GLAZE MIXING GUIDELINES
How Much Water to Add to Glaze Powder?
One of the most common questions I receive is: “How much water should I add?”
The honest answer is: it depends — but here is a reliable starting point.
I suggest beginning with a ratio of 8:10 (water : glaze powder). This will vary depending on the glaze and how you plan to apply it, but it’s a solid foundation from which to adjust.
From there, you will usually need to add a little more water until the glaze reaches a Specific Gravity (SG) of 140–150.
This means:
100 ml of glaze should weigh between 140–150 g.
In practice, this often ends up close to a 1:1 ratio, but it is always better to start thicker and slowly add more water. If the glaze becomes too runny, allow it to settle and carefully discard the excess water from the surface after a few hours.
I strongly recommend recording the SG of every batch you mix and keeping detailed notes of your glaze tests. Many special-effect glazes are extremely sensitive to thickness — your success (and ability to repeat results) depends on this precision.
If a glaze settles excessively and becomes difficult to remix, remember to introduce a deflocculant. Some handmade glazes benefit enormously from this and become far more pleasant to work with.
Exact water amounts cannot be universally prescribed, as they depend on:
application method (brushing, dipping, layering)
glaze composition
clay body absorption
desired thickness
Some glazes prefer to be brushed thicker, others need to be thinner and layered. This is why specific application tips are included under each glaze listing in the E-Book.
Important Mixing Note
Because these glazes are handmade, the dry powder is not pre-homogenised.
This means you must mix the entire bag with water at once to achieve an even formula.
YES — this means:
0.5 kg powder → mix in a 1L bucket
5 kg powder → mix in a 10L bucket
(Do not split batches.)
Firing Range
1240–1290°C
Oxidation / Electric firing
(Orton Cone 7 – Cone 9)
Please note:
Some glazes (such as LAVA) perform best only at Cone 7. Always refer to individual glaze recommendations.
This E-Book is for ceramic artists who value depth over shortcuts, understanding over guesswork, and process over trend. A companion for exploration, refinement, and growth.
