Debbie Jestin on sun 25 nov 01
I was checking out the pottery on the Cloudspace studio site and read a
quote "we don't suggest microwaving any pottery as this will shorten the
life of your piece". Is this true? I've been told that pottery is microwave
safe. I use my favorite mug in the microwave every day. I've only been
potting for two years so I'm always learning. I don't want to tell someone
pottery is microwave safe if it's not.
Cindy Strnad on sun 25 nov 01
Dear Debbie,
Some pottery is microwave safe; some isn't.
(Low-fire generally isn't.) You will find lots of
good information on this in the archives. Look
under microwave, absorption, vitrification--stuff
like that. The trick is: you have to have a clay
body which is nearly vitrified (melted to the
glass-like stage) in order to prevent the
absorption of water into the unglazed part of the
piece. It is water in the claybody (primarily)
that causes problems in microwaving. For low-fire
work, you need a completely glazed piece and a
perfectly fitting, impermeable glaze. Not so easy
to do as it is to say.
Some glazes may also heat up excessively in the
microwave, endangering fingers when removing the
dish bare-handed, but I've found this to be a
minimal problem in my actual testing. Naturally,
you'll want to test your own glazes yourself, to
be sure. Just put an empty cup glazed in the glaze
you wish to test into the microwave oven (also
include a cup with water in it, to protect the
oven) and microwave it in 10 second increments,
testing at each interval to see if your glaze has
become hot to the touch.
As an aside, the microwave oven is not the best
method for heating water for good tea. If you want
nicer tea, use the stove-top tea kettle and let
your water come barely to the bubbling stage. It
doesn't take that much longer.
Best wishes,
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com
CINDI ANDERSON on wed 28 nov 01
This kind of thing bugs me, which is why I sent out my message last month which
some people took offense to... But nobody disagreed with my beliefs that clay
fired below about Cone 1 cannot vitrify, so it can absorb moisture which turns to
steam in the microwave and can crack the piece. Earthenware clays are often in the
10%+ absorption range. Mid to high fire clay that is properly vitrified (not all
mid-high fire clay, but that which is fired to it's correct temperature) is
completely safe in the microwave. (Absorption rates 3% and less are typical)
I don't know the studio in question, you didn't give the URL. But I would guess
they are using low fire. If not, there is no reason they cannot use a clay that
makes objects microwave safe.
The reason this bugs me is that sometimes people make expensive function pieces out
of clay that is not durable (microwave safe, or chips easily, or can't go in the
dishwasher, etc.) In some cases the consumer has no idea that these pieces are not
going to last. In other cases they get told, as you did about dishwasher safety,
but then they get a bad opinion about handmade ceramics in general. I'll get off
my soap box now.
Cindi
Fremont, CA
----------------------------------------------------
Debbie Jestin wrote:
> I was checking out the pottery on the Cloudspace studio site and read a
> quote "we don't suggest microwaving any pottery as this will shorten the
> life of your piece". Is this true? I've been told that pottery is microwave
> safe. I use my favorite mug in the microwave every day. I've only been
> potting for two years so I'm always learning. I don't want to tell someone
> pottery is microwave safe if it's not.
Dave Finkelnburg on thu 29 nov 01
Cindi,
You wrote, "... But nobody disagreed with my beliefs that clay
>fired below about Cone 1 cannot vitrify,...."
I know it's not intentional, but please do not continue to spread this
sort of misinformation. Of course many clay bodies fired below Cone 1 can,
and often do, vitrify adequately for functional purposes.
The problem with lack of vitrification is always the same -- the ware is
underfired.
Respectfully,
Dave Finkelnburg in wintery Idaho
Eva Gallagher on sat 15 oct 11
Yes, there is something about the iron - we have a world microwave expert
here in our little town who started doing experiments with various iron
glazes for us and how they affect microwaves. There is an effect sometimes
but it is extrmemly complicated physics type explanation and seems to
depend on the various states (electrical, spin ???) of iron - - he has not
really finished the work as he is very busy doing commercial work - like
mineral assay with microwaves for mining companies. You can search the
archives as I did forward one of his replies to Clayart - his name is Ron
Hutcheon.
Eva Gallagher
Deep River, Ontario
http://newfoundoutpotter.blogspot.com/
http://www.valleyartisans.com/gallagher/Gallagher.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: "Patty Kaliher"
To:
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 4:56 PM
Subject: Re: Microwave Safe?
>I seems to me that some bowls and mugs with high iron content glazes get
> hotter in the microwave than those without.
> My husband finds his microwave oatmeal will boil over in one of my bowls,
> dark brown, and not in the other, light blue. Both are the same size and
> are v shaped. He prepares his oatmeal the exact same way each morning. =
I
> wouldn't touch the stuff. The dark brown bowl is hotter on the outside
> than
> other bowls used the same way. My bowls are cone 6 porcelain fired to
> witness cone 6 with a hold at the top and fired down. When thin enough
> this
> clay is translucent when fired so I know the clay is vitrified. I have a
> couple of mugs in my collection that get super hot on the outside heated
> in
> the microwave. I think the iron in the glaze, which is magnetic like
> water,
> may be affected by the microwave.
>
> Is this plausible?
>
> Patty Kaliher
>
>
Steve Slatin on sat 15 oct 11
Patty -- A few years ago this thing came up, and someone (can't=3D0Aremembe=
r =3D
who right now) identified a glaze that got hot in a=3D0Amicrowave even when=
f=3D
ired over a well-vitrified clay. Plenty=3D0Aof high-iron glazes, however, d=
o =3D
not.=3DA0 IIRC, the thing about=3D0Athe specific misbehaving glaze is that =
it w=3D
as very high in=3D0Aphosphorus (it also had high iron in it).=3D0A=3D0AAs I=
under=3D
stand it, the frequency of a magnetron's emissions=3D0Ain a microwave are s=
pe=3D
cifically tuned to the frequency at which =3D0Athe bonds between hydrogen a=
nd=3D
oxygen in water optimally=3D0Avibrate (and consequently rotate) in the wat=
er=3D
.=3DA0 It is this,=3D0Aand not the polar nature of water molecules, that ma=
ke t=3D
hem=3D0Aheat up in a microwave.=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0ASteve Slatin -- =3D0A=3D=
0A=3D0AN48.08864=3D
50=3D0AW123.1420482=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A________________________________=3D0A=3D0=
A=3D0AI seems =3D
to me that some bowls and mugs with high iron content glazes get=3D0Ahotter=
i=3D
n the microwave than those without.=3D0AMy husband finds his microwave oatm=
ea=3D
l will boil over in one of my bowls,=3D0Adark brown, and not in the other, =
li=3D
ght blue.=3DA0 Both are the same size and=3D0Aare v shaped.=3DA0 He prepare=
s his =3D
oatmeal the exact same way each morning.=3DA0 I=3D0Awouldn't touch the stuf=
f.=3D
=3DA0 The dark brown bowl is hotter on the outside than=3D0Aother bowls use=
d th=3D
e same way.=3DA0 My bowls are cone 6 porcelain fired to=3D0Awitness cone 6 =
with=3D
a hold at the top and fired down.=3DA0 When thin enough this=3D0Aclay is t=
rans=3D
lucent when fired so I know the clay is vitrified.=3DA0 I have a=3D0Acouple=
of =3D
mugs in my collection that get super hot on the outside heated in=3D0Athe m=
ic=3D
rowave. I think the iron in the glaze, which is magnetic like water,=3D0Ama=
y =3D
be affected by the microwave.=3D0A=3D0AIs this plausible?=3D0A=3D0APatty Ka=
liher
=3D?iso-8859-1?B?VGlnIER1cHLp?=3D on sat 15 oct 11
When a customer is examining my pottery=3D2C the most-often asked question =
is=3D
=3D2C "Is it microwave safe? Dishwasher safe?" I=3D2C of course certify t=
hat =3D
it is=3D2C that I have done extensive testing in using and washing my own w=
ar=3D
es before offering them to the public-at-large.
As it turns out=3D2C the term "microwave safe" is ambiguous=3D2C with no re=
al i=3D
ndustry standard definition. Good Housekeeping magazine did some independe=
=3D
nt testing and found that some major brands of factory-made pottery have so=
=3D
me problems with leaching=3D2C and some problems with heat transfer to the =
co=3D
ntainer.
The article may be found here:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/consumer-protection/microwa=
=3D
ve-safe-investigation
A Good Housekeeping on-line survey of 1=3D2C132 respondents showed that som=
e =3D
considered the phrase to mean that toxins will not leach into food=3D2C whi=
le=3D
others felt that the dish wouldn't get too hot to the touch=3D2C and still=
o=3D
thers thought that the item wouldn't break in the microwave oven. =3D20
The Good Housekeeping testing showed that some mugs leached amounts of arse=
=3D
nic=3D2C lead=3D2C or cadmium=3D2C but the amounts were within amounts allo=
wed by=3D
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
I tell my customers that none of the toxic substances are used in the makin=
=3D
g of my pottery=3D2C and that I use a neutral liner glaze on most food-bear=
in=3D
g surfaces--plates being the only exception. As for the pot getting hot in=
=3D
the microwave=3D2C I figure that is a normal condition=3D2C as the food in=
the=3D
pot is getting hot=3D2C transferring the heat to the surface of the contai=
ne=3D
r. I caution them to use common precautions when handling hot pots. Use a=
=3D
pot holder.
Taking the personal position of Forrest Gump=3D2C "Stupid is as stupid does=
."=3D
If someone puts a mug of coffee in the microwave to re-heat it=3D2C and s=
et=3D
s the timer on 10 minutes=3D2C the pot will get very hot=3D2C indeed. Wate=
r bo=3D
ils at 212 degrees F (100 degrees C)=3D2C and the heat will transfer to the=
m=3D
ug. As for the leaching of colorants=3D2C we've all discussed the practica=
l =3D
limits of copper=3D2C cobalt=3D2C iron=3D2C manganese=3D2C and others=3D2C =
and Ron Ro=3D
y and John Hesselberth have done extensive testing of glaze limits=3D2C pub=
li=3D
shed in their work=3D2C "Mastering Cone Six Glazes." =3D20
I usually make some light remark along the lines of=3D2C "Why would I wish =
to=3D
harm my customers?" Still=3D2C some people require the reassurance that t=
he=3D
y aren't going to keel over dead by using hand-made pottery. I figure that=
=3D
hand-made is better than factory made because we are our own best quality =
=3D
control board.
Just my thoughts=3D2C
Tig Dupre
in sunny Port Orchard=3D2C WA
=3D
Ron Roy on sat 15 oct 11
Hi Tig,
Wonderful to hear you talk like that - and of course it's in our best =3D20
interests to do the job properly. After all - if our pots work they =3D20
will be used and enjoyed - which will also lead to better sales over =3D20
time.
Pots do get hot because the food in them is hot but - there is another =3D2=
0
reason that pots can get overly hot in a microwave oven - hot enough =3D20
to seriously burn the user.
When clay is not vitrified enough to exclude water - overtime water =3D20
will get in the clay from an unglazed foot, pin hole, crazing or other =3D2=
0
glaze imperfections. When any pot is heated in a microwave that water, =3D2=
0
in the clay, heats up fast and can result in a burn. Some on this list =3D2=
0
have sustained burns because of this - David Hendly reported one for =3D20
instance.
I would suggest that if anyone is making pottery that is not vitrified =3D2=
0
enough to exclude water that they label their ware not for use in a =3D20
microwave oven.
RR
Quoting Tig Dupr=3DE9 :
> When a customer is examining my pottery, the most-often asked =3D20
> question is, "Is it microwave safe? Dishwasher safe?" I, of course =3D2=
0
> certify that it is, that I have done extensive testing in using and =3D20
> washing my own wares before offering them to the public-at-large.
>
> As it turns out, the term "microwave safe" is ambiguous, with no =3D20
> real industry standard definition. Good Housekeeping magazine did =3D20
> some independent testing and found that some major brands of =3D20
> factory-made pottery have some problems with leaching, and some =3D20
> problems with heat transfer to the container.
>
> The article may be found here:
>
> http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/consumer-protection/micro=
w=3D
ave-safe-investigation
>
> A Good Housekeeping on-line survey of 1,132 respondents showed that =3D20
> some considered the phrase to mean that toxins will not leach into =3D20
> food, while others felt that the dish wouldn't get too hot to the =3D20
> touch, and still others thought that the item wouldn't break in the =3D20
> microwave oven.
>
> The Good Housekeeping testing showed that some mugs leached amounts =3D20
> of arsenic, lead, or cadmium, but the amounts were within amounts =3D20
> allowed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
>
> I tell my customers that none of the toxic substances are used in =3D20
> the making of my pottery, and that I use a neutral liner glaze on =3D20
> most food-bearing surfaces--plates being the only exception. As for =3D2=
0
> the pot getting hot in the microwave, I figure that is a normal =3D20
> condition, as the food in the pot is getting hot, transferring the =3D20
> heat to the surface of the container. I caution them to use common =3D20
> precautions when handling hot pots. Use a pot holder.
>
> Taking the personal position of Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid =3D20
> does." If someone puts a mug of coffee in the microwave to re-heat =3D20
> it, and sets the timer on 10 minutes, the pot will get very hot, =3D20
> indeed. Water boils at 212 degrees F (100 degrees C), and the heat =3D20
> will transfer to the mug. As for the leaching of colorants, we've =3D20
> all discussed the practical limits of copper, cobalt, iron, =3D20
> manganese, and others, and Ron Roy and John Hesselberth have done =3D20
> extensive testing of glaze limits, published in their work, =3D20
> "Mastering Cone Six Glazes."
>
> I usually make some light remark along the lines of, "Why would I =3D20
> wish to harm my customers?" Still, some people require the =3D20
> reassurance that they aren't going to keel over dead by using =3D20
> hand-made pottery. I figure that hand-made is better than factory =3D20
> made because we are our own best quality control board.
>
> Just my thoughts,
>
> Tig Dupre
> in sunny Port Orchard, WA
>
>
Patty Kaliher on sat 15 oct 11
I seems to me that some bowls and mugs with high iron content glazes get
hotter in the microwave than those without.
My husband finds his microwave oatmeal will boil over in one of my bowls,
dark brown, and not in the other, light blue. Both are the same size and
are v shaped. He prepares his oatmeal the exact same way each morning. I
wouldn't touch the stuff. The dark brown bowl is hotter on the outside tha=
n
other bowls used the same way. My bowls are cone 6 porcelain fired to
witness cone 6 with a hold at the top and fired down. When thin enough thi=
s
clay is translucent when fired so I know the clay is vitrified. I have a
couple of mugs in my collection that get super hot on the outside heated in
the microwave. I think the iron in the glaze, which is magnetic like water,
may be affected by the microwave.
Is this plausible?
Patty Kaliher
Personal Gmail on mon 17 oct 11
Hi, what porcelain do you use? I have not found any that are translucent a=
t=3D
cone 6.
I had a customer ask me yesterday if my bowls were microwave safe and I sai=
d=3D
I could not verify that they meet every aspect of microwave safe as I do n=
o=3D
t have a team and lab to do testing to make that statement. I do put mine =
i=3D
n the microwave with no issues so far.
What do smalltime potters say when asked this question. =3D20
I see potters who have signs saying microwave safe, oven safe and dishwashe=
r=3D
safe. What standards do these terms imply?
Thx in advance. MJ
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 15, 2011, at 1:56 PM, Patty Kaliher wrote:
> I seems to me that some bowls and mugs with high iron content glazes get
> hotter in the microwave than those without.
> My husband finds his microwave oatmeal will boil over in one of my bowls,
> dark brown, and not in the other, light blue. Both are the same size and
> are v shaped. He prepares his oatmeal the exact same way each morning. =
I=3D
> wouldn't touch the stuff. The dark brown bowl is hotter on the outside t=
h=3D
an
> other bowls used the same way. My bowls are cone 6 porcelain fired to
> witness cone 6 with a hold at the top and fired down. When thin enough t=
h=3D
is
> clay is translucent when fired so I know the clay is vitrified. I have a
> couple of mugs in my collection that get super hot on the outside heated =
i=3D
n
> the microwave. I think the iron in the glaze, which is magnetic like wate=
r=3D
,
> may be affected by the microwave.
>=3D20
> Is this plausible?
>=3D20
> Patty Kaliher
J Motzkin on mon 17 oct 11
I received a mug in a mug exchange at Nceca in Baltimore. I used it
occasionally in the studio. One day I reheated my tea in the studio
microwave, reached on and took the mug by the handle. I had big blisters on
my fingers from the burning hot clay. This was a white clay, white glaze, n=
o
iron molecules to excite. Must have been water absorption. Ouch. Mug in
trash!
...judy
Smooth and Smoky group show through October 16
Vessels Gallery
www.motzkin.com
Judy Motzkin Studio
7 tufts street
cambridge MA 02139
617.547.5513
Blog: Projects
Ron Roy on mon 17 oct 11
Hi MJ,
I think using your own pots is a good way to determine if they are fit
for use.
If anyone needs to test to see if their ware will heat up in a
microwave the test is simple:
Put any empty pot in a microwave oven along with a cup of water.
Microwave on high 10 seconds at a time - reaching in every 10 seconds
to feel if the pot is getting too hot to touch. When the water starts
to boil - if you pot is still not too hot to touch I don't see a
problem.
One word of warning - water boiled in a microwave can become super hot
and not show any bubbles - it can explode if knocked or when something
like a tea bag is added.
RR
Quoting Personal Gmail :
> Hi, what porcelain do you use? I have not found any that are
> translucent at cone 6.
>
> I had a customer ask me yesterday if my bowls were microwave safe
> and I said I could not verify that they meet every aspect of
> microwave safe as I do not have a team and lab to do testing to make
> that statement. I do put mine in the microwave with no issues so far.
>
> What do smalltime potters say when asked this question.
>
> I see potters who have signs saying microwave safe, oven safe and
> dishwasher safe. What standards do these terms imply?
>
> Thx in advance. MJ
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Oct 15, 2011, at 1:56 PM, Patty Kaliher wrote=
:
>
>> I seems to me that some bowls and mugs with high iron content glazes get
>> hotter in the microwave than those without.
>> My husband finds his microwave oatmeal will boil over in one of my bowls=
,
>> dark brown, and not in the other, light blue. Both are the same size an=
d
>> are v shaped. He prepares his oatmeal the exact same way each morning. =
I
>> wouldn't touch the stuff. The dark brown bowl is hotter on the outside =
than
>> other bowls used the same way. My bowls are cone 6 porcelain fired to
>> witness cone 6 with a hold at the top and fired down. When thin enough =
this
>> clay is translucent when fired so I know the clay is vitrified. I have =
a
>> couple of mugs in my collection that get super hot on the outside heated=
in
>> the microwave. I think the iron in the glaze, which is magnetic like wat=
er,
>> may be affected by the microwave.
>>
>> Is this plausible?
>>
>> Patty Kaliher
>
David Woof on tue 18 oct 11
I think enough technical good has been said regarding water=3D2C iron=3D2C =
poro=3D
sity etc=3D2C=3D20
but we also really need to be conscious of the legal interpretation of the =
=3D
safety assurances regarding our work that we state.=3DA0=3D20
How would the court or a jury view some of the promises and statements we m=
=3D
ake if a suit were filed.
Not picking to single you out Tig but a good point is raised by your words.=
=3D
=3DA0=3D20
Tig says: <"I tell my customers that none of the toxic substances are used =
=3D
in the making of my pottery">=3D20
<"When a customer is examining my pottery=3D2C the most-often asked=3D20
question is=3D2C "Is it microwave safe? Dishwasher safe?" I=3D2C of course=
=3D20
certify that it is=3D2C that I have done extensive testing in using and=3D2=
0
washing my own wares before offering them to the public-at-large.">
How can anyone know this? How long is your list of substances universally a=
=3D
ccepted as toxic?
How could you support the statements and certifications you make if anythin=
=3D
g became a legal issue?=3DA0=3D20
What proof do you have that you believe what you say=3D2C or that you likel=
y =3D
would not have said what you are accused of saying?
In this increasingly litigious world one is cruising for a legal bruising b=
=3D
y talking to much and not thinking about the possible ways our words will b=
=3D
e understood by the consumer and arguable in a court of law when someone br=
=3D
ings a suit against you because of their misinterpretation of one's well in=
=3D
tended advice.
People who typically sue over these matters are folks who don't make a pers=
=3D
onal connection between responsibility and consequences: and so take no res=
=3D
ponsibility for the out come of their actions and as such are unconscious l=
=3D
iars.=3DA0 By the time they get to court the rehearsal of these lies to sel=
f =3D
are fixed as outraged fact in their minds and it will be a field day for al=
=3D
l in court except you.
Get what you wish your customers to know about your work into written form =
=3D
to be printed in a brochure. And working with a creative attorney=3D2C one =
ca=3D
n craft this in a non scary form that will give your clients confidence and=
=3D
accurate information and still protect you with a defensible position shou=
=3D
ld you need it.=3D20
Of course do your research and have your facts in order. Then when accused=
=3D
=3D3B you can first duck behind the shelter of your brochure as your public=
s=3D
tatement. Unless they have recorded you blathering on and on...you have the=
=3D
high ground and your attorney has something to work with.
When folks ask: A short list in the brochure of commonly asked questions an=
=3D
d
concise factual answers is where you can direct their attention and
these serve as protective "crib notes" to keep you on track as well.=3D20
It also indicates to them that you are a concerned professional who has put=
=3D
time=3D2C
thought=3D2C money and effort into serving their interests.
If your materials supplier can certify and attest to something as non toxic=
=3D
or safe when used properly one can defer to them.
I never certify anything.=3DA0 I will not state more than that 'I use and c=
ar=3D
e for my pots in the commonly accepted ways in question but that I do not a=
=3D
dvise others to do so'
If this is said with a pleasant but "you know what I mean" eye communicatio=
=3D
n=3D2C they get it and then I direct their attention to the Q&A in my broch=
ur=3D
e.
If they don't "get it" they are trouble in the making=3D2C so point them ov=
er=3D
toward the ugly pots with scratchy bottoms booth.=3D20
Even if one works as a part timer=3D2C a Hobbyist=3D2C or whatever=3D2C one=
can s=3D
trive to professionalism in ethics=3D2C personal growth through life=3D2C i=
n co=3D
ntinuing education=3D2C and staying on top of where the technical informati=
on=3D
=3D2C attitudes and beliefs are today. This is a life lived!!!
David Woof
_______________________________________________________
Posted by: "Tig Dupr=3DE9" tigdupre@MSN.COM
Date: Sat Oct 15=3D2C 2011 10:30 am ((PDT))
When a customer is examining my pottery=3D2C the most-often asked question =
is=3D
=3D2C "Is it microwave safe? Dishwasher safe?" I=3D2C of course certify tha=
t it=3D
is=3D2C that I have done extensive testing in using and washing my own war=
es=3D
before offering them to the public-at-large.
As it turns out=3D2C the term "microwave safe" is ambiguous=3D2C with no re=
al i=3D
ndustry standard definition. Good Housekeeping magazine did some independen=
=3D
t testing and found that some major brands of factory-made pottery have som=
=3D
e problems with leaching=3D2C and some problems with heat transfer to the c=
on=3D
tainer.
The article may be found here:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/consumer-protection/microwa=
=3D
ve-safe-investigation
A Good Housekeeping on-line survey of 1=3D2C132 respondents showed that som=
e =3D
considered the phrase to mean that toxins will not leach into food=3D2C whi=
le=3D
others felt that the dish wouldn't get too hot to the touch=3D2C and still=
o=3D
thers thought that the item wouldn't break in the microwave oven.
The Good Housekeeping testing showed that some mugs leached amounts of arse=
=3D
nic=3D2C lead=3D2C or cadmium=3D2C but the amounts were within amounts allo=
wed by=3D
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
I tell my customers that none of the toxic substances are used in the makin=
=3D
g of my pottery=3D2C and that I use a neutral liner glaze on most food-bear=
in=3D
g surfaces--plates being the only exception. As for the pot getting hot in =
=3D
the microwave=3D2C I figure that is a normal condition=3D2C as the food in =
the =3D
pot is getting hot=3D2C transferring the heat to the surface of the contain=
er=3D
. I caution them to use common precautions when handling hot pots. Use a po=
=3D
t holder.
Taking the personal position of Forrest Gump=3D2C "Stupid is as stupid does=
."=3D
If someone puts a mug of coffee in the microwave to re-heat it=3D2C and se=
ts=3D
the timer on 10 minutes=3D2C the pot will get very hot=3D2C indeed. Water =
boil=3D
s at 212 degrees F (100 degrees C)=3D2C and the heat will transfer to the m=
ug=3D
. As for the leaching of colorants=3D2C we've all discussed the practical l=
im=3D
its of copper=3D2C cobalt=3D2C iron=3D2C manganese=3D2C and others=3D2C and=
Ron Roy a=3D
nd John Hesselberth have done extensive testing of glaze limits=3D2C publis=
he=3D
d in their work=3D2C "Mastering Cone Six Glazes."
I usually make some light remark along the lines of=3D2C "Why would I wish =
to=3D
harm my customers?" Still=3D2C some people require the reassurance that th=
ey=3D
aren't going to keel over dead by using hand-made pottery. I figure that h=
=3D
and-made is better than factory made because we are our own best quality co=
=3D
ntrol board.
Just my thoughts=3D2C
Tig Dupre
in sunny Port Orchard=3D2C WA
=3D
Lee on wed 19 oct 11
On Sat, Oct 15, 2011 at 11:59 AM, Tig Dupr=3DE9 wrote:
> I usually make some light remark along the lines of, "Why
>would I wish to harm my customers?" =3DA0Still, some people
>require the reassurance that they aren't going to keel over
> dead by using hand-made pottery.
I am lucky in having a pretty well educated customer base.
Usually, what folks are asking for is a common sense response, and not
technical specs.
--
=3DA0Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
=3DA0"Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D9=
7that is, =3D
"The
land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
within itself." -- John O'Donohue
MJ on thu 20 oct 11
Hello - It would be wonderful to see the kind of language that people have
come up with to address these questions. I have frankly told people that I
am a very small business and I cannot hire labs, etc. to do enough testing
to make certifications like that. I certainly do the very best I can to
make sure that I am selling a good and safe product, but with all the
variables including customer use, nothing is 100 percent safe. I am very
new to selling my pottery and it is on a small scale. I have worked hard t=
=3D
o
make sure my pots are finished and truly ready for sale. I don't know how
much an attorney would cost to come up with answers that would address the
issue without scaring anyone - but it seems to me that we are all dealing
with the same or at least similar issues - so why not share that expense?
Do a lot of people have a FAQ brochure?
Thanks in advance for any help. Cheers, MJ
On Wed, Oct 19, 2011 at 7:55 AM, Lee wrote:
> On Sat, Oct 15, 2011 at 11:59 AM, Tig Dupr=3DE9 wrote:
>
> > I usually make some light remark along the lines of, "Why
> >would I wish to harm my customers?" Still, some people
> >require the reassurance that they aren't going to keel over
> > dead by using hand-made pottery.
>
> I am lucky in having a pretty well educated customer base.
> Usually, what folks are asking for is a common sense response, and not
> technical specs.
>
> --
> Lee Love in Minneapolis
> http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
>
> "Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D97t=
hat is, =3D
"The
> land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
> within itself." -- John O'Donohue
>
Lee on fri 21 oct 11
On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 11:08 PM, wrote:
> Hi Lee,
>
> I use a whetstone to smooth the base of my pots too -- one more >time, as=
=3D
I've seen to it upon unloading kiln -- as you mention. It's a >nice touch =
=3D
to add to the sale before I wrap it up in tissue paper and >then bag it.
Craig Edwards introduced me to these electroplated diamond hand
blocks. They are used to polish granite. I sometimes use the whet
stones, but I use these diamond pads too. They are good for taking
the oxide coating off of pots in anagma firings (I use 80/200/400:)
http://www.toolocity.com/diamond-hand-pads-electro.aspx
--
=3DA0Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
=3DA0"Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D9=
7that is, =3D
"The
land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
within itself." -- John O'Donohue
Dinah Snipes Steveni on sat 22 oct 11
Hi Lee,
I use a whetstone to smooth the base of my pots too -- one more time, as I'=
ve seen to it upon unloading kiln -- as you mention. It's a nice touch to a=
dd to the sale before I wrap it up in tissue paper and then bag it.
This microwave query is interesting to me, as I do have a "food-safe" note =
on my market info. When folks have asked I always respond that I don't hav=
e a microwave, and what you do with my ware after you get it home is up to =
you and ultimately out of my hands -- don't freeze something in one of my p=
ots and then bung it into a hot oven. And I say please be careful with pots=
when you're microwaving various contents in them. Use Oven Mitts I say. Ju=
st blabbing on actually. I don't think putting pots in microwave is useful;=
actually, I always think: would I put my Harry Davis casserole in the micr=
owave? No. My Geoffrey Whiting teapots. No. My Dame Lucie Rie cup and sauce=
r. No. So. You folks out there trying to make a sale with tenuous connectio=
ns for " microwave safe" need to just say "I don't know."
Dinah
Mount Vernon, WA.
www.dinahsnipessteveni.com
www.dinahsnipessteveni.wordpress.com
"To obtain a certain thing, you have to become a certain person."
Zen Buddhist saying
Lee on sat 22 oct 11
On Sat, Oct 22, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Lis Allison wrote:
> Come on, now. Some of us are making tableware, for daily use, and
> microwaves are a fact of daily life. I actually tell people that using a
> pottery dish to microwave food in means they don't have to waste plastic
> wrap or paper towels.
Yeah, not to mention the carcinogens that can leak out of plastics in
the microwave.
> The lids on the bowls also mean they can just pop
> leftovers in the fridge, =3DA0again, no plastic wrap.
Jean found, at the dollar store, these covers that look like small
shower caps that we use on pottery bowls for storage. The are
reusable, and our originals are a couple years old and still going
strong.
>
> People pretty well know that if you put a cup of tea in the 'nuker' and
> cook it on high for 5 minutes, you will burn your paws.
I warm my milk for my coffee in my Linda Christensen "Coffee Bowl"
every morning for 30 seconds.
--
=3DA0Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
=3DA0"Ta tIr na n-=3DF3g ar chul an tI=3D97tIr dlainn trina ch=3DE9ile"=3D9=
7that is, =3D
"The
land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
within itself." -- John O'Donohue
Lis Allison on sat 22 oct 11
On October 22, 2011, Dinah Snipes Steveni wrote:
>You folks out there trying to make a sale with tenuous connections
> for " microwave safe" need to just say "I don't know."
Come on, now. Some of us are making tableware, for daily use, and
microwaves are a fact of daily life. I actually tell people that using a
pottery dish to microwave food in means they don't have to waste plastic
wrap or paper towels. The lids on the bowls also mean they can just pop
leftovers in the fridge, again, no plastic wrap.
People pretty well know that if you put a cup of tea in the 'nuker' and
cook it on high for 5 minutes, you will burn your paws.
Lis
--
Elisabeth Allison
Pine Ridge Studio
website: www.pine-ridge.ca
Pottery blog: www.studio-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
Garden blog: www.garden-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
jeanne wood on sun 23 oct 11
Hi Lee,
I have been using "Medieval Seran Wrap" for pot covers in the fridge.
Linen that has been dipped in bees wax and then quickly removed and the wax=
=3D
smoothed while it's still warm.
=3DC2=3DA0It can be fit over pots and then re-used multiple times.
Some of the information I found said that was what was used for apothecary =
=3D
jars. They also used parchment, which is not as easily obtained as linen du=
=3D
ring this modern time.
~Jeanne Wood
(Hi Des)
--- On Sat, 10/22/11, Lee wrote:
From: Lee
Subject: Re: Microwave safe?
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Saturday, October 22, 2011, 9:22 PM
On Sat, Oct 22, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Lis Allison wrote:
> Come on, now. Some of us are making tableware, for daily use, and
> microwaves are a fact of daily life. I actually tell people that using a
> pottery dish to microwave food in means they don't have to waste plastic
> wrap or paper towels.
Yeah, not to mention the carcinogens that can leak out of plastics in
the microwave.
> The lids on the bowls also mean they can just pop
> leftovers in the fridge, =3DC2=3DA0again, no plastic wrap.
Jean found, at the dollar store, these covers that look like small
shower caps that we use on pottery bowls for storage.=3DC2=3DA0 The are
reusable, and our originals are a couple years old and still going
strong.
>
> People pretty well know that if you put a cup of tea in the 'nuker' and
> cook it on high for 5 minutes, you will burn your paws.
=3DC2=3DA0 =3DC2=3DA0 I warm my milk for my coffee in my Linda Christensen =
"Coffee =3D
Bowl"
every morning for 30 seconds.
--
=3DC2=3DA0Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/
=3DC2=3DA0"Ta tIr na n-=3DC3=3DB3g ar chul an tI=3DE2=3D80=3D94tIr dlainn t=
rina ch=3DC3=3DA9i=3D
le"=3DE2=3D80=3D94that is, "The
land of eternal youth is behind the house, a beautiful land fluent
within itself." -- John O'Donohue
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