Goerg & Schneider 254 White Stoneware Clay, 25% Grog, 0–0.2 mm

Goerg & Schneider Clay 254 – white stoneware clay for throwing, handbuilding and pressing

Clay 254 from Goerg & Schneider is a stoneware clay that fires white to light cream, for throwing, handbuilding, pressing and stamping. It contains 25% grog with a fine particle size of 0 to 0.2 mm. The grog gives the clay extra strength but is barely noticeable in your hands. The pack contains 10 kg.

According to the manufacturer, the clay is suitable for throwing, particularly for larger pieces, and for handbuilding small pieces. Because of the light colour of the fired clay body, it works well with transparent, coloured and opaque glazes.

What clay 254 is suited to

On the potter's wheel you can use the clay for vessels and objects, including larger pieces. For handbuilding it suits smaller projects, as well as modelling and pressing or stamping with moulds or ceramic pressing tools. The very fine grog stabilises the clay without making the surface as rough as a coarse-grogged handbuilding clay.

Drying and firing

Dry your pieces slowly and evenly. Cover larger pieces or those of uneven thickness loosely during the first drying phase, so that rims, bases and attached parts do not dry at different rates. Allow for shrinkage when measuring: the manufacturer gives a drying shrinkage of 7%, while firing shrinkage rises with temperature from 3% at 1070 °C to 7% at 1240 °C.

• Recommended firing range according to the manufacturer: 1000–1280 °C
• Water absorption falls as the firing temperature rises, to 0.4% at 1240 °C

Choosing a glaze

Choose a glaze that suits the firing temperature of your clay. On the light clay body, transparent, coloured and opaque glazes show up well, and unglazed areas also keep the light ceramic look. A fired test piece shows you in advance how glaze and clay work together.

Goerg & Schneider Clay 254 product details

• Manufacturer: Goerg & Schneider, product number 254
• Clay type: stoneware clay
• Grog content: 25%
• Particle size: 0–0.2 mm
• Fired colour: white to light cream
• Recommended firing range: 1000–1280 °C (manufacturer's properties table: 980–1280 °C)
• Use: throwing, handbuilding, pressing and stamping
• Drying shrinkage (at 110 °C): 7%
• Firing shrinkage: 3% at 1070 °C, 5% at 1140 °C, 7% at 1240 °C
• Water absorption: 9% at 1070 °C, 5% at 1140 °C, 0.4% at 1240 °C
• Coefficient of thermal expansion (20–500 °C, fired at 1240 °C): 64 × 10⁻⁷ °C⁻¹
• Contents: 10 kg

You will also need: depending on the technique, a potter's wheel or modelling tools, a kiln for firing, and glazes suited to the chosen firing temperature for the surface.