Firing clay churchwarden pipes

Hi! I have recently started experimenting with making Churchwarden
pipes out of white earthenware clay. By what I have read the pipes are
not glazed, and must be fired at a low enough temperature to retain the
clay's porosity. I really have no idea at what temperature this should
be as it is the first time I use clay since highschool so I would
really appreciate your help.

Thanks and sorry for the bother.

How are you making the churchwardens? pressed or slip? A pressed or formed
clay pipe can be fired to a cone 6, if you have used a slip mold you should
probably stay with a cone 4. the slip cast pieces tend to be slightly less
porous at cone 6. You can glaze them if you would like, just keep the glaze
out of the bowl. If you do glaze it inside and out, you essentially have a
glass pipe...not good for tobacco but great for other smoking materials, if
you know what I mean. I have made many clay pipes, including churchwardens
using both methods, I'll be happy to give you any advise I can. It's great
fun and in my opinion clay is the best type of pipe to smoke as it requires
no breaking in period, and contrary to popular opinion the smoke much cooler
than a briar pipe. Just know that you will break a LOT of pipes...a
greenware pipe will simply fall apart in your hands.

rickei





in article , Nibin at
wrote on 9/8/05 7:40 PM:

Hi! I have recently started experimenting with making Churchwarden
pipes out of white earthenware clay. By what I have read the pipes are
not glazed, and must be fired at a low enough temperature to retain the
clay's porosity. I really have no idea at what temperature this should
be as it is the first time I use clay since highschool so I would
really appreciate your help.

Thanks and sorry for the bother.