware store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc) or convenience store. From our experiences, stay away from the Blue Rhino brand tanks - they're might be fine for the occasional backyard grill, but they aren't very good for raku firing. The small burner is also appropriate for 30# cylinders and occasionally 40# cylinders. A local propane dealer (propane is also referred to as "LP" or liquid propane; search the yellow pages or online for propane and/or natural gas supply, grill-oriented businesses, or welding supply businesses) is a much better source for propane tanks and propane refills than the hardware or convenience stores that offer those tank exchange cages. Many times you can either rent or purchase a tank. When you own your own tank, you just need to take it in for refills and are only charged the cost for the amount of propane it takes to fill-up the tank. The propane dealer will also make sure that you have the correct safety valves and can help if you need a pressure regulator valve or, if necessary, a high altitude valve (usually not an issue unless you're on a mountain). Either of the burners paired with the appropriately sized propane tank will work just as well as the other. The big difference is capacity. Is raku firing an occasional thing you do or is it a significant part of your work? If you plan to raku for a couple of hours once in a while, a 20#, 30#, or 40# cylinder with a 100,000 BTU burner is appropriate. If you raku frequently and/or it's inconvenient to get a propane refill, a 50# or 100# cylinder and the 500,000 BTU burner might be more suitable. The burners we sell are Red Dragon torches (they market them for burning weeds, among other things). Both of these burners are natural draft burners. It's NOT a forced-air burner (the air force would be likely to blow your pots over during this type of firing and is completely overkill for what a potter wants to accomplish in a raku firing).
K26 bricks - capable of temperatures up to 2600°F (1427°C) Individual soft insulating firebrick dimensions: 9" x 4.5" x 2.5" sold as a case of 25 bricks. Soft insulating fire bricks (IFB) are used for general kiln construction because they are lightweight and easy to cut without the use of special saws or tools. Also used as a heat-resistant surface for metal soldering and to fire PMC+, PMC3.
A spectacular metallic, iridescent glaze that produces a myriad of colors including: maroon, gold silver, blue, red and copper. Best when applied medium to thick. Observations by Cindy Bracker when using this glaze: "I was blown away by the deep blue-greens blending into yellows, and subtle golden metallics that edge toward magenta & purple when reduced in Excelsior. With leaves as the reduction material, dark greens edging toward silvery-metallic was predominant, while the sawdust provided more of the results I expected – flashy copper metallic with the deep purple and blue iridescent tones. Laguna’s R-13 Copper has earned itself a spot in my regular repertoire of Raku glazes."
Expensive but worth the price. A smooth, not glossy, surface of maroon and green that provides great patterns with reduction. Not fluid. Apply to medium thickness.
The trashcan lid that we have used for decades for our raku kiln has recently changed. We are testing the durability of the new lid. While we do not expect any problems with the new lid and anticipate returning to production with the new lid soon, we are not taking active orders. You may use the pre-order button and submit an order with no payment (use the NET 30 option at checkout) and we will put you on a list to contact when we have completed testing and are entering production phase.
OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS: 20-3/4" diameter, 27-1/2" tall (including the handle)INSIDE DIMENSIONS: 19-1/2" diameter x 24" Tall**please note that you will lose about 5" of interior height to the shelf and shelf supports.
The Bracker Raku Kiln is a lightweight and portable design for firing ceramic pieces in your own backyard. The kiln we make today was designed by Bill Bracker in the early 1970's utilizing the technology of ceramic fiber. The kiln is made by lining a cage of wire fence material and a metal garbage can lid with one-half inch thick fiber blanket. The fiber is then rigidized with a mixture of sodium silicate and water. The use of the fiber allows the ceramicist to have the insulating qualities of 2-1/2 inches of soft insulating firebrick, yet it is light enough that anyone is able to pick it up. A complete raku set-up would include the kiln, a burner, a propane tank, a pad of soft fire bricks (or an electric kiln lid or base), a posted shelf for inside the kiln, and tongs, along with the user-provided metal tub for water, a metal bucket or can for the raku tongs (which can be very hot after use) and a metal garbage can (with a lid) with reduction material. Setting up involves laying out the pad, posting the shelf on the pad, setting the pieces to be fired on the shelf, placing the kiln over the shelf and pieces, attaching the burner to the tank, placing the burner in front of the kiln's burner port, and lighting the burner.
PLEASE NOTE: This kit DOES NOT INCLUDE: a propane tank, kiln posts, garbage cans, or metal tubs.
First, firebricks provide an excellent way to post the first shelf. Cut two of the firebricks in half and use three of the cut half firebricks (2-1/2” x 4-1/2” x 4-1/2”) in a triangular formation. Second, the kiln’s atmosphere is easily controlled during the firing to modify the amount of oxygen your kiln load receives. The kiln is equipped with venting (or peep) holes directly above the burner port. These can be left open or plugged to oxidize or reduce the firing atmosphere. A bag of fiber scraps have been included with your kiln and can act as excellent peep hole plugs for this kiln. Third, the included burner is not a forced-air burner, so a good supply of oxygen to the burner head is imperative. The tip of the burner should be approximately 1/2” to 1” outside of the kiln, but you can also control the atmosphere and speed of firing by moving the burner slightly towards or away from the kiln. Initial firings in a cold kiln should take about an an hour and a half and successive firings should take approximately 60 minutes, depending on the glazes you might use and how many pieces you are firing (a tightly-packed kiln load could increase the firing time). The kiln is shipped with a bag of shredded paper inside. Not only does it provide crush resistance during transit without adding excessive shipping weight, but it can also be used as reduction material for your first firing. Also great reduction material: leaves, sawdust, excelsior, hamster/gerbil bedding, and pine needles (links to excelsior and small pet bedding are provided so you can see what we're referring to). Your kiln was also probably packed with some styrofoam packing peanuts or other styrofoam-like items to protect it. Do NOT use these for reduction material. In most cases (when you aren't using commercially available liquid raku glazes), raku glazes should be mixed dry, then prepared with water as needed for each firing session. This is particularly important in glazes with a high content of gerstley borate. Safety is of utmost concern when raku firing. Make all participants and spectators aware of the open flame and the layout of the raku set-up so that no one gets hurt. Also make them aware of the flurry of activity that will occur when the firing is complete and the pots are moved to the reduction material or water. A “dry run” of this is helpful in choreographing duties and requirements of the participants as well as making sure that reduction material and water is in a convenient location. An extra bucket of water on hand for safety is also recommended. We encourage you to experiment with how regular low-fire glazes work in a raku firing. Some will work great and some won’t, and you can only find out by testing.
The raku kit includes:
The raku kiln itself
a case of 25 soft insulating firebricks that are rated to 2600°F, commonly called K26 bricks
1 - 15-1/2” full round kiln shelf
1 - propane torch (or burner, depending on who is talking about it)
100,000 BTU torch that works best with smaller propane tanks, like you’d get for your BBQ grill
that 20 pound size tank will usually last for 2-3 firing cycles
or 500,000 BTU torch that works best with larger propane tanks
the tank visible in the video is a 100 pound cylinder because when we have raku firings, we fire at least 5 or 6 times in a row for each tank
I’d suggest using size torch with 40 pound or larger cylinders
1 pair of raku tongs, either the Kemper RK45 with teeth or the RK37 without teeth
in my opinion, the RK45 are the more versatile tongs
1 pair leather welders gloves
not appropriate for holding hot pots, but good for handling hot reduction chamber lids, etc.
The raku kit ships via LTL freight on one pallet. Shipping costs vary, but a rough estimate to ship from Lawrence, Kansas to a location on one of the East or West coasts is $255 as of Januaray 2023
A 15-1/2" round shelf designed for top-loading round kilns. Measures approximately 5/8" thick.
Pressed High Alumina kiln shelves are ideal for fast and high firings and exhibit exceptional durability to cone 11. Comparable to silicon carbide in strength but at a fraction of the cost. Pressed production of these shelves creates an extremely dense and strong shelf that resists warping. Offers extra protection against thermal shock due to rapid firing and cooling. The alumina content of these shelves is 11-12% higher than the cordierite shelves most commonly used by potters today. Great to use in Gas kilns. Not recommended for salt and wood firing. Also high alumina and corderite shelves are not recommended for raku firings due to extreme and uneven temperature. Please note: there is no warranty on refractories! There are many factors that can cause shelves to fail over which we have no control. It is the nature of the material. Other than shipping damages, no claims can be made on refractories.
The trashcan lid that we have used for decades for our raku kiln has recently changed. We are testing the durability of the new lid. While we do not expect any problems with the new lid and anticipate returning to production with the new lid soon, we are not taking active orders. You may use the pre-order button and submit an order with no payment (use the NET 30 option at checkout) and we will put you on a list to contact when we have completed testing and are entering production phase.
The Bracker Raku Kiln is a lightweight and portable design for firing ceramic pieces in your own backyard. The kiln we make today was designed by Bill Bracker in the early 1970's utilizing the technology of ceramic fiber. The kiln is made by lining a cage of wire fence material and a metal garbage can lid with one-half inch thick fiber blanket. The fiber is then rigidized with a mixture of sodium silicate and water. The use of the fiber allows the ceramicist to have the insulating qualities of 2-1/2 inches of soft insulating firebrick, yet it is light enough that anyone is able to pick it up. A complete raku set-up would include the kiln, a burner, a propane tank, a pad of soft fire bricks (or an electric kiln lid or base), a posted shelf for inside the kiln, and tongs, along with the user-provided metal tub for water, a metal bucket or can for the raku tongs (which can be very hot after use) and a metal garbage can (with a lid) with reduction material. Setting up involves laying out the pad, posting the shelf on the pad, setting the pieces to be fired on the shelf, placing the kiln over the shelf and pieces, attaching the burner to the tank, placing the burner in front of the kiln's burner port, and lighting the burner.
Please note - the number one problem we hear about is people having trouble getting their kiln to temperature. This is almost always because the burner is too close to (or even inside) the kiln. Combustion requires oxygen, so allow plenty of space (6-10") between the burner tip and the burner opening on the kiln
Use these long-handled tongs to grip both large and small raku pieces without danger of burns. Made from rust-free plated steel, the jaws are strong, solid steel with secure lightweight tubular handles. RK37 has a 37° jaw and 39-1/2" length. RK45 has a 45° jaw and 31" length.
Use these long-handled tongs to grip both large and small raku pieces without danger of burns. Made from rust-free plated steel, the jaws are strong, solid steel with secure lightweight tubular handles. RK37 has a 37° jaw and 39-1/2" length. RK45 has a 45° jaw and 31" length.
Due to the many variables involved in Raku firing, particularly during the reduction phase, chip charts and printed color charts should be used only as approximate guidelines. Your results may vary greatly due to different firing conditions. RAKU FIRING: Spectrum raku glazes can be fired anywhere from 1600°F up to cone 06 (1850°F) in either an electric or gas kiln. We recommend firing 850 to 856 and 868 to 879 to a peak of 1700 - 1750°F and 860 to 866 to a peak of 1600 - 1650°F. They should be allowed to cool in the kiln to 1600°F. Different combinations of peak temp and reduction starting temp will produce different results. While still red hot they should be transferred as quickly as possible into a reduction bin (typically a lidded metal garbage can or small metal container that has been lined with organic material, such as newspaper and/or sawdust, etc.). As soon as the pieces are in the bin the lid should be put on to keep oxygen from entering the container, in order to develop the reduction atmosphere. The pieces should be allowed to cool in the bin for at least 20 minutes. WARNING: When red hot pieces go into the bin, the organic material ignites and will produce flames and smoke. This part of the firing, particularly the opening of the reduction bin, should be done outside. Always take safety precautions when firing raku such as the use of high temperature gloves, protective eyewear, and a respirator. Always have a fire extinguisher handy. FIRING TIPS Try to size the reduction bin to the size of the piece. Establish a good seal to the reduction bin so that air is not entering and smoke is not leaving the bin. Position the organic material ( newspaper, sawdust, etc.) and the piece so that the flames can get all around the piece. Different organic materials may produce very different results, for example a glaze reduced in newspaper could be a beautiful blue color and the same glaze reduced in sawdust could have a metallic copper appearance. Pieces should be cleaned immediately with water and a hard bristle brush. After cleaning, warm the pieces in the kiln to evaporate any water from the piece. This helps to set the colors more permanently.
K26 bricks - capable of temperatures up to 2600°F (1427°C) Individual soft insulating firebrick dimensions: 9" x 4.5" x 2.5" Soft insulating fire bricks (IFB) are used for general kiln construction because they are lightweight and easy to cut without the use of special saws or tools. Also used as a heat-resistant surface for metal soldering and to fire PMC+, PMC3.
![Kiln Gloves [raku gloves] - pair](//goodearthclays.com/cdn/shop/files/kgleather__05253.1648747632.1280.1280.jpg?v=1726260985&width=645)
![Kiln Gloves [raku gloves] - pair](//goodearthclays.com/cdn/shop/files/kgleather__05253.1648747632.500.750.jpg?v=1726260985&width=645)
![Kiln Gloves [raku gloves] - pair](http://goodearthclays.com/cdn/shop/files/kgleather__05253.1648747632.1280.1280.jpg?v=1726260985&width=645)
![Kiln Gloves [raku gloves] - pair](http://goodearthclays.com/cdn/shop/files/kgleather__05253.1648747632.500.750.jpg?v=1726260985&width=645)
