The presence of moisture in clay can be a serious problem when it is fired in a kiln, as mistakes in this area can have dangerous consequences. Firing wet clay can prove to be hazardous, resulting in exploding pottery, breakage, and even damage to the kiln itself. Understanding the drying and firing process is essential for any potter or ceramic artist, and it’s important to carry out the necessary steps to ensure that your clay is dry before it enters the kiln.
The Dangers of Firing Wet Clay
It’s essential to ensure that the clay is completely dry when firing it in a kiln. If the clay is wet when it’s fired, the steam created may cause the pottery to expand and create cracks or even explosions. The risk of damage to the kiln exists too – as the steam heats up and creates pressure, it can cause the kiln to malfunction, resulting in destruction of the kiln and all of its contents.
What to Do if You Accidentally Fire Wet Clay
Should you suspect that you have fired wet clay in the kiln, the contents of the kiln should be allowed to cool completely before it is opened, as doing so prematurely could cause an explosion. Once the kiln has cooled, you can inspect the contents for any signs of damage and discard any pieces that are not salvageable. If your kiln successfully fired wet clay without explosion or noticeable damage, then you should avoid firing pieces with wet clay in it again in the same kiln. It is best to start another kiln with perfectly dry clay.
How to Avoid Firing Wet Clay
In order to avoid any dangerous complications as a result of firing wet clay, it’s important to take steps to ensure that the clay is properly dried. Drying clay naturally by leaving it out to air dry for several days is one way to avoid the risks associated with firing wet clay. However, this method may be time consuming, so an alternative would be to dry it in a dehumidifying chamber or oven.
The Risks of Firing Wet Clay
Firing wet clay is not only dangerous for the pottery or ceramic pieces being fired, but it also poses a risk to the kiln itself. Thanks to the steam created when wet clay is fired, dangerous explosions may occur and cause breakage throughout the kiln. By ensuring that all pieces are completely dry before they enter the kiln, you can avoid these risks.
Preparing Clay for Firing?
Before clay can be fired in a kiln, pieces must be prepared accordingly. It’s important to make sure that all pieces are clean and free from any dirt or debris before they enter the kiln. Once they have been prepared and cleaned, they must then be left out of the kiln environment to dry until they no longer contain any moisture.
Understanding the Drying and Firing Process
To guarantee a successful firing process, it is essential for potters and ceramic artists to understand the process of drying and firing. Clay must be dried for a long enough time for any present moisture or water vapour to evaporate. Drying times will vary depending on different factors such as humidity levels, temperature, and the size of the piece. Once the pieces are dry, they can then be safely loaded into a kiln.
Common Mistakes When Loading Kilns with Wet Clay
When loading pieces into a kiln, potters and ceramic artists should continue to be wary of mistakes that could lead to a wet clay firing accident. Before loading the pieces into the kiln, they should be checked with a water-sensing test to ensure that all of the pieces are completely dry before firing. It is also wise to leave some space between pieces as too much packing may lead to increased pressure within the kiln and could result in explosions.
The Benefits of Firing Dry Clay
Firing dry clay helps to reduce stress on your pottery pieces and eliminates the risk of explosions that can be caused from firing wet clay. Dry pieces also have a better chance of success as there’s no risk of steam or pressure forming within the kiln environment, which can occasionally lead to unwanted explosions or breakage.
Tips for Ensuring Your Clay is Dry Before Firing
While some potters will choose to dry their clay by leaving it out in open air for several days – a process known as ‘air drying’ – there are other ways to ensure that your clay is completely dry before firing. Placing your pieces into a dehumidifying chamber or oven can help speed up this process whilst still ensuring complete moisture removal. Testing pieces using a water-sensing test is worthwhile here too – it can detect any remaining water vapour present.
Firing wet clay is a dangerous endeavour and one that should be avoided, as it can result in explosions, breakage, and even damage your kiln. With careful preparation, drying and testing it’s possible to ensure successful firings every time. The key here is understanding the drying and firing process, taking steps to ensure that your clay is dry before you fire it in your kiln, and learning from any mistakes you may make along the way.
