Ceramics Vocabulary List C

Damp Box

A cabinet in which unfinished clay objects are stored to slow their drying.  *Plastic wrap is also used to keep clay damp.

Kiln

  A furnace for firing ceramic products.  Essentially a box of refractory bricks, into or around which heat is introduced either by combustion or by radiant heat. 

Pug Mill

A machine with paddle gear for grinding and mixing plastic clay.  The clay is mixed within the barrel and forced forward through the narrowing channel.

Bench Wheel

A small portable turntable used for rotating pottery in any state (except slip) in order to work on or decorate the pottery.  Also commonly referred to as a banding wheel because it is used to apply bands of color or texture. 

 

Slab Roller

A large piece of equipment that allows the artist to flatten out clay evenly throughout.  The slab roller replaces the old technique of using sticks or boards and a kitchen rolling pin.