Answering the needs of potters working at Cone 5-6, this guide highlights the best glaze options available as ready-to-test sets or individual glazes. It’s ideal for mid-fire ceramic projects, whether you’re refining a glaze layer, layering effects, or experimenting with color shifts. The featured picks are best for hobbyists seeking variety, studios needing dependable mid-fire performance, and beginners who want a structured introduction to cone 5-6 glazes. A quick buying table follows to compare core details at a glance.
| Product | Main Benefit | |
|---|---|---|
| Penguin Pottery Specialty Set #1 | Colorful mid-fire glaze sampler | Creative experimentation, color testing |
| Penguin Pottery Specialty Set #2 | Additional color assortment | Color layering and blending |
| AMACO Potter’s Choice PC-17 Honey Flux | Flows over glazes, mid-high fire | Layering with honey tones |
| AMACO Potter’s Choice PC-42 Seaweed | Deep green, fluid texture | Layered glazes with vivid depth |
| Penguin Pottery Celadon Tangerine | Bright, glossy mid-fire glaze | Bold orange accent on mid-fire clay |
Penguin Pottery Specialty Set #1 — Mid Fire Cones 5 & 6
Includes seven 4 fl oz glaze jars and a 4 fl oz jar of wax resist. Colors include Ultra Marine, Flux White, Rutile, Rusty’s Red, Rose Quartz, Floating Green, and Clear. Best for testers who want a broad color range in one package and for makers seeking a wax-resist option to create layered effects. The wax resist adds capability for half-step relief designs before firing. Caution: ensure proper firing to Cone 5-6 to guarantee color development as shown on swatches.
Penguin Pottery Specialty Set #2 — Mid Fire Cones 5 & 6
Contains seven 4 fl oz glaze jars plus a 4 oz wax resist. Colors include Floating Blue, Chun Red, Purple Rain, Plum Jam, Fire Road, Narwhal Horn, and Clear. This is a strong option for layered, multi-color pieces, offering a wide spectrum for testing glaze interactions. Best for educators or studios needing a diverse color toolkit. Caution: layering too many colors may cause running if glaze thickness isn’t controlled.
AMACO Potter’s Choice Glaze PC-17 Honey Flux
AMACO PC-17 is a mid-high fire glaze that produces an opaque honey tone at Cone 5, shifting to a white with honey flecks at Cone 6. Apply over Cone 04 bisque and fire to Cone 5-6. It’s ideal for mid-fire pots that benefit from warm, resin-like depth. Best for pieces intended to showcase a creamy, honeyed glow. Limitation: as a single-layer glaze, it may require layering with other glazes for complex texture.
AMACO Potter’s Choice Glaze PC-42 Seaweed
Seaweed is a fluid green glaze that layers beautifully and can brown slightly when textured. Apply to Cone 04 bisque and fire to Cone 5-6. The glaze’s depth and subtle tonal shifts make it good for nature-inspired ceramics and tabletop pieces. Best for layered or textured surfaces. Caution: apply in even coats to avoid pooling on kiln shelves due to its fluid nature.
Penguin Pottery Clear Glaze — Mid Fire Glaze
Clear glaze designed for mid-fire use with a glossy finish. It is zinc-free and food-safe, suitable for layering over slips, stains, or underglazes. Always fire in a calibrated kiln at the proper cone to match your swatch. Best for adding a protective topcoat or enhancing surface detail. Limitation: over-firing or under-firing can affect gloss and adhesion.
Penguin Pottery Celadon Tangerine
Celadon Tangerine is a bold, glossy glaze with an orange hue and a high-shine finish. It’s lead-free, non-toxic, and food-safe for mid-fire glazes. It provides a bright accent color for mid-fire bodies and can be layered over slips or underglazes. Best for statement pieces and decorative ware. Caution: high color saturation may require careful control of glaze thickness to prevent pooling.
Buying Guide
- What is my firing range and clay type? Most cone 5-6 glazes work best with bisques fired to Cone 04 and bodies designed for mid-fire glazes. Confirm your kiln setup before selecting glazes.
- Do I want single-color simplicity or multi-color layering? Sets #1 and #2 offer broad color ranges for testing, while PC-17 and PC-42 provide strong, single-glaze personalities that layer well.
- How important is glaze behavior? Fluid glazes (Seaweed, Honey Flux) can create beautiful textures but require careful application to prevent running. Clear glazes can be used to protect and enhance underlying colors.
- Are there safety considerations? The catalog notes lead-free, non-toxic, and food-safe properties for several Penguin and AMACO glazes, which is important for functional wares.
- Which finishes do I prefer? Glossy mid-fire finishes give bright color and shine, while some glazes shift color between Cone 5 and Cone 6 for dynamic effects.
FAQ
- What cone should I fire these glazes to for best results? Most mid-fire glazes in this guide are intended for Cone 5-6, following proper Cone 04 bisque.
- Can I mix glazes from different brands? Yes, but expect color shifts and possible incompatibilities. Test combinations on test tiles first.
- Which glaze is best for testing multiple colors at once? Penguin Specialty Sets #1 and #2 are designed for color testing and experimentation.
- Are these glazes food-safe after firing? Several products listed are described as food-safe, but always follow manufacturer guidelines and ensure full firing and adequate cooling.
- Is wax resist required for textures? The Penguin sets include wax resist for additional design options during glazing and firing steps.
- What is the advantage of a clear glaze in mid-fire work? Clear glaze can protect color layers and enhance surface gloss without altering the base hue.