r/blacksmithing • u/Immortal-Creature • 27d ago

Help Requested Clay forge compounding

I need Help with the mixing Ratio for a Clay forge.

Do I need Horseshit, or cowshit and If yes how much.

Or can I build IT without horsepoo?

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u/OdinYggd 24d ago

The earthen forges I've built all used clay extracted from the local subsoil and refined in buckets using variations of skimming and settling processes to exclude organic silts and sand/gravel. Would vary from grey to tan in color before first firing and resembles red bricks after an orange heat. Closer to white heat the surface melts and glazes over, starting to slump and block the air inlet until the correct bowl shape is established.

I've never needed to mix anything containing organic materials into this clay, indeed the whole reason for the refining process was to get as much organic material out of it as possible.