For Flux Sake

Gabriel Kline and Bill Collins on food safe glazes

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you wondered what makes a glaze food safe? Today we are happy to welcome Gabriel Kline and Bill Collins to the show to talk about the topic, and ...

Why is the last 200 degrees of the firing the most important?

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you fire your kiln fast or slow? And does it really matter? Today the gang answer a few listener questions about the relationship between temperatu...

Why is my casting slip hard-panning?

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Commercial casting slips are great for their convenience, but what do you do when your recipe hard-pans in the bucket? Today the gang talk about why h...

Help my clay is plucking!

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had small pieces of an unglazed foot ring stick to a kiln shelf? This bummer of a phenomenon is called plucking, and today the gang talk...

Halloween Extravaganza with Lord Celsius, Wizard of Clays, and Copper Carb

01 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Halloween is our favorite holiday at For Flux Sake. We can't get enough of the costumes, candy, and science! Join the gang this week as they answer li...

What are the do's and dont's of working in a community studio?

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joining a new community studio can be exciting, but also a little scary. Today the gang talk about how to be a good community member. They also answer...

How do you convert glazes to European materials?

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever moved and had to convert your glazes to materials from a different continent? Today the gang talk about how you might do that along with...

What's the history behind Orton cones' unusual numbering system?

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode starts with a trip to Materials Corner where the gang talk about the likely end of a favorite Kaolin for soda firing. They also answer...

Is the bacteria in reclaimed clay a problem?

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

To start the show Kathy shares about the research being conducted into vanishing historic lusters at the Harvard Art Museum. The gang also answer lis...

What makes a glaze have a wide firing range?

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered why some glazes have a wide firing range? Today the gang talk about this phenomenon, answer listener questions about adding sta...

What defines low-fire ceramics?

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are back for season 5 of the show with a low-fire themed episode. Today the gang talk about a few parameters that define low-fire ceramics, as well...

How does a kiln sitter work?

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you remember the joys of using a kiln sitter? Those mini cones were so cute until you dropped one in the bottom of a fully loaded kiln. Even though...

How can you tell if a glaze is fully melted?

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today your favorite glaze experts answer a listener's question about judging the melt of an ash glaze, methods for wet mixing bentonite, and whether o...

Are metallic glazes similar to melted metal?

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered what makes a bronze glaze work? This week on the show the gang answer a listener's question about metallic oxides in glazes, an...

Can you adjust a cone 6 glaze up to cone 10?

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever found the perfect glaze, but it is formulated for a different temperature? Today the gang talk about adjusting glazes from cone 6 up to ...

Does how tight a kiln is packed affect its final temperature?

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you noticed how a tight kiln pack can slightly change your cones? In this week's episode the gang talk about why this happens, as well as answer ...

What does vinegar do to clay?

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered why vinegar is added to joining slip? This week on the show the gang talk about the use of vinegar in the studio and the absorp...

Fluxed Up with Steven Young Lee

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Steve Lee! In this episode of our Fluxed Up series, we dive into the precarious world of c...

Are ceramic sealers safe to use on functional ceramics?

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we return to the much loved topic of glaze durability on For Flux Sake. Kathy, Matt, and Rose start by talking about the long term durability of...

Episode 100!

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are celebrating the 100th episode of For Flux Sake! We'd like to thank the listeners for their excellent questions and for following along as...

Fluxed Up with Susan Feagin

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Susan Feagin! In this episode of our Fluxed Up series, we dive into the precarious world o...

When do glazes actually melt during the firing?

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered when the magic happens during the firing? This week on the show the gang talk about the last 100 degrees C of the firing when g...

Who are we?

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This show has been going on for so long that the gang thought they should reintroduce themselves. Kathy, Matt, and Rose start the show talking about t...

Fluxed Up with Meredith Host

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Meredith Host! In this episode of our Fluxed Up series, we dive into the precarious world ...

What should we know about cristobalite and quartz inversion?

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cristobalite and quartz inversion are the great boogie men of ceramics, often being used to explain cracking clay, glaze fit issues, and general ceram...

Fluxed Up with Paul Andrew Wandless

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Paul Andrew Wandless! In this episode of our Fluxed Up series, we dive into the precarious...

Are there budget-friendly black and purple glazes?

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever tried to create budget-friendly glazes? It can be hard, especially when you want rich purples and blacks. This week the gang talk about ...

How can I measure thermal expansion?

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you noticed thermal expansion measurements on your clay or glaze recipes? If so you might be wondering what those measurements mean, and how you ...

How can I get the best firing out of my new kiln?

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New kilns bring lots of excitement to the studio, but also a few questions. Should I calibrate my thermocouple? And, Do I need to adjust my firing rat...

Fluxed Up with Pattie Chalmers

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Pattie Chalmers! In this episode of our Fluxed Up series, we dive into the precarious worl...

What's up with all those pinholes?

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pin holes are a pesky issue in ceramics, largely because multiple glaze defects are often called pinholes. The gang talk about the myriad issues with ...

How can I make a speckled clay body?

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Speckled clay bodies have come roaring back in popularity and in this episode our intrepid clay experts talk about what you can add to your clay body ...

Do I have to glaze my pieces?

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode features a simple question. Do I have to glaze my pieces? The FFS gang talk about unglazed surfaces, and also discuss what triggers vi...

How do you make ceramic bakeware?

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wanted to bake bread in one of your pots? Today the gang answer a listener's question about the best way to make ceramic bakeware. They ...

Fluxed Up with Osa Atoe

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Osa Atoe! In this episode of our Fluxed Up series, we dive into the precarious world of ce...

Bentonite versus Epsom Salts?

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have the hard pan blues when your glazes settle like a rock to the bottom of the bucket? The gang talk about how bentonite and Epsom Salts migh...

Why is this glaze so gloopy?

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever mixed a glaze with the correct amount of water, but it still seems gloopy and thick? If you have then you might need to add a dispersant...

Why do pots get hot in the microwave?

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever noticed how some pots get really hot in the microwave? The gang talk about why this happens, and answer a listener question about colori...

Fluxed Up with Brett Kern-Happy Halloween!

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to a very spooky edition of Fluxed Up with Brett Kern. Today we dive into the precarious world of ceramics filled with funny stories, studio m...

How can we help North Carolina?

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you wondered how you can help support artists affected by Hurricane Helene? This week's show is dedicated to sharing information and resources to...

Are cone 6 soda fired pots durable?

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Atmospheric firing is so much fun! What's not to like about a process where you get to spray soda into a flaming hot kiln. This week the gang talk ab...

What's so special about a Bristol glaze?

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you heard of a Bristol glaze? This week on For Flux Sake the gang talk about the chemistry that makes these glazes work. They also discuss the cr...

Fluxed Up with Lisa Orr

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for the wonderful and hilarious ceramic artist Lisa Orr! In this episode of our new For Flux Sake segment Fluxed Up, we dive into the precar...

Is that an Oolite?

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever heard of an Oolite? Find out more about this rare and interesting glaze precipitate on this week's episode. The gang also take a trip to...

The agony and ecstasy of Gillespie Borate

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as the For Flux Sake gang dive into layering glazes. Have you ever noticed some glazes look better below others, but not on top? Find out why ...

Fluxed Up with Nick Sevigney

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Nick Sevigney! In this episode of our new For Flux Sake segment Fluxed Up, we dive into th...

Shivering Sucks

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're kicking off Season 4 of For Flux Sake with a bang—or should we say a "ping"? Matt, Rose, and Kathy are joined by producer Ben to unveil some e...

Can I use paint on my ceramics?

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 72, the gang discuss using acrylic paints on pottery. You'll learn when it's safe to use acrylics and find out the effects of firing temper...

Cone packs or cone plaques?

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We start today's episode learning why self-supporting cones are crucial for accurate firings, as well as everything you need to know about using cone ...

Does your water source affect glazes?

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listen in as the gang visit Materials Corner to discuss the latest updates surrounding the loss of Custer. Matt also answers a question from a brewer ...

Can ceramics be safely used for mixing hair dye?

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to episode 69 where Matt, Rose, and Kathy discuss a listener's question about the use of ceramic bowls in the hair salon. Can ceramic be safely...

What's the deal with Shino glazes?

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In episode 68, we're getting schooled on Shino glazes! Matt, Rose, and Kathy discuss some of the history, science, and stunning beauty of these unique...

Should I be afraid of manganese?

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Clay drama got you throwing shade? We've ALL been there! Join the For Flux Sake gang for episode 67 as we commiserate over inconsistent clay bodies an...

Glaze Doctors Live from NCECA!

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to Kathy, Rose, and Matt take your glaze concerns head-on in this fired-up live recording from the convention this year! The audience delivered...

Electric Kiln 101 with Freddy Fredrickson pt. 2

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to the final part of our conversation with the fantastic Freddy Fredrickson, former kiln master at Alfred University and founder of Fredrickson...

Electric Kiln 101 with Freddy Fredrickson pt. 1

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Matt as he dives deep into kilns with Freddy Frederickson, the legendary founder of Fredrickson Kiln Company. For over 30 years, Freddy wasn't ju...

Should I bisque higher than I glaze?

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Thanks to everyone who came out to our live taping at NCECA. We had a blast and look forward to airing that episode in a few weeks. Today on the show ...

How can I make durable floor tiles?

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Flux Sake is a technical delight! Rose and Matt unpack the fascinating world of commercial clay body profiling with Ceramic Material W...

Should I be afraid of lead leaching?

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The For Flux Sake crew is gearing up for NCECA! Tune in to find out their plans and where you can catch them live at the conference. They also dive de...

What are those symbols on my glaze label?

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode the gang talk about deciphering the labels on your commercial glazes. They also answer listener questions about standard bisquing t...

How often can I recycle my clay?

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode the gang talk about recycling clay, knowing how hot a slip or glaze can be fired, and tips for running a community studio. If you n...

Can a glaze flaw be aesthetically attractive?

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode the gang answer an interesting question about the beauty of glaze flaws, as well as discussing fake reduction glazes using silicon ...

Can I create atmospheric effects in an electric kiln?

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year from the For the Flux Sake gang! In today's episode Kathy, Rose, and Matt answer three listener questions about kiln peeps, creating at...

Do I have to sieve my glazes?

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For the Flux Sake the gang answer three listener questions about sieving glazes, burnishing clay, and wiping off bisque. If you ...

The end of an era...

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode the gang talk about the end of Custer Feldspar. How do we all adjust to one of America's most popular, and reasonably priced, felds...

What is the advantage of diversifying your fluxes?

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode the gang answer questions about the rising cost of lithium and the advantages of diversifying your fluxes. They also talk about the...

Cone six or bust!

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode the gang answer a few questions about cone six, including one about electric kiln temperatures, and another about firing cone 6 gla...

Happy Halloween! From flame ware to the blood bricks of Boston

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this extra spooky episode of For Flux Sake, the gang talk about flame ware, the best length of time to mix casting slip, and fast firing manual kil...

How can I tell if my matte glaze has fully melted?

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the gang talk about the chemistry of raku glazes, the prevalence of cone 8 in European ceramics, and the intricacies of a ful...

What does wedging actually do to clay?

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today the gang discuss three questions about clay, including what actually happens when you wedge. They also talk about the ever-evolving situation w...

What's the best way to test clay absorption?

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back for season three of For Flux Sake! Today the gang talk about fast firing, the best way to do an absorption test, and a pair of kiln ques...

Season 3 coming soon!

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your favorite glaze nerds are back for season three of For Flux Sake! New episodes drop every other Wednesday starting this week. If you have a questi...

How does throwing on the potter's wheel effect your body?

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are wrapping up our second season of the podcast and want to send a huge thank you to all of you for listening to the show. In this episode the gan...

How can I safely use gold luster?

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the show we have a great slate of questions from our listeners. Kathy, Matt, and Rose talk about the effect of Terra Siggilata on absorpt...

Why does clay shrink when fired?

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that disappointing feeling. You open a kiln and see a beautiful piece that looks exactly like yours, except that its oddly smaller than yo...

So what's up with lava glazes?

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you seen a lava glaze and wondered how to make that surface in your own studio? Today on the show, the gang talk about silicon carbide and its us...

Can I really fire my pots in a microwave?

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you see the video of the potter firing their pot in the microwave? Is that real? Today on the show the gang talk about this curiosity of ceramic t...

What is this mystery material?

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you inherited a studio's worth of raw materials but have no idea what they are? On today's episode of For Flux Sake the gang talk about how to te...

How do Crystalline Glazes work?

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake Matt does a deep dive into crystalline glazes. The gang also talks about the nature of frits and the composition o...

Should I trust my cones or my thermocouple during a firing?

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the best way to measure progress in a firing. They also talk about Chat GPT and the potentia...

Why does my glaze leave flash marks on the clay?

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today the gang check in after an exciting trip to NCECA. They also take questions about glaze recycling, hard water, and soluble sodium flashing. If ...

For Flux Sake Live! Vol. 2

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For today's episode we have a live taping from this year's NCECA conference in Cincinnati, OH. Kathy, Matt, and Rose took questions from the audience ...

Does clay really have memory?

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about clay memory and why some slab-built things warp. They also discuss delayed pinging and the ag...

What do I do if my glaze is hard panning?

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about dipping glazes and what to do when your glaze hard pans at the bottom of the bucket. If you h...

Why do so many cultures use unglazed pots for cooking?

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our hosts dive down the rabbit hole of unglazed ceramics and vitrification. Along the way Matt talks about the his...

What's the deal with Yellow Iron Oxide and Red Iron Oxide? Are they the same?

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our hosts answer a handful of questions about material substitutions. They talk about the similarities between iro...

Is it ok to recycle my throwing clay and use it as a casting slip?

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our hosts answer three questions about clay bodies. They talk about how you make casting slip, determining when it...

What is the best way to transport glazed bisque ware to the kiln?

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the best ways to transport glazed bisque ware from your home studio to the community kiln, an...

The Kiln Episode…and holiday gift guide!

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our hosts celebrate the holiday season with their ceramic gift guide. They also answer three questions about kilns...

Can you create reduction glazes in an electric kiln?

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our fearless hosts start with a listener question about what they make (or used to make) in their own studios. The...

What is the best way to display test tiles in your studio?

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake the gang start by talking about the best way to display test tiles in our studio. They also talk about copper as a...

Happy Halloween: How do I stop this creepy crawling glaze?

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's Halloween episode of For Flux Sake the gang answer three questions about glazes: to sieve or not to sieve, how to stop crawling, and a real...

What is Quartz Inversion?

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake the gang talk about one of the famous phenomena of ceramics, Quartz inversion. Is it a big deal or just a convenie...

Why is my clay dunting?

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake the gang answers a few questions about dunting, as well as how and when you should use target cones in a firing. M...

What is the best way to recycle clay?

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake the gang talks about the best ways to recycle clay and why tracking specific gravity can help with glaze applicati...

Can I use beach sand in my clay or glazes?

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake the gang answers a listener question about how you might incorporate materials from your local beach into your cer...

Season 2 coming soon!

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The gang are back for season two of the podcast! New episodes drop every other Wednesday starting this week. If you have a question you'd like Matt an...

What should I do with my left-over glazes?

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For Flux Sake wraps up their first season with a discussion of mold and water absorption in fired clay bodies, as well as, a few ways to approach wast...

The Pregnancy Episode

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today on For Flux Sake we have a special episode focused on studio safety and pregnancy. Host Rose Katz talks with Bill Katz, a retired OBGYN with ove...

Does the coefficient of expansion really matter for a glaze?

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the coefficient of expansion and its relevance for practical use when planning glazes for you...