Patricia Oetken Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 I have a student who made mortar and pestles using stoneware, and I am stumped on how to guide her to glazing the pestle. We are not allowed to use stilts in our studio. I suggested making a drip tray so she can stand it on end, but I'm not sure how to make sure the pestle stem does not touch the wall. Everything I've read says these should be made from porcelain and leave the grinding end unglazed. I'm concerned that the pestle will not be food safe if left raw. any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 Maybe throw a fixture that will hold the pestel vertical? Like a candle holder (but short and squat). And only glaze the business end Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 I think as long as the clay is fired to maturity and has the lowest porosity you can manage, it should be ok. After all, they sell mortar and pestle sets that are made from stone or volcanic rock that are likely more porous than mature clay. If you're grinding things, they work better if they're not a glassy glazed surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I would probably just leave the whole thing unglazed. Porcelain is plenty tight to be food safe, although it may stain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrim8 Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I made a few out of porcelain and left the pestle unglazed. It works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 No glaze is best-porcelain is food safe when vitrified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Dean Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I'd leave the grinding areas of both the mortar and pestle unglazed. If you want to glaze part of the pestle, you might be able to use wadding on the unglazed areas since you can't use stilts. Just make sure the wadding isn't touching any glaze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 if the whole thing is unglazed maybe use a little alumina in wax so the porcelain doesn't stick to the shelf. OR you could make a drip plate and put grog in it to support the pestle. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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