hummingbird51 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Hello CAC - I am new, and a novice at pottery. I have a question about rough, porous clay. I have a pie dish I just bought at a craft fair. I am told it is made from rough, porous clay suitable for baking with. But grains of something keep falling off the unglazed bottom whenever I pick it up and put it down. Is this something I should be concerned about? I've wiped it off half a dozen times, and picked up and put it down even more, but it keeps happening. I even baked with it, and it's still doing it. It's very fine grains, and you can't really see it. But if you wipe your hand where it was sitting, you feel it. I was able to contact the person who made it, but I don't think she understands what's happening and I haven't been able to talk to her since. Is there a type of pottery that behaves like this but is still good? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 You do want coarser clay for oven ware to handle the heat shock. She has added sand into her clay. It should not be coming off the bottom. I am assuming that the inside is glazed so not a problem there. If this sand issue bothers you, contact her and ask for your money back. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEP Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 For any ceramic piece that is meant for functional use, nothing should be shedding from the pot. Also, the clay does not need to be rough and porous to work as bakeware, so that statement makes me skeptical too. The contact you made with her also raises red flags (she didn't seem to understand, and you haven't been able to reach her since), that sounds like a person who is communicating poorly on purpose. I would not continue to use the piece. I would also try to return it, if you think it will be worth the hassle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 GEP; I do make pie dishes and I use a coarser clay than my regular white Laguna. There is some grog in the body. Good for casseroles and pie dishes. I always state to the buyer not to put the piece on direct heat and heat up slowly in the oven. I do not have any sand or coarse material coming off my pieces. I say return it for your money back or exchange for something different. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEP Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 No argument with your post TJR. I agree that a groggy clay is more heat resistant than something very smooth. I guess I should have been clearer that the word I am objecting to is "porous." Grog does not make a claybody porous. A porous pot will retain moisture, and therefore make it less suitable for oven or microwave use. This is the part that makes me skeptical of the potter here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 No argument with your post TJR. I agree that a groggy clay is more heat resistant than something very smooth. I guess I should have been clearer that the word I am objecting to is "porous." Grog does not make a claybody porous. A porous pot will retain moisture, and therefore make it less suitable for oven or microwave use. This is the part that makes me skeptical of the potter here. I agree. Especially if she does not return the purchase, Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiselleNo5 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 I use several different rough/sandy/groggy clays for various uses including bakeware. I'll even make things where the majority of the piece is left unglazed. And I have never ever had sand or grains or anything else coming off my work. That's just very odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Fireborn Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 I wouldn't think it would matter what type of clay you used, groggy or sandy, neither should be shedding particles. I would return that instantly. Sounds like the clay isn't vitrified at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Sounds worse than just not being vitrified, bisque doesn't even do this. I wonder if she made up her own claybody and went into production without testing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Fireborn Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Sounds worse than just not being vitrified, bisque doesn't even do this. I wonder if she made up her own claybody and went into production without testing it. That's what I mean, the clay isn't even near vitrified or something odd is happening where its over vitrified and breaking down? I dunno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 My guess, could be earthernware that sat on silica sand in the kiln, some happened to migrate into the pores? Totally confused on what this could be. That is my best/worst guess. Never heard of any clay body dropping small sandy particles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Might be worth collecting some of the droppings on a sheet of white paper. It would serve as evidence, and could help the potter investigate what was happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 If she isn't answering you now I would contact the organizers of the craft fair where you bought it. Let them know why you want to speak to the maker and ask them for her contact info or leave yours with them for her to contact you if they don't want to give it out. If she wants to be a vendor again in that craft fair she will want to make you happy. (if it's a half way reputable craft fair) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 I think everybody is a little too quick to blame the hard working potter making their baking dishes, or maybe I am too optimistic . The situation just sounds very odd. Something could have been lost in explanation and the bare clay is just 'collecting' bits from the surface/tables while in use. I would imagine unglazed pottery is good at collecting the crumbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 ........sat on silica sand in the kiln, some happened to migrate into the pores? That concept was my guess at reading this. best, ................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hummingbird51 Posted August 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2015 Thank you for the responses. Here's feedback to some of them: I did consider the "crumb theory," and that maybe there were already crumbs or whatever on the table from something else. But I dismissed this because I checked for it. I set the plate down on the table, picked it up, wiped off the plate, wiped off the table, felt the table & plate for anything left on it - nothing, and set the plate down again. Again, fine bits of something were left on the table. I repeated this several times. I do think much less is coming off now however. I'm not sure, but did someone question why I have not returned this yet? I waited because I wanted to give this every chance for a reasonable explanation. I'm not interested in returning the plate, I want to keep it - IF it's good. For so many reasons I prefer to keep it (biggest one, the hassle of doing a return with someone not local). Anyway, I did initiate a return, and waiting to hear back from the potter. Thanks for all the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted August 14, 2015 Report Share Posted August 14, 2015 Get some 220 grit wet-dry sandpaper (the black stuff) at the hardware store and wet sand the bottom of the pot until it is very smooth, and stops shedding. Let it dry, and see if it continues to shed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 (Get some 220 grit wet-dry sandpaper (the black stuff) at the hardware store and wet sand the bottom of the pot until it is very smooth, and stops shedding. Let it dry, and see if it continues to shed.) This makes the most sense. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Dean Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 My guess, could be earthernware that sat on silica sand in the kiln, some happened to migrate into the pores? Totally confused on what this could be. That is my best/worst guess. Never heard of any clay body dropping small sandy particles. Similar thought/speculation. Maybe the potter has mixed alumina into their wax and it migrated into the pores? This can leave a dusty fine residue on the pot. If its this, the pot should be fine once all the alumina is cleaned up. +1 for Neil's wet sanding suggestion. -SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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