Drying Time (again you're going to leave me......"
Ray Charles joke. but, how long and where do you let your original pieces dry? We have had rain for over a month now and the humidity has been a killer. YUCK!
I suppose you could put them in the kiln, leave the lid up and set it for the lowest temperature. The pieces I do are usually small enough or thin enough that I don't have explosions if they are not bone dry.
6 months ago
A real problem in damp weather! Collieflower's idea seems good. But DON't try microwaving them!!! I did that with tiles at a friend's house many years ago, and it was really a disaster!
The classical solution, of course, is PATIENCE...!
The classical solution, of course, is PATIENCE...!
6 months ago
It has been damp here also. Ed puts a fan on them and runs a dehumidifier. When you put them in the kiln like collie said put them on low for an hour or so.
6 months ago
The serious humidity has reached here in Pa as well. I dump my de-humidifier 2 times daily. The fans are giving me a headache! Then I remember that I am moving to Swamp Central this summer....YEA!
What Collie says is good....preheating or candling. Patience also helps....lots of it! I am preheating my kiln every so often just to keep it dry.
What Collie says is good....preheating or candling. Patience also helps....lots of it! I am preheating my kiln every so often just to keep it dry.
6 months ago
I actually put mine in my cooking oven on 150 for a few hours! Since I live alone it doesn't see much real cooking action and since it isn't that warm it isn't releasing any toxic fumes into the house. At least I don;t think it is! Cats are supposed to glow in the dark right? LOL! Obvioulsy thin only works for small batches of stuff.
6 months ago
Maybe find something sealable, with a lot of space, like an unworking refrigerator, and throw in some of those dessicant packets they put in guitar cases..> ?
6 months ago
I never force the drying time unless I'm trying to join two pieces. At the AC we would wrap the work in plastic still on the bat. Sometimes it took forever. With certain forms like bowls and platters you want a long drying time so the rim doesn't get dry too quickly while the base is still wet. Large fans do work and can make stuff managable in less than a day. You can also get things started with a hairdryer. A friend places all her work on and near her floor vents through out the house. Doesn't make a difference whether it's heating or cooling, both will dry the work.
6 months ago
