Stoneware is a mid to high-fire clay typically fired within which temperature range?

• A. Below 1200 C
• B. 1200 to 1800 C
• C. Above 1800 C
• D. 900 to 1100 C

Answer: (B)

Stoneware is a clay that matures at mid to high fire, meaning it needs hotter temperatures to become dense, strong, and nearly waterproof. The range around 1200 to 1800 degrees Celsius is what allows the clay body to vitrify adequately and for glazes to mature properly. If you fire much below 1200 C, the piece remains porous and not truly stoneware. If you push toward the upper end, up to around 1800 C, you’re staying within the higher end of stoneware maturity; going far beyond that can cause issues for many stoneware formulations, such as excessive melting or structural changes. In practice, this broad range covers the typical maturation temperatures for stoneware, giving the durability and non-porosity characteristic of this clay type.