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Porcelain Slab Platters


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Hi all,

I've had an order for some slab platters for Christmas. I know last minute shopping!  So I've slabbed four already, I've been told that porcelain slabs need to dry slowly. Problem being is we're in mid summer with temps of +30 deg C, I have no storage room since I work outside.  Can anyone confirm this info? If so how long should I keep them wrapped in plastic? Bearing in mind that every time I work on them they dry even more.

 

Thanks

 

Andread

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I don't know about slab work, but I presume they will need to dry carefully to prevent warping. As for porcelain, It has not been my experience that they don't need to dry any slower than other clay. Porcelain tends to dry faster , so caring for the moisture level just so you are able to complete all of your steps should be sufficient. But do get more opinions on the matter.

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The BIG issue is how BIG? When large slab platters are drying; they create the same problem when bisq firing: surface contact. The edges, rims not making contact with the drying surface- dries much quicker. The area making contact with the board dries much slower: and can drag as it dries. This is where unequal tensions show up later in the form of cracked pieces. As soon as it hits the leather=hard state, where it can be safely moved: flip it / support it: so it can dry on the bottom.

_Another trick is to put it on wax paper when you are making it: the bottom is then free to move as the exposed areas dry.

_ the whole issue is to dry it as evenly as possible.

 

Nerd

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The two that where made two days ago I will bisque today in a slow electric.They started out as just over 17 inches long and are ovals.

I do not bisque on lip that sit flat. Any cracking issues are usually in the green state not when bisquing. These are all Porcelain.

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Cat Jarosz had a video made of her work on HGTV some years ago..

I couldn't pull it up on the tablet but its on season 2 episode 44, in their "tune in times". She throws them, puts them in a vault for 30 days then sprigs and decorates them...when they're leather hard. Yes 30 days!¡!!! BTW, I've met her and family w/dogs and they're really nice!!

 

Alabama

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