Cindy Strnad on thu 1 nov 01

Dear Darla,

You can make the big green egg from heavily grogged low-fire clay. Or =
you could use a "fire clay" (see the archives for ideas). I haven't seen =
this big green egg, except in the pictures on the web site, and I'm sure =
they aren't going to carry it at our local hardware store. Would you =
describe it more fully? Such as: when you open the lid, what do you find =
inside? Just the inside of a big, green egg shaped pot? Does the fire =
lay in the bottom of the pot, or is it (as I suppose) built on a grate, =
away from the bottom? Are there air vents in the bottom? Is the flue in =
the lid adjustable, or is it just an open draft? Is the lid hinged, or =
does it lift off? I don't really need to know all these things to help =
you, but I'm curious. Maybe I'll make one myself.

I would think the glaze, if this is a low-fire pot, might be better left =
off. With all the heating and cooling, it's likely to craze badly. But =
then maybe crazing is not a problem, though it would tend to weaken the =
pot. You can tell whether you're dealing with a low-fire clay by =
dripping a drop of water on an unglazed surface. If it sinks right in, =
you're looking at low-fire clay. If it runs off, it's most likely ^6-10.

As for construction details, I would probably throw this pot on the =
wheel. You don't have to start out with such a huge one, you know. You =
can work up. I use the "adding sections" method for making big pots. =
Work with as much clay as you feel comfortable with (probably not less =
than 10 lbs, though) to make the base. Bring the top edge to a point =
like this: /\, and let it firm up a bit. This is the male part of the =
joint.

Meanwhile, throw a bottomless ring. Don't raise the walls too =
much--leave them thick. Measure the top--it should be equal to the rim =
of your base piece. Give the top of the ring a shape like this: M. This =
is the female part of the joint. Don't cut it off the bat yet!) When the =
base's rim has firmed up a little bit, turn your ring of clay upside =
down over the base and fit it into place. Now cut the ring off the bat, =
using a needle tool, and remove the bat. Throw downward to seal the two =
sections together. Now throw your ring until the walls have the =
configuration and thinness you want. Give the top rim a /\ shape and =
repeat this process until the pot is as tall as you want it.

I would throw the lid separately, upside down, then add the flue ring =
after I turned it over. Whatever type of clay you decide to use, be sure =
to add a lot of grog, and be sure to dry slowly to help the joints stay =
stuck together. The weakest joint will be the flue ring, because it will =
be probably be added to clay which has already dried more than is =
optimum. Add the flue as soon as you can possibly turn the lid over. =
When you cut the hole for it, try to turn up a point, to which you can =
attach the flue ring.=20

Now keep in mind that I have never made a big green egg. You will =
doubtless come across all sorts of additional points once you actually =
get down to business. If you decide to try this project, be sure to let =
us know how it comes out.

Best wishes,

Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com

Bonnie Thompson on thu 1 nov 01

Bought one like this in Taiwan back in the '60s. It was really,
really heavy. The egg itself was quite thick, over 3/4 of an inch at
least.

Bonnie Thompson
in rainy New Hampshire



>Dear Darla,
>
>You can make the big green egg from heavily grogged low-fire clay.
>Or you could use a "fire clay" (see the archives for ideas). I
>haven't seen this big green egg, except in the pictures on the web
>site, and I'm sure they aren't going to carry it at our local
>hardware store. Would you describe it more fully? Such as: when you
>open the lid, what do you find inside? Just the inside of a big,
>green egg shaped pot? Does the fire lay in the bottom of the pot, or
>is it (as I suppose) built on a grate, away from the bottom? Are
>there air vents in the bottom? Is the flue in the lid adjustable, or
>is it just an open draft? Is the lid hinged, or does it lift off? I
>don't really need to know all these things to help you, but I'm
>curious. Maybe I'll make one myself.
>
>I would think the glaze, if this is a low-fire pot, might be better
>left off. With all the heating and cooling, it's likely to craze
>badly. But then maybe crazing is not a problem, though it would tend
>to weaken the pot. You can tell whether you're dealing with a
>low-fire clay by dripping a drop of water on an unglazed surface. If
>it sinks right in, you're looking at low-fire clay. If it runs off,
>it's most likely ^6-10.
>
>As for construction details, I would probably throw this pot on the
>wheel. You don't have to start out with such a huge one, you know.
>You can work up. I use the "adding sections" method for making big
>pots. Work with as much clay as you feel comfortable with (probably
>not less than 10 lbs, though) to make the base. Bring the top edge
>to a point like this: /\, and let it firm up a bit. This is the male
>part of the joint.
>
>Meanwhile, throw a bottomless ring. Don't raise the walls too
>much--leave them thick. Measure the top--it should be equal to the
>rim of your base piece. Give the top of the ring a shape like this:
>M. This is the female part of the joint. Don't cut it off the bat
>yet!) When the base's rim has firmed up a little bit, turn your ring
>of clay upside down over the base and fit it into place. Now cut the
>ring off the bat, using a needle tool, and remove the bat. Throw
>downward to seal the two sections together. Now throw your ring
>until the walls have the configuration and thinness you want. Give
>the top rim a /\ shape and repeat this process until the pot is as
>tall as you want it.
>
>I would throw the lid separately, upside down, then add the flue
>ring after I turned it over. Whatever type of clay you decide to
>use, be sure to add a lot of grog, and be sure to dry slowly to help
>the joints stay stuck together. The weakest joint will be the flue
>ring, because it will be probably be added to clay which has already
>dried more than is optimum. Add the flue as soon as you can possibly
>turn the lid over. When you cut the hole for it, try to turn up a
>point, to which you can attach the flue ring.
>
>Now keep in mind that I have never made a big green egg. You will
>doubtless come across all sorts of additional points once you
>actually get down to business. If you decide to try this project, be
>sure to let us know how it comes out.
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Cindy Strnad
>Earthen Vessels Pottery
>RR 1, Box 51
>Custer, SD 57730
>USA
>cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
>http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.

--
Manager, UNH Computer Store
54 College Road - CIS Center
Durham NH 03824

Phone: 603 862-3675
Fax: 603 862-3567

Wade Blocker on thu 1 nov 01

Darla,
Form a solid egg out of clay. When the outside is dry enough not to
distort, cut the egg in half and scoop out enough of the clay to leave a
shell that has the same thickness all around.
Score and wet the two halves and rejoin with slip and a small sausage of
clay. . Let dry slowly. With a needle tool make a hole for air to escape.
Then bisque and fire. Mia in ABQ

vince pitelka on thu 1 nov 01

Martin said:
> Throw it. Don't bother with coiling.

These things are expensive because they are well made and because they work
great. I suppose it is an interesting challenge to try to make one out of a
high-thermal-shock ovenware body. But don't bother with throwing. Coil it.
You can coil one as large as you want, and if you do coiling properly, it
will be as strong as any thrown form.
Best wishes -
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/

Janet Kaiser on fri 2 nov 01

Ha! HA! Tee! He! Giggle, Giggle! Hick! Ick! ICK!
Ye-uch...!

What is it about the average male barbecue maniac which
attracts him to this sort of gadget, widget or whatever
you want to call it? We get used to them playing with
fire, eventually getting the charcoal to burn two hours
later than the guests arrived, investing mucho energy,
loud self-praise and animated boy-talk about secret
recipes and techniques, whilst we stuff ourselves with
bread and salad waiting for the first sausage to cook,
then feeding the dog all the good stuff because nobody
was hungry at midnight...

Surely we put up with enough, without Big Green
Eggs...?! And if you doubt my ever so slightly sexist
mail, just look at the price tag... This is aimed at
men. No doubt about it...

So in the words of the prophet: "You want one? You make
it, Buddy!"

Don't be teased, cajoled or conscience-pricked into
even trying! And put that eggy website into the
restricted category for good measure... Change the
password if necessary!

Janet Kaiser - the Hard Iron Woman!
The Chapel of Art . Capel Celfyddyd
HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL POTTERS' PATH
Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales Tel: (01766) 523570
E-mail: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk

Steve Mills on sat 3 nov 01

My Barbecue kit:
Half tin barrel and an old oven shelf.
charcoal.
blow torch (to light it).
My Wife's hair drier.
cold to cooking in 20 minuets flat.

There are advantages to being a pyromaniac (pyromantic) :-)

Steve
Bath
UK


In message , Janet Kaiser
writes
>Ha! HA! Tee! He! Giggle, Giggle! Hick! Ick! ICK!
>Ye-uch...!
>
>What is it about the average male barbecue maniac which
>attracts him to this sort of gadget, widget or whatever
>you want to call it? We get used to them playing with
>fire, eventually getting the charcoal to burn two hours
>later than the guests arrived, investing mucho energy,
>loud self-praise and animated boy-talk about secret
>recipes and techniques, whilst we stuff ourselves with
>bread and salad waiting for the first sausage to cook,
>then feeding the dog all the good stuff because nobody
>was hungry at midnight...
>
>Surely we put up with enough, without Big Green
>Eggs...?! And if you doubt my ever so slightly sexist
>mail, just look at the price tag... This is aimed at
>men. No doubt about it...
>
>So in the words of the prophet: "You want one? You make
>it, Buddy!"
>
>Don't be teased, cajoled or conscience-pricked into
>even trying! And put that eggy website into the
>restricted category for good measure... Change the
>password if necessary!
>
>Janet Kaiser - the Hard Iron Woman!
>The Chapel of Art . Capel Celfyddyd
>HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL POTTERS' PATH
>Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales Tel: (01766) 523570
>E-mail: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
>WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk

--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK

Richard Jeffery on sun 4 nov 01

but Steve - that splendid raku kiln burner you sold me - you don't need a
hairdryer if you use that to get the charcoal going.....

-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Steve Mills
Sent: 03 November 2001 10:55
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: a big green egg. Really!


My Barbecue kit:
Half tin barrel and an old oven shelf.
charcoal.
blow torch (to light it).
My Wife's hair drier.
cold to cooking in 20 minuets flat.

There are advantages to being a pyromaniac (pyromantic) :-)

Steve
Bath
UK


In message , Janet Kaiser
writes
>Ha! HA! Tee! He! Giggle, Giggle! Hick! Ick! ICK!
>Ye-uch...!
>
>What is it about the average male barbecue maniac which
>attracts him to this sort of gadget, widget or whatever
>you want to call it? We get used to them playing with
>fire, eventually getting the charcoal to burn two hours
>later than the guests arrived, investing mucho energy,
>loud self-praise and animated boy-talk about secret
>recipes and techniques, whilst we stuff ourselves with
>bread and salad waiting for the first sausage to cook,
>then feeding the dog all the good stuff because nobody
>was hungry at midnight...
>
>Surely we put up with enough, without Big Green
>Eggs...?! And if you doubt my ever so slightly sexist
>mail, just look at the price tag... This is aimed at
>men. No doubt about it...
>
>So in the words of the prophet: "You want one? You make
>it, Buddy!"
>
>Don't be teased, cajoled or conscience-pricked into
>even trying! And put that eggy website into the
>restricted category for good measure... Change the
>password if necessary!
>
>Janet Kaiser - the Hard Iron Woman!
>The Chapel of Art . Capel Celfyddyd
>HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL POTTERS' PATH
>Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales Tel: (01766) 523570
>E-mail: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
>WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk

--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK

____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
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