latest firing

[Rory]

I see now why you use an egg for size comparison.

Clearly you have just sculpted the pots out of a pavlova.

[Sno]

This is one that Graham made for me . Sorry no egg for size comparison , it's a little shohin pot .

image.jpg

Thanks Graham it's just what I was after . Have a great trip south
Cheers Craig

[Pat K]

I like where you're going with the 5th pot, Graham
.....I would like it even more if you had wire cut the slabs rather than rolled them.

Cheers,
Pat

[regwac]

Do not tell anyone how big that snowman is Craig ! Everyone will want similar gigantic pot .
Nice little scene you created .
We are west of Albury . Betty can't get over how flat the country is .
Cheers
Graham

[regwac]

Definitely plan to do more like that 5th pot Pat .
Wire cut slabs will suit the style . I have not used wire cut slabs but thanks for the suggestion I will give it a go .
Cheers
Graham

[regwac]

This is why we need stoneware pots in the cold country . This is a pot I purchased , seemed OK , the second winter got it .

[shibui]

This is why we need stoneware pots in the cold country . This is a pot I purchased , seemed OK , the second winter got it .

Same sort of problems this year at Yackandandah but fortunately not with bonsai pots. 2 bird baths at Yackatoon retirement village have fallen apart in the last few weeks due to moisture inside the clay expanding when frozen at night.

[regwac]

This de lamination will happen over time even without the frost . Especially with slip cast pots .

[Jarad]

Is this why we lick the pots to see whether or not it's stoneware?

[Rory]

This is why we need stoneware pots in the cold country . This is a pot I purchased , seemed OK , the second winter got it .

Wow, that's bad. Crikey, I guess people should pay attention to this problem and be aware who they buy pots off, because if you move to a colder climate.... Crack! Or even if you have a sudden cold snap like we just had in the eastern states.

[Elmar]

This is why we need stoneware pots in the cold country . This is a pot I purchased , seemed OK , the second winter got it .

Can you explain that to the uneducated, like myself - Stoneware pots are 'ground' from stone or is it a type of clay/firing process that makes the difference?

[Jarad]

This is why we need stoneware pots in the cold country . This is a pot I purchased , seemed OK , the second winter got it .

Can you explain that to the uneducated, like myself - Stoneware pots are 'ground' from stone or is it a type of clay/firing process that makes the difference?

Hey Elmar,
Do you remember this thread?:
viewtopic.php?f=45&t=19600&

I believe the difference between earthenware and stoneware is the temperature of the kiln when the pots are fired. I'm no pot expert so don't just take my word for it.

[regwac]

Personally I am not into licking pots . It may work but no thanks , especially on a second hand pot . I just bought a job lot of second hand pots and they are filthy ! 'Pinging' the pot with a fingernail will give you some idea , it will ring like crystal if it is stoneware, other pots give a dull thud .
You best assurance of a pot being stoneware is to know the maker , either directly or by reputation . Look for marks on the bottom of the pot .
Stoneware pots are made from clay that will take high temperature firings . At high temperatures these clays become glass-like and do not absorb water . If the stoneware has a glaze , then that glaze becomes part of the clay during the firing .
Clays that are fired at lower temperatures will absorb water , if they have a glaze it is just sitting on the clay and has not bonded . The glaze is glassy , water sits between the glaze and the clay , along comes a frost , the water freezes , ice has greater volume than the same amount of water and the pot delaminates .

[Elmar]

Hey Elmar,
Do you remember this thread?:
viewtopic.php?f=45&t=19600&

Mate, that was months ago! but you remember correctly, once interest it!

Thank you, for that clear explanation, Graham. Succinct!


Cheers
Elmar

[regwac]

Here are pics of the bisqued pots , now glazed .