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mid fire glazes

updated thu 31 oct 96

 

Carl Ross on tue 1 oct 96

HI All,

I just was talking to some people at Continental and found I need to read the
fine print better. Yesterday, I went to Bayfield, A tourist trap way up
north and heard quite a few sales pitches from potters. They mainly stressed
that they used lead free glazes and they high fired all their ware so that it
is then safe too cook with, eat from, and are dishwasher safe. If I were to
use a mid fire white, how well will it withstand such things as cooking and
dishwashing. Also, I noticed they all used a textured glaze and claimed it
was food safe. when I look in the Cont. Clay Catolog, the whole Colored page
says lead free - Non Toxic and when I look closer half of the textured ones
like what I saw in bayfield, are foot noted with something to the effect of
"due to the pitted nature of this finish it is not recommended for surfaces
which contact food as they may invite bacterial growth. Certified AP
Non-Toxic. I just thought this should be addressed as it seems somewhat
misleading. I am also looking for the best Non-toxic lead-free AND food-safe
textured glazes. I bought an interesting flask that was stoneware a few weeks
ago at "the Elk River Rendevous" Pretty much everyone dressed up as people
from the 1600's and tried to recreate a trading camp. Anyway, the flask I
bought was clear glazed on the inside and textured glaze on the outside.
would that be considered food safe if the outside clay wasn't yet the inside
was? even though "all glazes used are lead free"

What Are the best lead-free textured food safe glazes for mid fire white?

Is it safe to use food unsafe glazes where the food won't go?

will a midfire white withstand the abuse it would get in a dishwasher, oven,
microwave or any other kitchen appliance?

Sorry if I sound annoying,

Any suggestions?

Carl In Phillips

Gerry Barbe on wed 2 oct 96

On Tue, 1 Oct 1996, Carl Ross wrote:
>
> will a midfire white withstand the abuse it would get in a dishwasher, oven,
> microwave or any other kitchen appliance?
>
> Carl In Phillips
>
Hi Carl,
The cone 6 white clay I use is a terrific functional clay. As
with most potters, I use my "seconds" . I have three plates that I just
love for defrosting and reheating food in the microwave. I'll estimate
that they go into the microwave and dishwasher three times a week. Now,
times that by 52 weeks a year and they must be, ummm, five years old.
That's a lot of use and they show no sign of wear. Not like my Noritake
"Blue Haven" china which has lost most of its blue!
If the clay does not vitrify you will know after a few washes in
the dishwasher, then it is not functional.
P.S. Were you in Bayfield, Ontario Canada?

Regards, Marilyn Barbe, trying to get rid of a cold in Ailsa
Craig, Ontario, Canada
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