A recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head having plural ejection outlets and thermal energy generating elements provided for the respective ejection outlets; a signal supplying device for supplying a recording signal to said recording head; a detector for detecting a state relating to heat, on the basis of the recording signal supplied from the signal supplying device; and a controller, responsive to the detector, for actuating the thermal energy generating element. The apparatus maintains the viscosity of the ink in the recording head lower than a critical ejection viscosity.