JP on fri 20 nov 98
Just a couple of newbie questions that I thought many of you could probably =
give
me some input on.
When making functional ware (bowls, plates, etc.) what cone of clay is best =
to
use? I have made several plates recently with cone5 clay but am worried =
they
will not hold up through everyday use. Also, what is best if the ware is to=
be
used in the oven or microwave?
2nd question. When firing the plates, what is the best way to do it so that
they do not warp and the bottoms come out well? Another concern is the =
amount
of space it is going to take up in the kiln when I fire them. Do you lay =
them
all out individually, or are there racks that you can use to hold several =
plates
one on top of the other with only minimal contact to the bottom of the =
plate?
Thanks in advance,
JP
Vicki Katz on sat 21 nov 98
JP,
Cone 5/6 stoneware holds up fine to use in the dishwasher or microwave if it
is made, glazed & fired correctly.
There are a couple ways to fire the plates. You can order plateholders that
work like tile holders from a ceramic supply store to stack the work for
firing - it will save space in the kiln. Plates are a bit tricky. I would
suggest that you avoid stacking plate upon plate ( as you would in a kitchen
cabinet ) in the bisque firing. I have found the best way to fire a plate is
to put a nice foot on the plate when trimming so that only the foot is on the
kiln shelf surface.
Good luck,
Vicki Katz
Katz Creek Pottery
Nancy Galland on mon 18 dec 00
I have been following the thread on platters and cracks with interest and
learning from it, but I am on a learning curve a bit more fundamental.
I am about to fire a kiln full of plates - ^6 porcelain. I have only fired
my Skutt 1027 (manual/kilnsitter) to bisque ^06 and with a lot of glaze
tests to ^6. In the glaze tests, I noticed some small chips seemed to have
popped off some of the bases of some of the slab-built cylinders I used for
the tests. I put all the tests on small "cookies". What may have caused
this?
I also had some bloating. I now understand that I should bisque to ^04 to
remedy that, and slowly. But I have some questions:
When Ron Roy refers to "slow" as 100 degrees Centigrade, how does that
translate for those of us who still think in Farenheit? Is 100 degrees 100
degrees no matter? I have been raising the temp. at 100 degrees Farenheit
and wonder how that compares.
Would anyone comment of the efficacy of using a heat resistant blanket
over the kiln to cool it down more slowly? Thanks - N.
dneese on wed 29 oct 03
I trim a foot ring for my plates. When you make plates make them good thick
plates, trim a foot ring. If you want your plates to survive use then make
them with good thick smooth rims to avoid chipping. I rather have them thick
than thin.
When I bisque them I first put a small amount of silica sand or fine grog
on the shelf under the first plate. Then on the first plate above the foot
ring I place 3 to 4 small 2 inch square pieces of insulation blanket spaced
evenly around the plate. The next plate's foot ring rests on the pieces of
the blanket followed by a third plate. Rarely do I press my luck with a 4th
plate. I don't stack plates rim to rim. Bowls are the stacked rim to rim in
the bisque. I have stood plates up on the rim to bisque fire with no problem
when I have needed to propped against a tall post or hard brick soap. The
rim of the plate rests on a 2 inch square piece of blanket. In the glaze
firing I use a little fine grog under the plates. Just enough to act like
tiny ball bearings
Dale Tex
"across the alley from the Alamo"
San Antonio, Texas USA
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