When potters talk about ceramic firing ranges, they are usually referring to the three most common: low-fire, mid-range, and high-fire ranges. In regards to glazes, we need to add two other ranges: very low-fire and lower mid-range firing ranges. Low-fired ware can present some difficulties, including
the clay body may remain overly porouslow-fire glaze colors can appear rather harsh and raw-lookingthe high percentage of flux or stronger-acting fluxes used can result in a softer, less durable glaze, andmany of the traditional glaze materials used in this range are quite toxic in their raw state.
Other advantages to firing in the mid-range include
ability to adjust and use stoneware clay bodies to this range in turn, mid-range stoneware bodies increase the durability of the ware mid-range glazes are also more durable than those fired at lower temperatures, and there is still a fairly extensive color range available.
