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Drying Greenware... For How Long?


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Alright, I'll get straight to the point. I have a wheel, and would love to start creating. However, the kiln i bought will not be available/functioning for 2 weeks-2 months (need to upgrade my electrical box). How long can my greenware sit before it NEEDS to be fired? Is it OK for pieces to dry for that long? I can't imaging why not, but I would hate to put in a bunch of hours/make something I really like, only to have to scrap it. 

 

Side note: this will be my first time firing my own pieces, so I'm sure I'll have lots of questions in the future!

 

Thanks!

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Yes, what Foxden said, and I'll add that the danger is in firing pieces that are too wet. I just had a piece I thought was dry enough explode in the kiln on me. Ugh. When in doubt about the dryness of pieces, do a long preheat - I usually do 12 hours, but yesterday I skimped and did 7 hours and I paid the price,

Nancy

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How long before firing?

 

Twelve years ago, I went to a pottery for a half hour 'experience' session. You had to pay extra for firing, and I didn't think my pots were worth it. They were not tall, slim, thin, elegant, almost transparent. So I just put them away and left them. I re-discovered them a few months ago when I got my kiln, blew the dust off them and thought exactly the same as you did. Is that too long? But I decided to take a chance - at least they'd be thoroughly dry - and bisqued them. No problem. So I glazed them. And they're great! And, as a bonus, I now see I was so wrong with my initial opinion about their quality.

 

Girts

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