Pit firing is an old way of firing the clay. There is usually a hole in the ground, and the pots are placed in it, and they will burn.
Saggar firing was first developed to protect the pieces in the firing, but now it is used to pick up the color from the fumes and to add more of a shine to the pieces. With aluminum, it allows the materials put in it to be more pressed against the piece to add more of a design, this technique is a lot quicker and easier!
These processes are special because this is what makes your piece unique. You never really know how your piece will turn out until its out of the fire. It makes it your own and the process has been around for many years. It is a classic way of firing your pieces.
For my pit fired piece, I decided to just make it a rectangle. I painted the acidic on there so that it will give it a cool design when it comes out of the pit firing.
Since I have already done this project before, I know I want to add a lot of salt, leaves, sticks, and as much texture as possible to make sure my vessel has a lot going on when it is fired.