Introduction: The allure of pit and saggar firing -- The roots of pit firing: Raku meets American Indian pottery and a new American technique is born -- Pit firing: A unique American firing technique -- Pit firing branches out: Pit and sawdust firing in brick chambers and barrels -- Rediscovering the kiln: Saggar firing -- Returning to the roots: Burnishing and black firing -- Forming: Techniques for pit and saggar firing -- Playing with fire: Experimental kilns and related firing methods