Jump to content

Clay Storage Environment


Recommended Posts

Do you store in an air conditioned place or temperature controlled area?

 

My studio has changed around and am getting the first clay shipment in really hot weather.    It's not as convenient to store in the air conditioned area but I can do it if needed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see you live in a very humid area of the US, I wouldn't worry about the heat, I might put it the shade.  It's usually the freezing temperatures you worry about,  clay can slowly dry through the plastic bags.  I usually don't notice that happening until I have had it at least 6 months and with your humidity I don't think you'll have to worry about it at all.    Denice

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I store my clay outside on a raised platform under my kayak rack and kayaks. A large tarp covers everything summer and winter long. Freezing? Just let it thaw, cut the outside edges 2" thick and reverse them in to the inside, wrap and re-store for a a week, then start wedging with slash and slam finish with cone. I have been doing it this way for many years, and only get upset about a few things. Boxes that get wet because I was negligent in covering them. Clay that dries out because I don't pay the extra for the twisties on the bags in the boxes. ^_^

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The ideal storage is in an old (dead) fridge or freezer, kept somewhere in the shade. In summer we stop the clay from drying out by draping wet towels over the bags of clay in the fridge. Pieces of plaster soaked in water would serve the same purpose. Plastic bins split.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

denice nailed it.  stack the boxes on pallets if you want them off the floor but do not worry about it drying out in Mississippi.  keep the height of the stack reasonable for handling so you do not injure anyone lifting or lowering too high or too low.  use wheels whenever possible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had no idea that I could store clay outside.  Somewhere I got it in my head that it had to be stored in a temperature controlled environment.   I could easily put some sort of shed up where the pallets of clay could just be rolled in.   As for freezing in winter, when I get the pug mill that wouldn't matter.   Plus could you put those green house frost blankets over the clay?    Right now I pay someone $60 to bring the clay indoors and it's stored right around the slab roller.  No one here ever picks up the 50 pound boxes.  My nieces weigh 100 pounds, if that, and picking up the 25 pound size is about all they can do.

 

I need to check into this and maybe get 2 pallets.  A pallet comes in with around 58 boxes of clay.   If I have full production workers here, we use that in one month.  We ran out of clay on Friday ... I got shipped 3000 pounds of some white powder instead of clay .... I've never been completely out.  With outdoor storage I could get more shipments and wouldn't worry about bringing the clay in.   It would be nice just to have the delivery rolled into the shed.  I have sheds now but they are too far away from the making area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yes you can store clay outdoors -- where do you think clay comes from???  lol.

 

You WILL need to defrost your clay in winter if you plan to put it in the pugmill or any other mixing equipment.  That would be a very expensive repair should it break your new fancy equipment.  A simple shed, carport, frost blanket, etc could be all you need to keep it workable in dead winter - what do I know, I'm from California!

 

Think about getting yourself a couple of furniture dollies and put a piece of plywood over them - store your clay on these and you can easily roll them around studio.  That's how we store boxed up clay.

 

We mix our own sculpture body and store it like this.  It's never around long enough to dry out, or unless someone carelessly leaves it open.  Volume on the pallet is maybe 3500+lbs and sits inside a 6 mil pallet bag.  During high production times, we consume this much clay about every 10 days I'd guess:

716_zps35654a33.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 years later...

I’m a newbie and the most clay I’ve used in a month is about 20 pounds!  My concern for outdoor (garage) storage is heat.  I live in Florida and my garage can reach 90-100° in mid-summer, and the humidity is right up there with it.  Seems to me like perfect conditions for growing mold.  Thoughts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.