Drying question

When pots are firm I occasionally bring them into the house to finish drying. I have heard of using the microwave' on low power initially I think, although this is very much trial and error. Some gas or oil kiln firers "candle" i.e. place on a very low flame overnight to ensure pots are fully dry before firing proper.

You cannot hurry anything with additions, like handles or spouts. An ordinary bowl with a turned foot though should be fine. I have hurried things along by putting work like this in the kiln at about

50C and leaving it for several hours just chugging along at 50, I check it regularly and wipe any excess moisture that forms on the surface off. I have done this to even get bowls dry enough to turn to no ill effects. It does depend on your clay though. If I am a little unsure that something is completely dry I load the kiln the day before the firing, heat it slowly to 100C to 150C then turn it off and leave the door closed. Any residue moisture should dry out over night and then you fire the kiln the next day. Annemarie

When I want to dry stuff in a hurry I stand it on very absorbent board (Plasterboard/Drywall etc.) and direct 2 largish fans at it on opposite sides. Works a treat, after all the best laundry drying day is a windy one!

Steve Bath UK

In article , snipped-for-privacy@sympatico.ca writes

hold the kiln at 180 for 24 hours.I fired mostly sculptures that were up to

24 inches thick and did the same process for a week or ten days to good effect.