Amazing Pottery

Why is my newly glazed pottery making noises?

I am new to wheel-thrown pottery. I have 2 beautiful bowls that came out of the kiln several days ago. The odd thing is ... every 15 mins to an hour they make a high-pitched 'ping' type of noise. I don't see any cracks or chips in the glaze. Is this normal? Why is it happening? When will it stop?

Public Comments

1. Is there a lot of moisture in the air where you are? The pinging could possibly be the expansion and contraction of the piece of pottery. The pinging is the glaze pulling away from the dried clay. I wouldnt worry too much about it. If it starts to crack, then worry. It will stop when the clay has "settled" so to speak.
2. See it or not something is cracking or chipping. Let it go, not that there is much else you could do. It may turn into a good crackle design. If not, then if you still don't see anything, whats the problem, the sound will stop eventually. Without knowing what glaze you used (and clay type, and time you let it dry, and how long you let it cool after the bisk fire and before glazing, and... you get the point) I can't tell you if it's normal or not. But in any case, now you know how to throw on the wheel. Even if these do shatter into a million pieces (not likely) make some more!! Make some more even if they don't!! I never mastered throwing on a wheel, but my father was a potter for a very long time, and i always wished i had learned how to.