Winter Elm is Serotonin Base + Colorant 004

Cone 5/6 Ceramic Dry Glaze

Makes one gallon wet glaze when hydrated. 

An off white that is translucent, classic, and silky. Layers nicely with other glazes, especially paired with Ophelia and Timeless. Can flash a blush pink in certain firing atmospheres. 

Safety Data Sheet

California Proposition 65: This product can expose you to respirable crystalline silica, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, see www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Pictograms: GHS07 (exclamation mark), GHS08 (health hazard).

Five Glaze Frequently Asked Questions

Product Basics

What is Five Glaze and how is it different from other glazes? Five Glaze offers dry batch glaze systems that give you complete control over your glazing process. Unlike commercial liquid glazes, our dry glaze systems let you customize colors, adjust consistency, and understand exactly what goes into your glazes. We provide both tested color combinations and the freedom to create your own custom colors using our reliable base glazes.

What comes in a Five Glaze order? Each Five Glaze order includes a 2,250-gram bag of base glaze powder, colorant pack (if you ordered one of our signature colors), detailed instruction sheets, and a label for your storage bucket. You'll need to provide your own bucket, whisk, and water for mixing.

How much glaze does one bag make? One Five Glaze bag makes approximately one gallon of mixed glaze when hydrated according to our instructions. You can also split the bag to make four quart-sized batches or two half-gallon batches in different colors. Please note our colorant packs come pre-weighed out to make one gallon, you will need to do a little math to make these work in smaller batches.

What firing temperature are Five Glaze bases designed for? All our glazes are cone 5-6.

Are Five Glaze products food safe when fired? Food safety is a tricky subject in ceramics, all our glazes are non-toxic when properly fired and can be safely used with no concern for leaching. We rigorously test each glaze combination and recommend Serotonin for dinnerware use. 

Getting Started

I've never mixed glazes before - is Five Glaze right for me? Absolutely! Five Glaze is designed with beginners in mind. Our instruction sheets provide step-by-step guidance, and we offer extensive educational content through our blog posts. We recommend starting with our tested colorant combinations to build confidence before experimenting with custom colors.

What tools do I need to get started? Essential tools include: a digital scale, one-gallon bucket, whisk, and basic safety equipment (NIOSH N95 mask, safety glasses, gloves). We also recommend a graduated cylinder for specific gravity testing and an 80-mesh sieve for the smoothest results.

Do I need special equipment to mix Five Glaze? No expensive equipment needed! Most tools can be found at hardware stores or in your kitchen (though we recommend dedicating tools specifically for glaze use and never mixing where you prepare food).

What's the basic process for mixing my first batch?

1. Measure 2,040 grams of water into your bucket
2. Slowly add the entire Five Glaze bag to the water
3. Wait 2 minutes, then mix thoroughly
4. Add colorant (if using)
5. Test specific gravity and adjust consistency
6. Always test on a sample piece before glazing your best work

How long does mixed glaze last? Properly mixed and stored Five Glaze can last for months. Store in airtight containers, stir before each use, and add small amounts of water if the glaze thickens over time.

Technical Questions

What's the difference between base glazes and colorant packs? Base glazes are the foundation—they contain the glass-forming ingredients that create the finished glaze surface after firing. Colorant packs are the add-ons that bring color, made from carefully measured metal oxides and ceramic stains.

Think of it like buying paint: the base glaze is the finish (like eggshell or gloss), and the colorant pack is the pigment (like “Pesto Paste”) that gives it its unique hue.

Can I use my own colorants with Five Glaze bases? Yes! This is one of Five Glaze's key features. We recommend testing colorants at 0.10-10% of the total glaze weight, with 5% being a good starting point. Always run small 100 g test batches first. You can find detailed step-by-step instructions here. 

What specific gravity should I aim for? Target 1.4-1.5 for most applications. This may shift slightly when colorants are added. Visually, your glaze should have the consistency of heavy cream.

How do I test my glaze before using it on important pieces? Always start with a test tile. Apply the glaze to a small bisque piece made from the same clay body as your final work. Fire it to cone 5 or 6 using your usual firing schedule, then evaluate the results before glazing your finished pieces.

Can I make smaller test batches? Absolutely! For experimenting with colorants, we recommend 100 grams test batches. Start with 100 grams of our Base Glaze, add your desired percentage of colorant, then mix in 90 grams of water for 90% hydration. You can follow our step-by-step guide in this instructional blog post to get started.

Customization & Color

How do I create custom colors? Start by testing individual colorants at different percentages (3%, 5%, 7%) in 100 grams batches. Once you find combinations you like, scale up the recipe proportionally. We also offer guidance on line testing multiple options simultaneously in this instructional blog post.

What percentage of colorant should I use? Most colorants work well at 0.10-10% of the total glaze weight. Start with 5% and adjust from there. Some colorants (like certain red mason stains) may cause surface issues at higher percentages, so always test first.

Can I blend different colorants together? Yes! Just keep the total colorant percentage within the recommended 0.1–10% range. In some cases—such as with Red Iron Oxide, Ziropax, or Titanium Dioxide—you can go higher, up to about 12–20%. For example, you might combine 3% cobalt with 2% rutile for a total of 5% colorant.

How do I make painting glazes vs. dipping glazes? Add CMC gum solution to any Five Glaze to create a painting consistency. Start by adding 1-2 tablespoons of CMC solution per cup of mixed glaze, test the brushability, and adjust as needed.

What if I want to make multiple colors from one bag? You can split one 2,250g bag into four 560g portions, creating four different quart-sized glazes with different colorants. This gives you maximum variety from one purchase.

Troubleshooting

My glaze is too thick/thin - how do I fix it? Too thick: Add water in small increments (25-50g at a time) and test after each addition. Too thin: Let some water evaporate, or if it's drastically thin, you may need to add more dry glaze material.

What if my test tiles show bubbling or surface defects? If you’re using your own custom colorants, bubbling or surface flaws often mean the colorant percentage is too high. Try reducing it by 1–2% and retest—the goal is to use the lowest percentage that still gives you the color effect you want.

If you’re using one of our signature colors (with a Five Glaze colorant pack), review the firing schedule used for that test tile. Glaze defects can result from overfiring (too hot) or underfiring (not hot enough).

If you’re unsure of the cause, we’re happy to help troubleshoot—just email us at hellofiveglaze@gmail.com.

How do I store mixed glazes? Keep your glaze in an airtight container, labeled with a Five Glaze bucket label and the date it was mixed. Store at room temperature, and stir thoroughly before each use.

Can I rehydrate glaze that has dried out? Yes, but add water gradually and mix thoroughly. If the glaze has formed a hard "brick", it may take patience and possibly adding some CMC gum solution to restore good working properties.

What if my colors don't match what I expected? Color development depends on your clay body, firing schedule, and kiln atmosphere. Some variation is normal. Keep detailed records of what works in your specific setup and adjust future batches accordingly.

Safety & Workspace

What safety equipment do I need? Essential PPE includes: NIOSH N95 or particulate respirator, safety glasses, and nitrile gloves. We also recommend disposable aprons or old clothes to protect your clothing. If you want detailed recommendations, please visit our Product Safety Data page. 

Can I mix glazes in my kitchen? No, never mix ceramic glazes where you prepare food. Always work in well-ventilated areas like garages, basements with good airflow, or outdoors.

What ventilation do I need? Work with good air circulation - outdoors when possible, in a garage with the door open, or in a basement with exhaust fans. Avoid enclosed spaces and anywhere food is prepared. If you want detailed recommendations, please visit our Product Safety Data page. 

Are there any ingredients I should be concerned about? We provide complete ingredient transparency so you can make informed decisions. Always wear appropriate PPE, work in ventilated areas, and follow basic ceramic safety practices. Never eat, drink, or smoke while handling ceramic materials. If you want detailed recommendations, please visit our Product Safety Data page. 

Ordering & Shipping

How do I know which base glaze to order? The base you need depends on the finish you would like to achieve and final use of your finished ceramic items. Serotonin is our opaque, milky, slightly variegated finish that is great for dinnerware and functional ware.

Do you ship internationally? We currently do not ship internationally.

What if I'm not satisfied with my order? Please see our Return Policy for more information.

Still Have Questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? We're here to help! Contact us at hellofiveglaze@gmail.com and we'll get back to you quickly. We love helping our customers succeed with their glazing projects!