Pontstudio Posted August 28, 2020 Report Share Posted August 28, 2020 Hi all, is it possible to dry work in an electric kiln, say on a continuous low temperature? I feel like I’ve heard something about drying cycles / programs, but when it comes to researching I haven’t managed to find any info. If it’s possible, what temperature and length of drying would you recommend? I usually dry my work slowly and evenly, but I’m trying to finish a big commission asap, and have a single pot that’s not dry enough to bisque with the others yet. I realise it could be a bit risky, but I’m just wondering if this is something anybody else does occasionally or regularly. thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted August 28, 2020 Report Share Posted August 28, 2020 @Pontstudio Depends on thickness of clay , if moisture trapped in thick walled pot it will explode. Candling kiln overnight is a common practice. Pity it is a commission that you are trying this out with. I have brought a pot into warm house, set it on cooling tray all day and then put it in warming oven of my wood stove, door open all night before kilning . Pot was thrown and uniform thickness. Candling name of process of drying ware in kiln. About 180 deg F for 8-10hrsish 80deg C ish I'd take it to 80 over a couple of hours Big pot get it off shelf with rods of clay to let air circulate. Good luck!! It depends, eh? I'd be placing that pot in middle of kiln Lets know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontstudio Posted August 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2020 @Babs candling is the magical word I was looking for... now I can do some proper research! Thank you!! the wet piece is a ‘backup’ for the commission so it’s not essential, but if there was a way of drying it in time I’d feel more comfortable knowing there was a backup piece, should anything else go wrong in the firing. thanks so much for your advice.. it’s a coil pot so I’d definitely follow your advice to place in the middle of the kiln with props beneath it to let air circulate / moisture escape. I’ll give it a bit more thought.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted August 28, 2020 Report Share Posted August 28, 2020 Ditto to everything Babs said. Air circulation is just as important as the heat. For instance, with student wares, especially those that have a heavy bottom, get fired upside down, so the air can get to it, instead of being insulated by the kiln shelf. Drying things outside on warm day, with a bit of a breeze dries things extremely well! The heater in my classroom also dries things well (sometimes too well) ask the students who meant to leave their slabs on the heater to set up a bit, and now the edges are bone dry and curled upward... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted August 28, 2020 Report Share Posted August 28, 2020 2 hours ago, Benzine said: Air circulation is just as important as the heat. In grad school we had an electric kiln that had a hole drilled in the side of it so we could attach a small squirrel cage blower to it to speed up drying. Worked very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted August 28, 2020 Report Share Posted August 28, 2020 45 minutes ago, neilestrick said: In grad school we had an electric kiln that had a hole drilled in the side of it so we could attach a small squirrel cage blower to it to speed up drying. Worked very well. I suppose kiln vents now serve the same purpose. Also, I've always found the term "squirrel cage blower/ fan" to be amusing. Like, how did that get to be the name? I'm guessing because the mesh construction looks like a squirrel cage, but what exactly is a squirrel cage? Is that where delinquent squirrels are kept, when they break the law? If so, I need one for those couple of squirrels who keep getting into my bird feeder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted August 28, 2020 Report Share Posted August 28, 2020 3 hours ago, Benzine said: If so, I need one for those couple of squirrels who keep getting into my bird feeder! Just get some of those metal mesh bird feeders especially designed to thwart squirrels (they don't). Remove the lid--you will have an instant squirrel cage! Take the squirrel about 15 miles out of town. He won't show up again for a couple of days at least. Maybe let the birds know they can eat in peace on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 benzine, think hamster wheel instead of squirrel cage and you probably have the origin of the fan name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.