Raku Kiln firing at night. Pieces for the next kiln are warming up on the top. The vessels glow red when they reach 1800 degrees Farenheit. The vessels are removed with tongs and put into metal barrels filled with newspaper or saw dust. The carbon produced makes the bare clay black and the flames cool the metals in the glazes at different rates to create a rainbow of colors. The vessels are then cooled completely by imersion in water, thus instantly stopping the color and carbonization. Hayshadows are reduced in straw or wet hay. Leaf Ghosts are reduced by wrapping the hot piece with wet newspaper and leaves.