AusBonsai

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

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

This is one that Graham made for me . Sorry no egg for size comparison , it's a little shohin pot . Thanks Graham it's just what I was after . Have a great trip south
Cheers Craig

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

regwac wrote: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.

regwac wrote: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?

Elmar wrote:

regwac wrote: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.

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 .

Jarad wrote: 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

Here are pics of the bisqued pots , now glazed .