Pit Firing in Boulder

Pit firing is one of the oldest methods of firing pottery — clay is placed directly into a pit in the ground, surrounded by combustible materials, and burned. The smoke, ash, and chemicals create dramatic, unpredictable surface markings.

Pit firing happens outdoors over open flame — our studio fires modern electric kilns, but we teach the history and technique of pit firing in our workshops. Each pit-fired piece comes out completely unique, marked by fire, smoke, and chance, and it's a wonderful part of ceramic history to understand.

Pit Firing Classes at Boulder Pottery Studio

At Boulder Pottery Studio, we will teach pit firing as part of our pottery curriculum. Whether you're exploring this technique for the first time or deepening an existing practice, our instructors will guide you through the fundamentals and help you develop your skills.

All materials will be included in our class fees: clay, glazes, kiln firing, and tools. Our studio is planned around modern computer-controlled electric kilns, so firings are consistent and dependable.

Learn Pit Firing in Boulder

Join our email list to be notified when pit firing classes and workshops become available. We're opening in Spring 2027 and early subscribers get priority registration and founding member pricing.