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earthenware in the microwave

updated wed 31 aug 05

 

Linda Arbuckle on fri 26 aug 05


John Hesselberth said (about an exploding pot in the microwave):

"You don't say where you are firing, but if you are working with
earthenware you need to switch to stoneware to keep it from happening."



I love your web site and your book, John, but stop bashing earthenware.
I microwave my majolica and Stan Andersen's regularly to no ill effect.
The answer, as in much of ceramics, is, "It all depends."



I've cracked porcelain plates in the microwave because the body was very
tight and the heating too localized. I've also had stoneware pieces heat
up quite a bit, I assume from water absorbed into the body.



Earthenware can be formulated to make a very serviceable tableware that
can be used in the microwave.



Linda Arbuckle

14716 SE 9th Terr

Micanopy, FL 32667

(352) 466-3520

L.arbuckle@att.net

http://www.arts.ufl.edu/artex02/html/ceramics/arbuckle.html


Rick Hamelin on fri 26 aug 05


One only needs to know the history of pottery to understand how the various types of pottery were used.
I could write a treatise on this but I have earthenware to make.
So many factors affect the use of the pot.
Generalizing only hurts us.

Rick

--
"Many a wiser men than I hath
gone to pot." 1649

-------------- Original message --------------

> John Hesselberth said (about an exploding pot in the microwave):
>
> "You don't say where you are firing, but if you are working with
> earthenware you need to switch to stoneware to keep it from happening."
>
>
>
> I love your web site and your book, John, but stop bashing earthenware.
> I microwave my majolica and Stan Andersen's regularly to no ill effect.
> The answer, as in much of ceramics, is, "It all depends."
>
>
>
> I've cracked porcelain plates in the microwave because the body was very
> tight and the heating too localized. I've also had stoneware pieces heat
> up quite a bit, I assume from water absorbed into the body.
>
>
>
> Earthenware can be formulated to make a very serviceable tableware that
> can be used in the microwave.
>
>
>
> Linda Arbuckle
>
> 14716 SE 9th Terr
>
> Micanopy, FL 32667
>
> (352) 466-3520
>
> L.arbuckle@att.net
>
> http://www.arts.ufl.edu/artex02/html/ceramics/arbuckle.html
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.

John Hesselberth on fri 26 aug 05


On Aug 26, 2005, at 11:33 AM, Linda Arbuckle wrote:

> Earthenware can be formulated to make a very serviceable tableware that
> can be used in the microwave.

Hi Linda,

Will I can agree with you in principle, in my experience very little
is. I believe it would be fair to say it has to be completely encased
in a well fitting glaze. If clay is exposed it will absorb water and
that will lead to problems like the original writer experienced. If the
glaze is crazed the same thing will happen. Only a tiny percentage of
the earthenware I have seen would meet those standards. Unless a potter
has been very well trained and has technical skills approaching yours,
it isn't likely to happen. Is that an unfair assessment?

Regards,

John

John Hesselberth
http://www.frogpondpottery.com
http://www.masteringglazes.com

Lee Love on sat 27 aug 05


Rick Hamelin wrote:

> One only needs to know the history of pottery to understand how the
> various types of pottery
> were used.
> I could write a treatise on this but I have earthenware to make.
> So many factors affect the use of the pot.
> Generalizing only hurts us.


Rick,

You can learn a lot from your materials, if you simply pay
attention to them. If I were not working in high fire stoneware, I
would probably work in Earthenware. The problem, as I have
mentioned previously, that an artist has about taking advice from a
technician, is that while the technician might understand the
mechanical aspects of your problem, they might be totally clueless about
aesthetics.

I have always been interested in French woodfired
earthenware. I have a great ocher colored mashiko clay from the
quarry near my house. I am guessing it is what Japanese Jomon and Yayoi
was made from. I have my old raku glaze working in my kiln and it
looks good at cone 012, same as what I bisque at. I am thinking
about putting some glazed earthenware in my next bisque load.

--
Lee Love
in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://seisokuro.blogspot.com/ My Photo Logs

"Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.
--Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)

Rick Hamelin on sat 27 aug 05


Hi Lee
I was made reaware of the fact that the word "amateur" comes from the French root for "love" and yet their are those who chose to not recognize the amateur for their contributions.
Yet, as an artist, I cannot deny my appreciation for what I have learned from the world of technical ceramics.
As a potter, in my love for my wares I have made a commitment to honor its history, our technology and my customer. The person who purchases my work recognizes my commitment so it my wares must be made with the upmost dignity and integrity.
I miss woodfiring. It was part of life for 10 years.
"I think this piece will help boil my pot" 1790
Rick

--
"Many a wiser men than I hath
gone to pot." 1649

-------------- Original message --------------

> Rick Hamelin wrote:
>
> > One only needs to know the history of pottery to understand how the
> > various types of pottery
> > were used.
> > I could write a treatise on this but I have earthenware to make.
> > So many factors affect the use of the pot.
> > Generalizing only hurts us.
>
>
> Rick,
>
> You can learn a lot from your materials, if you simply pay
> attention to them. If I were not working in high fire stoneware, I
> would probably work in Earthenware. The problem, as I have
> mentioned previously, that an artist has about taking advice from a
> technician, is that while the technician might understand the
> mechanical aspects of your problem, they might be totally clueless about
> aesthetics.
>
> I have always been interested in French woodfired
> earthenware. I have a great ocher colored mashiko clay from the
> quarry near my house. I am guessing it is what Japanese Jomon and Yayoi
> was made from. I have my old raku glaze working in my kiln and it
> looks good at cone 012, same as what I bisque at. I am thinking
> about putting some glazed earthenware in my next bisque load.
>
> --
> Lee Love
> in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
> http://seisokuro.blogspot.com/ My Photo Logs
>
> "Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles
> and misguided men.
> --Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.

Ron Roy on sun 28 aug 05


Hi Rick,

It does need to be discussed - there is a lot of earthenware being made and
sold that can actually be a hazard in a microwave oven.

If we talk about it - it can help those who choose to work at low
temperatures - how to make the ware safe to use or to mark it unsafe for
certain uses.

Anyone who does make their living selling earthenware should be very
interested in making others aware of the problems and the solutions.

I would be interested in how you prevent water absorption so that handles
do not heat up and become a hazard for instance.

In the end it's not about bashing anything - it's about making it better.

RR



>One only needs to know the history of pottery to understand how the
>various types of pottery were used.
>I could write a treatise on this but I have earthenware to make.
>So many factors affect the use of the pot.
>Generalizing only hurts us.
>
>Rick

Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513

Rick Hamelin on mon 29 aug 05


Dear RR
I would be the first to defend your thoughts and legitimate arguements about earthenware.
It is true that each variety of pottery types has its strengths and weaknesses.
I study mid 18th century through 19th century ceramics. It was truly a period of great advancements that changed our lives and created our world today. The historic earthenwares were used in accordance with their place in the home. You baked in redware (red earthenware) because if you cooked in pearlware (white earthenware) it would turn brown. Can't cook in Stoneware, it would crack as would glass. Pewter melted. Tin was the only other choice if not soldered. It is the same today. Don't bake in plastic, don't microwave in aluminum. Nothing is inferior. It is just a question of use.
It is also true that earthenware is fired over a wide range. I never felt comfortable using pit fired or mexican (ignoring the glaze) or raku or terra sig earthenwares when they feel soft, open bodied and light weight. These wares in comparison to my wares feel inferior. Yet my wares, being more porous than your prefered range, would have you lumping the hole mass together, which while I feel has partial merits, is wrong.
Yes, I do agree with you but I have yet to see any evidence indicating death by (lead-free) earthenware. Maybe our dishwashers and soaps have something to do with it.
I would get maybe 1 in 200 complaints of the hot handle. Yet, being this small, I now advocate a "no microwave" use. I do explain my wares to my customers.

One day I overheard a potter defending her pottery windchimes to a customer who complained that they broke in a strong wind. You can see where I am going here. Duh. Pretty, but use them as a mobile. Not windchime. Those who are desperate for income and will compromise the truth hurt all of us.

As you say, it is about making it better. Making my customers understand better. Making my profits better by the market having confidence in my work. Making the wares better.
After 26 years of this work I have learned one thing. That there is something to change about what I know tomorrow.
Each customer is needing instruction like this. Osmosis and clairvoyant education as yet to occur so I must tell them what my pots are and what they are not.
I talked to two tile collectors one day at the Brimfield Flea Market. They demanded that those who know about tiles, pottery etc talk more to their customers. "We are the gate keepers" she said. "If we don't continue the teaching, their won't be anyone to continue the legacy."
I am not about to give up the legacy of redware. (Should others give up majolica? Earthenware is a big range of styles) It is an interesting question. Should I quit redware because of the arguement you stated?
But legitimizing an inferior product by the arguement of "continue legacy" is not correct. I must make the best that I can possibly do, honoring the past by applying the techncal knowledge that is available today.
"The mud Buddha scolds the clay Buddha". Chinese proverb
Take care
Rick
"Many a wiser men than I hath
gone to pot." 1649

Ron Roy on tue 30 aug 05


Hi Rick,

I can only say - what a wonderful, well reasoned response to the discussion.

I accept your reasoning and apologize for not taking the time and effort to
cover the subject in a more reasonable way - as you have.

Thank you - RR

>Dear RR
>I would be the first to defend your thoughts and legitimate arguements
>about earthenware.
>It is true that each variety of pottery types has its strengths and weaknesses.
>I study mid 18th century through 19th century ceramics. It was truly a
>period of great advancements that changed our lives and created our world
>today. The historic earthenwares were used in accordance with their place
>in the home. You baked in redware (red earthenware) because if you cooked
>in pearlware (white earthenware) it would turn brown. Can't cook in
>Stoneware, it would crack as would glass. Pewter melted. Tin was the only
>other choice if not soldered. It is the same today. Don't bake in plastic,
>don't microwave in aluminum. Nothing is inferior. It is just a question of
>use.
>It is also true that earthenware is fired over a wide range. I never felt
>comfortable using pit fired or mexican (ignoring the glaze) or raku or
>terra sig earthenwares when they feel soft, open bodied and light weight.
>These wares in comparison to my wares feel inferior. Yet my wares, being
>more porous than your prefered range, would have you lumping the hole mass
>together, which while I feel has partial merits, is wrong.
>Yes, I do agree with you but I have yet to see any evidence indicating
>death by (lead-free) earthenware. Maybe our dishwashers and soaps have
>something to do with it.
>I would get maybe 1 in 200 complaints of the hot handle. Yet, being this
>small, I now advocate a "no microwave" use. I do explain my wares to my
>customers.
>
>One day I overheard a potter defending her pottery windchimes to a
>customer who complained that they broke in a strong wind. You can see
>where I am going here. Duh. Pretty, but use them as a mobile. Not
>windchime. Those who are desperate for income and will compromise the
>truth hurt all of us.
>
>As you say, it is about making it better. Making my customers understand
>better. Making my profits better by the market having confidence in my
>work. Making the wares better.
>After 26 years of this work I have learned one thing. That there is
>something to change about what I know tomorrow.
>Each customer is needing instruction like this. Osmosis and clairvoyant
>education as yet to occur so I must tell them what my pots are and what
>they are not.
>I talked to two tile collectors one day at the Brimfield Flea Market. They
>demanded that those who know about tiles, pottery etc talk more to their
>customers. "We are the gate keepers" she said. "If we don't continue the
>teaching, their won't be anyone to continue the legacy."
>I am not about to give up the legacy of redware. (Should others give up
>majolica? Earthenware is a big range of styles) It is an interesting
>question. Should I quit redware because of the arguement you stated?
>But legitimizing an inferior product by the arguement of "continue legacy"
>is not correct. I must make the best that I can possibly do, honoring the
>past by applying the techncal knowledge that is available today.
>"The mud Buddha scolds the clay Buddha". Chinese proverb
>Take care
>Rick


Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513

Rick Hamelin on wed 31 aug 05


Dear Ron,
Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate your thoughts and the others who post here. ClayArt has its rewards and you are one.
Rick
"The pot calls the kettle black arse, when one accuses the other of what he is deep in himself".
B.E. New Dictionary of the Canting Crew:Pot. (a.1700) { ;-)