Earthenware or Stoneware? Choosing a Clay

The clay body you choose decides how a piece is fired, how strong it is and whether it holds water. Two broad families cover most beginner work.

Earthenware

Earthenware is non-vitreous pottery fired at relatively low temperatures. Basic earthenware, often called terracotta, absorbs water unless it is glazed. It is warm in colour, easy to work and well suited to decorative pieces and planters.

Stoneware

Stoneware is fired at a higher temperature until it becomes vitreous or nearly so, making it impervious to water. It is strong and suits mugs, bowls and everyday tableware.

How to choose

• Use what your studio's kiln is set up to fire. This matters more than anything else.
• Smooth clays show detail; groggy clays with added grit are better for larger hand-built forms.
• Do not mix clay bodies in one piece; they shrink differently.

Read the bag

The supplier's label or data sheet gives the firing range and other properties. Follow it rather than general advice, including anything on this site.

Reclaiming scraps

Unfired clay can be soaked, dried to a workable state and wedged again. Keep different clays in separate reclaim buckets.

Out of the kiln 2026-10-20