Hendrix, Taylor J on tue 9 dec 03
Howdy Mama Lili and other ashers.
Phil Rogers (Ash Glazes) suggests, nay recomends that one wash one's ash
(hehe) before using it. He found very little difference between his
washed and unwashed ash samples with regard to glaze response but found
washing his ash helped with glaze slop problems. That is not to say no
person will find differences between washed and unwashed ashes. Not
washing the ash may lead to glaze slop problems associated with high
alkalinity. (me forget the fancy words) If you're going to ash glaze,
you will be collecting a substantial amount of ash anyway. This assures
a uniform supply for a time. Might as well wash up the lot of it over a
week or so. No need to be in a rush. So many ashes, so little time.
Rogers even lets his first washing sit out for weeks at a time until he
has the time to decant and refill.
Heed Mama's warnings and wear gloves and eye protection to wash. I'm
not lying.
Taylor, in Waco
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of lili
krakowski
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 7:22 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: washing wood ash
There are many who do not wash the ash.
I think it VERY dangerous.
Ash when wet releases lye. ...
lili krakowski on tue 9 dec 03
There are many who do not wash the ash.
I think it VERY dangerous.
Ash when wet releases lye. That probably is not a scientifically =
correct statement, but the upshot is that the water in which wood ash is =
soaked gets full of lye. Lye is caustic; it not only will ruin your =
genuine bristle brushes but burn your skin. If it gets into your eyes =
it can blind you. Unfortunately, it has a sweet and pleasant smell that =
attracts children and pets.
Several books describe the washing process. I won't take your time. =
Just remember that if you use unwashed ash in glaze, and use a fair =
amount in a glaze you risk the lye damage mentionned above.
Yours in caution
Lili Krakowski
Hollis Engley on wed 10 dec 03
----- Original Message -----
From: lili krakowski
To:
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 8:22 PM
Subject: washing wood ash
There are many who do not wash the ash.
I think it VERY dangerous.
Several books describe the washing process. I won't take your time. Just
remember that if you use unwashed ash in glaze, and use a fair amount in a
glaze you risk the lye damage mentionned above.
Yours in caution
Lili Krakowski
Lili is correct that unwashed ash used in a glaze results in a more caustic
solution in that glaze bucket than would washed ash. The more you wash the
ash, the less caustic the resulting glaze solution is. But you also change
the character and performance of the glaze; it's a choice you make.
There are many things that we do as potters that require care and caution.
If you're going to use ash glazes, Lili is right, this is one of those
things. Be careful.
Hollis Engley
Hatchville Pottery
Falmouth, Mass.
hengley@cape.com
Lee Love on wed 10 dec 03
----- Original Message -----
From: "lili krakowski"
>There are many who do not wash the ash.
>I think it VERY dangerous.
It just takes some care. I don't use gloves, I stir with my
hands (not that I'd recommend it) but I wash my hands frequently. Shinos
are the same way, because they contain soda ash. You can feel the grease
on your fingers go slick, because the alkali is turing it into soap.
My teacher washes his wood ash for months. I don't wash mine.
The soluables in wood ash, like the soda ash in American Shinos, add a
different quality to the glaze.
--
Lee In Mashiko, Japan
http://Mashiko.org
Web Log (click on recent date):
http://www.livejournal.com/users/togeika/calendar
Dave Finkelnburg on wed 10 dec 03
Taylor Hendrix wrote, in part: "Heed Mama's warnings and wear gloves and
eye protection to wash. I'm
not lying."
Dear Taylor,
There is, I am sure, some benefit to washing ash. Not washing is
simple, though. Just mix and use. So there are at least two reasonable
approaches to using this material. In very high clay recipes such as Mark
Issenberg uses, where the ash is the full flux source, the washing step is
just extra work.
By the way, I am sure there is some reward...somewhere...for such a bad
pun. :-)
Good potting!
Dave Finkelnburg
iandol on thu 11 dec 03
Dear Friends,
I tested the pH of the liquid at each stage of washing some ash =
recently. The value dropped to between 8 and 9 then remained constant at =
that value, which seems to indicate that a very small concentrations can =
make it appear a glaze is reasonably caustic.
But I had another thought. Perhaps there are really four types of Ash =
Glaze.=20
First is created under Anhydrous conditions in a wood fire situation. =
All of the Alkalies in the ash make a contribution to the glaze and none =
of these compounds are taken into the porous clay.
Second we have glazes made with raw ash and hydrated alkalies can soak =
into the clay and will affect the interface between clay and glaze. This =
points to the need to examine the interface to see if the soluble =
materials just contribute to adhesion or if they affect colour, optical =
or tactile qualities.
Third are glazes from ashes which have been repeatedly washed to remove =
the majority of the soluble alkalies, in the main sodium and potassium =
compounds.
The fourth group belong to those pots which are taken from the wheel =
with a wet to damp surface that have raw ash sifted over them to imitate =
a true wood firing. But this may not happen as there is the potential =
for some of the salts to dissolve and either sit on the surface or to =
soak into the clay.
In the end, especially because all ashes have differing compositions, =
all we can do is to continually test every batch of ash and remain aware =
of safety precautions
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia
dalecochoy on sun 31 dec 06
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Hendley"
> The easiest way to wash wood ash is to fill a 5-gallon bucket half
> full of ash, fill it with water, stir, let it soak for a day, and then
> pour off the water. Repeat 2 or 3 times, then dry the ash.
> David Hendley
I'm absolutely sure the Japanese have extensive methids of washing ash 5
times to be "Good", but....
As above..I fill up a 5gal bucket about 1/2 to 2/3.
fill with water and stir into a slurry.
let sit a bit and sieve off big floating chunks.
then I pour it through a 1/8" sceen of galvanized hardware cloth ( Because I
have that and use it for other stuff)
Then, as above, I let set a few days and each day dip out or pour off the
water.
when it gets to a nice "mud" I pour it onto old hospital food trays( because
I have those and use for other things :>) )
Let dry. cracks like death valley mud.
then I just simply crush up with hands and/or roller and put in a container.
real nice stuff.
but, I'll bet the Japanese method is "lots better" :>)
wear gloves in steps handlingash.
Regards,
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Hartville, Ohio
| |
|
