Maintaining a kiln at a constant peak temperature rather than immediately letting it cool. This allows heat to penetrate evenly through thick pieces, ensures glazes melt and smooth out completely, and helps burn off remaining carbon. A typical soak lasts anywhere from ten minutes to an hour depending on the clay body and kiln load.
Heard on the job
I programmed a fifteen minute soak at cone six to make sure that matte glaze fully develops.
Insider tip
Skipping a soak on a densely packed kiln often leads to pinholing or underfired glazes in the cooler zones.
Also heard as
- hold