C/6 Soda Firing @ RCS

Rat City Studios: 2410 SW 106th Street, Seattle, WA 98146

Upcoming Soda Firings are announced first on our Clay Q&A Platform & via our newsletter. We have tons of info on our soda firing process, glazes, and more. This online platform is open for anyone to join.
Join “Clay Q&A” NOW!

Buy Soda Shares
Waitlist for Full Firings

All participants MUST Schedule a “15-minute Check-In” to have their pots measured
Please read this page before registering.
Refund Policy.
There are NO refunds if you do not bring the amount of pots you commit to bring.

See Clay Q&A: Platform for link to sign up for specific hours. Refunds follow our general policy for classes. Refund Policy.

October 14th Soda Firing

  • Monday, 14th 9pm, Last availability to drop off pots at RCS

  • Tuesday, 15th Load 9am-12pm (wad squad)

  • Wednesday, 16th Fire and introduce soda

  • Saturday 18th, unload 9am-11am (wad squad)

  • Saturday 18th, Everyone Share & Pick up 11am

November 4th Soda Firing

  • Monday, 3rd 9pm, Last availability to drop off pots at RCS

  • Tuesday, 4th Load 9am-12pm (wad squad)

  • Wednesday, 5th Fire and introduce soda

  • Saturday 8th, unload 9am-11am (wad squad)

  • Saturday 8th, Everyone Share & Pick up 11am

January 15th Soda Firing

  • Wednesday 14th, 9pm, Last availability to drop off pots at RCS

  • Thursday 15th Load 9am-12pm (wad squad)

  • Friday, 16th Fire and introduce soda

  • Wednesday 21st unload 4:30-6:30pm (wad squad)

  • Wednesday 21st, Everyone Share & Pick up 6:30pm

February 12th Soda Firing

  • Wednesday 11th, 9pm, Last availability to drop off pots at RCS

  • Thursday 12th Load 9am-12pm (wad squad)

  • Friday, 13th Fire and introduce soda

  • Wednesday 18th unload 4:30-6:30pm (wad squad)

  • Wednesday 18th, Everyone Share & Pick up 6:30pm

March 12th Soda Firing

  • Wednesday 11th, 9pm, Last availability to drop off pots at RCS

  • Thursday 12th Load 9am-12pm (wad squad)

  • Friday, 13th Fire and introduce soda

  • Wednesday 18th unload 4:30-6:30pm (wad squad)

  • Wednesday 18th, Everyone Share & Pick up 6:30pm

the RCS Soda Kiln “Corona”

Vase by Chris Barker - Whitestone, OMG Terra Sig, Underglaze, soda

Cup by Anika major - Whitestone with oestreich crackle, underglaze, & soda


Soda Firing Calendar


Tea bowl by daniel brown - oregon red clay with helmar flashing slip & soda

Cup by Chris Russell - White stroneware with Oestreich Crackle Slip & soda

Steps for joining the Soda Firing

  1. Join Clay Q&A: (online app/ platform).
    Clay Q&A is our “Space” on the Mighty Networks App.
    It is our online information-sharing platform.

    — Learn all about our

    — details for the sign-up & firing process.

    — learn about our glazes, flashing slips, and soda firing

    — Read about your allotted kiln space

    — Decide if you want to buy a share.

  2. Purchase shares for the firing. Shares are $55 each. Buy as many as you’d like.
    — Each share is 1/2 Cubic Foot. (this is a 6” x 12” x 12” space.)
    — Each share comes with 2 hours of glazing and wadding at RCS during designated hours

  3. Make your artwork for the kiln!

  4. Schedule Check-in and Glazing time

    — Each participant must schedule a 15-minute Check-in for measuring your pots/ shares.
    — Glazing and Check-in must be scheduled (link on Clay Q&A). It is ideal to Check-in before glazing your pots to avoid chipping your glaze. You are also welcome to wax, glaze, or prepare at home.

    Please fill the space you purchase! No more no less. If you bring extra, please be ready to purchase more space in the kiln if it is available. If you bring extra, these need to be labeled as such. If there is extra room in the kiln we will add them at the end.

WAD SQUAD = The Wad Squad helps with loading and unloading. It is physical work! We carefully place pots and heavy shelves, we unload, we clean up, we scrap shelves, and make it all happen. If you are interested in helping with loading, unloading,g and all the work that goes into it, add your name to the list here. (More Info)

Vase by Ankita Dave -
Porcelain with Helmar Flashing Slip & soda

Loading the kiln

All artwork must be glazed before loading Day!
Deb will load the soda kiln with the RCS Wad Squad

FIRING the KILN

The kiln is fired overnight and through the next day. Participants are invited to help introduce soda into the kiln! The soda solution is added to the kiln at peak temperature > this is TBD based on the firing.

Spraying in soda solution

Firing the kiln:
Firing the kiln will take 12+ hours. It is checked every 30-60 minutes. The results will be logged online so you can follow along if you’d like to.

Introducing the Soda Solution:
To participate this portion of the workshop, you must wear long, non-flammable pants (blue jeans), closed-toed shoes (preferably a boot), and your hair up and back. You will be around extreme heat. You will consistently be taking off and putting on gloves.

Sharing and Pick-up

Unloading and cleaning up:
Deb & the RCS Wad Squad will unload and place all the artwork on tables. The workshop participants are welcome to come see all the results at the designated time (see times at the top of the page).

Be sure to bring plenty of packing material, as well as, boxes and/or totes to nest your finished pieces into after share time. And now, the workshop is complete!