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Not Food Safe Glazes


Pugaboo

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I have made a low wide vase meant to plant flowers in and would like to use a crawl glaze on the outside. My concern is looking at it even though I curved the top rim in somewhat and did a decorative twisted edge that someone might buy it and think to use it for food instead. Soooo my question is how do you go about preventing something you mean to be used for plants or display only from being used to food instead?

 

I could put a card on it stating its not for food but you know they will never read it or lose it or give it as a gift without the card. What options do you all normally use for this type thing?

 

Thanks

 

Terry

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People are less likely to use an unglazed surface for food; so, you could put the crawl glaze on the outside and leave the inside unglazed. The plant roots might prefer that, too. Putting crawl on the inside might also dissuade them from using it for food. On your display, place a plant inside the pot -- that usually conveys the purpose of the pot (and often increases sales potential). Unless they eat off the exterior surface of the pot, the crawl glaze should be okay. However, once the pottery is purchased, you really have no control over how it is used ... you can call it a planter or non-food dish, but that does not mean it won't be used as a fruit bowl or serving bowl.

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If you make a lot of items that are not intended for food, it would be worth investing in a stamp that says "not safe for food" that you could stamp the bottom of your pots with. Custom stamps are available online from tons of different sources at very low prices. Should cost you less than $20.

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I thought about a hole in the bottom of the pot but I personally don't buy any inside decorative flower pots that have holes in the bottom it's just asking for a leak. I like the ones that are solid bottomed that I can fill with gravel and place another plain pot with the plant in it inside, it's just safer for my furniture and wood floors. Pots with holes I use outside so they can drain if it rains.

 

I will get a stamp I think it's the best option for me. I had a signature stamp made up at 4clay.com that I am happy with.

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Terry

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The trouble with the card explaining its not food safe only works for the 1st user-as its passed on to others is the issue.

Stamping the bottom is really the most ethical way short of not making anything thats not food safe.

Which is what I do.

Are cone 06 glazes still unsafe? I thought most manufactures cleaned this up with lead free stuff?

Mark

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I don't know about ^06 glazes but I am using a ^6 crawl glaze on the outside of this pot. The crawl glaze is the issue since its not food safe but I love the texture of it for display or plants especially when combined with RIO under it.

Again plan to order the stamp to stamp the bottoms of anything not intended for food just to be safe.

 

Terry

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Since I'm not a cone 6 guy I need to ask

 They make commercial cone 6 glazes with unsafe/not food safe ingredients which are listed not food safe on label? 

Keep in mind I never buy any commercial glazes so I have zero knowledge about them-I do know they cost a lot.

Are the foodsafe ones listed on the label as well?

Mark

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Being new to ceramics I am still using commercial glazes. I use Coyote and Amaco brands. Looking at the pint jar of glaze I have it doesn't seem to say on it that it isn't food safe maybe I'm just not seeing it. I went to their website and it does state which ones are not considered food safe. I think for the crawl and crackle glazes it is the crevices that form during firing that make them not safe for food use since germs and gunk could build up over time in them. I do have a coyote mat turquoise glaze that also says it is not safe for food as well but I'm not sure why this one says that.

 

I'm still learning and experimenting with different colors and textures to see which ones I end up liking best before I decide to start trying to mix my own glazes. I have discovered I really like the coyote celadon glazes and plan to purchase a larger size of a couple of those colors since I only have the little 4oz jars for testing. I mainly use underglazes for decorating with artwork and then a simple glaze like white or one of the celadons for over the underglaze and the inside of the dish.

 

I asked the question here because I made a low vase and am planning to use RIO and a coyote crawl glaze for the outside and most likely a shino on the inside. It must be nice to mix your own glazes and know exactly what you are putting on your pot I'll get there eventually but I know it will take me awhile.

 

Terry

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