george koller on fri 20 sep 02
Hi folks,
The other day I saw a stack of little Microwave ovens
for sale at $38.00 or something like that (wow!). So I
started thinking how I might use one, and it occurred to
me that it might be something I could use (less subjectively)
to test if a piece is dry enough for bisque firing.
I do know that they clay will "explode" if there is moisture
in it, what I'm wondering is if it will not if there is minimal
moisture (dry enough to bisque). (and i also know you better
put some water or something in at the same time to avoid
not having anything to "collect" the waves)
Has anybody done this? I'd like to come up with some sort
of test guideline, as for example "put an example piece in a
paper bag and run 2 mins at defrost, put in with a glass of
water". If it is "hot" to touch then too wet to fire.
Anybody think of other general Clay uses for these little
micro-wave ovens?
Best,
george koller
northport, mi
Lily Krakowski on fri 20 sep 02
There are by the way people who bisque still wet clay. They have a system,
I have heard of their doing it, I never have. Know nothing about it.
If you put water in the micro with the clay you will rewet the clay with
steam. Test this by putting a piece of the toast from yesterday morning in
the micro with a cup of water, let the water boil, etc.
There are three good tests for moisture left beyond the-- is it 5%? -- there
always is. Set the pot on really dry newspaper in a warm place. Damp clay
will leave a ring after an hour or so.
Keep an unfired pot that is well dried in the room. Compare its temperature
and that of your drying pot. They should feel the same temperature when your
new pot is ready for bisquing.
I still test pots with the underside of my lower lip. Honest. For some
reason that part of the lip(s) is extremely sensitive and you can feel the
moisture and relative warmth. It takes some practice, but it works.
As an aside. Our mothers used to feel our foreheads or the back of our
necks to see if we had a fever. It worked extremely well, even for small
deviations of body heat. One's own body is a remarkaby capable
thermometer.
As to the tiny micro: Could I have a cup'a tea, please?
george koller writes:
> Hi folks,
>
> The other day I saw a stack of little Microwave ovens
> for sale at $38.00 or something like that (wow!). So I
> started thinking how I might use one, and it occurred to
> me that it might be something I could use (less subjectively)
> to test if a piece is dry enough for bisque firing.
>
> I do know that they clay will "explode" if there is moisture
> in it, what I'm wondering is if it will not if there is minimal
> moisture (dry enough to bisque). (and i also know you better
> put some water or something in at the same time to avoid
> not having anything to "collect" the waves)
>
> Has anybody done this? I'd like to come up with some sort
> of test guideline, as for example "put an example piece in a
> paper bag and run 2 mins at defrost, put in with a glass of
> water". If it is "hot" to touch then too wet to fire.
>
> Anybody think of other general Clay uses for these little
> micro-wave ovens?
>
>
> Best,
>
> george koller
> northport, mi
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
Lily Krakowski on fri 20 sep 02
There are people who bisque still wet clay. No idea how it is done, have
only been told about it.
If you put wet clay in the micro it will explode after a time. Like not the
first second, but when steam is generated.
If you put it in with water, you will get the same moisturizing effect as
wehn you try to reclaim old toast by putting it in the micro with a cup of
water, and the steam turns it into a soggy mess.
There are three good ways of testing for readiness for firing. Have used
them all happily--except for the exceptional piece of too thick sculpture.
Put the pot on dry newspaper in a warm room. After an hour or so a damp pot
will leave a ring on the paper. NOT in a hot room, NOT in the sun as then
the wicking effect of the paper will allow it itself to dry.
Keep an unfired pot on hand. It will be at room temperature. Compare how
it feels to the pot you want to know about. Obviously it should be in the
same room for I guess overnight. If the new pot is dry enough it will be
the same temp as the old.
I still test pots with the lower edge of my lower lip. If they feel dry and
warm enough they are. This takes some practice but works. Remember: Our
Mothers felt the backs of our necks or our foreheads for fever. THey could
feel a very small variation in temperature. One's own skin is remarkably
sensitive...
And, now that you have the micro, may I have a nice cup'a?
george koller writes:
> Hi folks,
>
> The other day I saw a stack of little Microwave ovens
> for sale t $38.00 or something like that (wow!). So I
> started thinking how I might use one, and it occurred to
> me that it might be something I could use (less subjectively)
> to test if a piece is dry enough for bisque firing.
>
> I do know that they clay will "explode" if there is moisture
> in it, what I'm wondering is if it will not if there is minimal
> moisture (dry enough to bisque). (and i also know you better
> put some water or something in at the same time to avoid
> not having anything to "collect" the waves)
>
> Has anybody done this? I'd like to come up with some sort
> of test guideline, as for example "put an example piece in a
> paper bag and run 2 mins at defrost, put in with a glass of
> water". If it is "hot" to touch then too wet to fire.
>
> Anybody think of other general Clay uses for these little
> micro-wave ovens?
>
>
> Best,
>
> george koller
> northport, mi
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
Kurt Wild on fri 20 sep 02
In my opinion, the simplest method of determining if a piece is dry enough
to bisque is to put it to your cheek. If it feels cool it's still too
wet. If it seems the same as the ambient room temperature it should be
fine - dry enough to safely bisque.
From my favorite chair - leg elevated, now in a short "walking" cast,
slowly getting better - laptop on my lap - phone at my side 715-425-5715
Kurt
Leland G. Hall on sat 21 sep 02
My experience has been that I can get away with starting a bisque with ware
just a tad damp if, and I mean only if, I do a good long soak keeping the
temp under 212, less for uneven sculptural ware. Slow, slow, slow is the
key for me. Good luck.
Regards
Leland Hall
On Fri, 20 Sep 2002 13:34:42 -0500, Kurt Wild wrote:
>In my opinion, the simplest method of determining if a piece is dry enough
>to bisque is to put it to your cheek. If it feels cool it's still too
>wet. If it seems the same as the ambient room temperature it should be
>fine - dry enough to safely bisque.
>
> From my favorite chair - leg elevated, now in a short "walking" cast,
>slowly getting better - laptop on my lap - phone at my side 715-425-5715
>Kurt
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>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.
terry sullivan on sun 22 sep 02
I've been using a microwave for years to fast dry glazed pots for test
firing. Usually works great as long as you do it on low to med. To
fast and the fresh wet glaze can peal off the bisque pot.
So I can put a test glaze on a few small cups or tea bowls, microwave
them dry in a few minutes, put them in the test kiln and fire to cone 6
in a few hours, have them out in about a hour or so ( unless I hold temp
to soak or ramp down ). I have done this from application of glaze to
holding the finished fired piece in less than four hours. Doesn't always
work. Depends on the glaze.
terry sullivan
www.nottinghamarts.org
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