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#1
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Drying question
Hello - I'm sure this question's been asked a billion times on this
newsgroup, but I just blew up half my kiln-load of Christmas presents and am in a bit of a bind. I'm guessing a couple large (14") bowls still had some moisture in the bases. So, with ten days left, any suggestions on how to quickly and safely get my pots bone-dry for a firing? ie. put it in your oven at 375, put it in the kiln at low, hairdryer, fan, etc.?! Shouldn't have rushed it in the first place, but I thought they were dry. Ah well. Thanks in advance for any advice. Simon |
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#2
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When pots are firm I occasionally bring them into the house to finish
drying. I have heard of using the microwave' on low power initially I think, although this is very much trial and error. Some gas or oil kiln firers "candle" i.e. place on a very low flame overnight to ensure pots are fully dry before firing proper. wrote in message .. . Hello - I'm sure this question's been asked a billion times on this newsgroup, but I just blew up half my kiln-load of Christmas presents and am in a bit of a bind. I'm guessing a couple large (14") bowls still had some moisture in the bases. So, with ten days left, any suggestions on how to quickly and safely get my pots bone-dry for a firing? ie. put it in your oven at 375, put it in the kiln at low, hairdryer, fan, etc.?! Shouldn't have rushed it in the first place, but I thought they were dry. Ah well. Thanks in advance for any advice. Simon |
#3
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wrote in message .. . Hello - I'm sure this question's been asked a billion times on this newsgroup, but I just blew up half my kiln-load of Christmas presents and am in a bit of a bind. I'm guessing a couple large (14") bowls still had some moisture in the bases. So, with ten days left, any suggestions on how to quickly and safely get my pots bone-dry for a firing? ie. put it in your oven at 375, put it in the kiln at low, hairdryer, fan, etc.?! Shouldn't have rushed it in the first place, but I thought they were dry. Ah well. Thanks in advance for any advice. Simon You cannot hurry anything with additions, like handles or spouts. An ordinary bowl with a turned foot though should be fine. I have hurried things along by putting work like this in the kiln at about 50C and leaving it for several hours just chugging along at 50, I check it regularly and wipe any excess moisture that forms on the surface off. I have done this to even get bowls dry enough to turn to no ill effects. It does depend on your clay though. If I am a little unsure that something is completely dry I load the kiln the day before the firing, heat it slowly to 100C to 150C then turn it off and leave the door closed. Any residue moisture should dry out over night and then you fire the kiln the next day. Annemarie |
#4
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As always - thank you.
S. "annemarie" wrote in message ... wrote in message .. . Hello - I'm sure this question's been asked a billion times on this newsgroup, but I just blew up half my kiln-load of Christmas presents and am in a bit of a bind. I'm guessing a couple large (14") bowls still had some moisture in the bases. So, with ten days left, any suggestions on how to quickly and safely get my pots bone-dry for a firing? ie. put it in your oven at 375, put it in the kiln at low, hairdryer, fan, etc.?! Shouldn't have rushed it in the first place, but I thought they were dry. Ah well. Thanks in advance for any advice. Simon You cannot hurry anything with additions, like handles or spouts. An ordinary bowl with a turned foot though should be fine. I have hurried things along by putting work like this in the kiln at about 50C and leaving it for several hours just chugging along at 50, I check it regularly and wipe any excess moisture that forms on the surface off. I have done this to even get bowls dry enough to turn to no ill effects. It does depend on your clay though. If I am a little unsure that something is completely dry I load the kiln the day before the firing, heat it slowly to 100C to 150C then turn it off and leave the door closed. Any residue moisture should dry out over night and then you fire the kiln the next day. Annemarie |
#5
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on a couple of occasions, (usually at this time of the year) when the
kiln gets unloaded then loaded , unloaded etc. etc. if i have had to quick dry some items i have put a kiln shelf on top of my kiln (outside) to buffer the heat then stood the item(s) on top of the shelf and they have dried during the firing. it is not something reccomended but we all do things out of neccesity and so far i have not had any problems. |
#6
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When I want to dry stuff in a hurry I stand it on very absorbent board
(Plasterboard/Drywall etc.) and direct 2 largish fans at it on opposite sides. Works a treat, after all the best laundry drying day is a windy one! Steve Bath UK In article , writes Hello - I'm sure this question's been asked a billion times on this newsgroup, but I just blew up half my kiln-load of Christmas presents and am in a bit of a bind. I'm guessing a couple large (14") bowls still had some moisture in the bases. So, with ten days left, any suggestions on how to quickly and safely get my pots bone-dry for a firing? ie. put it in your oven at 375, put it in the kiln at low, hairdryer, fan, etc.?! Shouldn't have rushed it in the first place, but I thought they were dry. Ah well. Thanks in advance for any advice. Simon -- Steve Mills Bath UK |
#7
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hold the kiln at 180 for 24 hours.I fired mostly sculptures that were up to
24 inches thick and did the same process for a week or ten days to good effect. |
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