The difference between soda firing and traditional wood firing

Soda Firing Process
The main component used in soda firing is sodium carbonate. When soda decomposes at high temperatures, it releases not only sodium but also other primary components such as carbon dioxide and water.

Soda firing produces a variety of colors, primarily through reactions between the soda and elements present in the kiln atmosphere or the clay body. For example:

Gray tones result from interaction with carbon.

Clay containing copper may develop pink hues.

The presence of cobalt can lead to blue coloration

During the wood-firing process, the unpredictable effects of flying ash from burning wood further contribute to the diverse and unexpected color possibilities in soda-fired ceramics.
In contrast, traditional naked wood firing involves placing raw clay pieces directly into the wood kiln without adding elements such as soda. The glaze effects in this method rely entirely on natural ash deposition.

While both soda firing and traditional wood firing take place in wood-burning kilns, soda firing introduces more human intervention, resulting in brighter and more colorful surfaces. Traditional wood firing, on the other hand, preserves a rustic, raw, and unrefined textural quality.