Trimming

After the clay has dried to the degree that it is firm but not totally dry ("leather-hard"), it is turned over for trimming at the base. After trimming, the item is allowed to continue drying. When fully dry, rough edges around the base are sanded off.

Bisque Firing

When completely air-dried, the pot is bisque fired at a relatively low temperature, around 1830 degrees Fahrenheit, to make the clay ready for glazing. Bisque firing removes still more moisture out of the clay and makes the clay firm enough to handle, yet porous enough to absorb the liquid glaze. Bisque firing temperatures are similar to temperatures used for "low-fire" pottery, such as red clay garden pots and bricks. After bisque firing, stoneware and porcelain are ready to be glazed.

Before glazing, a water-soluble "wax-resist" is applied to the base of the piece and to any rims where other pieces of pottery will fit, such as the rims where a casserole lid will rest. Where wax has been applied, glazes will not adhere to the clay. This step is vital, since if the rims and bases of pots were glazed with no wax, the pots would fuse to the shelf or the lid would fuse to the pot when the glazes melt during firing.