What is the best quality clay for pottery?

Before purchasing apparatus, it is prudent to consider which clay to use. There are numerous types of clay from which to choose. Determine which option is ideal for you.

When I first began making pottery, I was astonished and bewildered by the variety of clays available.

I used the clay that was provided to me at the pottery studio until I understood the distinctions and began experimenting with various clays.

What to Look For When Selecting Clay?

1.	Price (Good Price Point for beginners)
2.	Texture (Silky, coarse, or intermediate)
3.	Cone size (Firing Temperature)
4.	Type of Clay Body (Earthenware, Stoneware, or Porcelain)
5.	Color (What effect are you looking for)

1) Price Point

The wonderful thing about clays today is the variety of options and price ranges available. Due to the sheer quantity of practice clay you will go through, I would advise beginners to begin with the less expensive clay.

Recycling or reclaiming your clay scraps is another way to save money and show your clay a little affection. Here is an article I wrote on How Many Times You Can Reclaim Clay that discusses why it is essential not to waste, and how you can use nearly all of your clay with a little extra effort.

2) What Is The Best Texture For You  

When selecting clay, it is important to know whether it contains grog (ground-up fired clay), grit, both, or neither. Your selection will depend on the purpose of the clay and your level of expertise.

Handbuilding Clay 

You must use clay that can stand on its own as you construct your masterpiece. Both Stoneware and Earthenware are excellent clays for handbuilding.

While scoring and slipping clay parts together, you do not want the clay to collapse or sag.

When selecting a Hand Building Clay, it is preferable to choose one with more grog, grit, or both, as a lower shrinkage rate helps prevent cracking.

Clay Used for Spinning the Wheel

Clay should be as smooth as feasible without collapsing on the wheel. Stoneware with grog was the first clay I threw on the wheel; it felt like casting with fine sandpaper.

I recommend a stoneware or earthenware clay that is nice and smooth, has enough texture to play with for hours, and does not harm your hands even after hours of throwing.
When it comes to casting clay on a wheel, porcelain is the superior material. The clay feels great against my fingertips, but it is less forgiving than stoneware and earthenware clays.

3) What Cone Size Do You Need.

The instructor of my first pottery class stated, “You will be using Cone 10 clay.”
I inquired, “What is a Cone?”

The instructor responded, “A Pyrometric cone measures the maximum temperature to which your object can be fired in a kiln.”

When selecting clay, it is imperative to know the cone measurement. The firing temperatures of each form of clay may determine the type of kiln you need.

What temperature do you intend to fire to?

The cone size of your clay should match the cone size of your glazes because clay and glaze can expand and contract together, making them a precise fit and food-safe. Essentially, there are three distinct temperature regions. When purchasing clay, it is essential to know the kiln’s firing temperature and the cone size of your clay body and enamel.

Minimal Flame

Low Fire temperatures range from Cone 022 (1087 degrees Fahrenheit or 587 degrees Celsius) to Cone 2. (2088 degrees F or 1142 degrees C ) The most well-liked firing range is Cone 04 to 06.

Mid Fire

Mid Fireranges between Cone 3 (2106 degrees F or 1152 degrees C) to Cone 7 ( 2,262 degrees F or 1239 degrees C ) Cone 5 and 6 is the most popular discharge range.
Mid-fire is popular due to the variety of glaze colors available and because it is suitable for dinnerware. When selecting mid-fire clay, ensure that the number does not begin with a zero. The clay or glaze will dissolve in the kiln if it has a low melting point.

High heat

High Fire ranges from Cone 8 (2280 degrees Fahrenheit or 1249 degrees Celsius) to Cone 10 (2,345 degrees Fahrenheit or 1285 degrees Celsius), with Cone 10 being the most popular.
This clay is firmer and more durable than clays with a lower firing temperature. If mid-fire or low-fire clay is high-fired, it will bubble, deform, and even dissolve in the kiln.

Important: the cone size should be indicated in the description or label. If it is absent, I would not purchase it because it is unknown to what temperature, if any, it can be fired. Remember that there are no fire clays.

4) What Type of Clay Body To Use

Different varieties of clay are distinguished by the minerals they contain, their plasticity (stickiness and workability), the size of their platelets, and the firing temperatures.

There are three fundamental varieties of clay bodies available to beginners: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. These are some factors you should consider when selecting clay.

5) Colors To Choose From

Today’s clay is available in a variety of colors, which is one of its greatest advantages. These are some possible color options to consider.

If you want your glaze hues to pop, white is a good choice. The hue tends to become more vivid. White clay does not stain clothing or anything else for that matter, making cleanup easier.

When it comes to the vibrancy of glazes, the color Sand/Buff is very near to white because there is not much of a difference. When buff clay is wet, it appears quite dark; however, once bisqued, it has a light buff hue that does not interfere with the glaze hues.

If you like working with intense, rich colors, red is an excellent choice. Red is attractive with a clear matte, satin, or glossy finish. As a result of their iron content, darker clays will discolor your clothing. View What to wear when creating pottery.

Black clay is a striking color that pairs well with light or white underglazes or on its own with a transparent glaze.