horneo

Horeneo is a term of Spanish origin that denotes the act of firing or baking, typically used in contexts related to ceramics or cooking. The word derives from the verb hornear, meaning to bake. In English-language reference works, horeneo appears mainly when discussing Spanish-language ceramics or culinary texts, rather than as an independent English term.

In ceramics, horeneo refers to firing clay objects in a kiln to harden the material, drive off moisture, and mature glazes. The firing process is usually divided into stages, most commonly starting with a bisque firing to drive out remaining water, followed by a glaze firing to mature glazes. Kilns can be electric, gas, or wood-fired, and the firing atmosphere may be oxidizing or reducing, influencing color and texture of both clay bodies and glazes. Operators carefully control temperature and ramp rates to avoid defects such as cracking or warping. Firing can be categorized by fire culture (low-fire, mid-fire, high-fire) and by cone systems used to gauge peak temperatures. Safety considerations include proper ventilation, protection from burns, and careful handling of hot ware.

In culinary usage, horeneo denotes the act of baking or roasting in an oven. In Spanish and many Latin American contexts, horneado describes baked or roasted foods, and the related noun horneo may appear in recipes or culinary discussions, though horneado is more commonly encountered in everyday language.

See also: kiln, firing, baking, ceramic arts, oven.