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storing cones

updated mon 17 nov 03

 

Elzbieta Sekula on sat 15 nov 03


The question of freezing clay and glazes brought to mind another question. I
don't have problems with freezing since I live far enough south, but do have
quite a bit of humidity summer and winter. Would it hurt to store cones in the
studio or should I bring them inside the house where they won't have any
exposure at all to the humidity?
I couldn't find anything about that in the archives.
Thanks,
Elzbieta

Leland G. Hall on sat 15 nov 03


Good morning group,
Elzbieta asked about storing cones, that message is quoted below.
I too worried about humidity and freezing with regards to cones. All our
kilns are in a large, unheated, three sided shed. It is only 25 yards from
the studio, but I like to save steps whenever possible, so I screwed an old
medicine cabinet to wall inside the kiln shed right above the two electric
kilns, and that is where I keep the cone supply.

We live close to seven thousand foot elevation. Snow. Plenty of freezing
temps. Humidity is low however. This is high desert country. (Well, sort
of, we are in the transition area, where forest meets desert) But still,
this is dry country compared to western Oregon.

My point is, I have never, after years of storing cones this way, had a
problem. I can't say that long term storage of cones in conditions of
extreme high humidity would or would not cause problems, but I am thinking
not? Freezing sure doesn't seem to damage their reliability though.

I have no technical knowledge, just have to try to figure things out on my
own, (or ask Clay-art!) so my guess is, that pyrometric cone are like a
outdoor flower pot, so to speak. Maybe the clay is vitrified so as to be
inpenatrable to moisture, which is why freezing does not bother them. Is
this right? Someone?

Regards,
Leland Hall
Before The Wheel Enterprises
La Pine, OR
Where the darn elk herd I couldn't get close enough too for a shot during
the hunt are back to their old tricks, passing through the back yard every
other morning. (I think they think this is funny. I suppose they're
right.)

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>original
message follows
The question of freezing clay and glazes brought to mind another question. I
don't have problems with freezing since I live far enough south, but do have
quite a bit of humidity summer and winter. Would it hurt to store cones in
the
studio or should I bring them inside the house where they won't have any
exposure at all to the humidity?
I couldn't find anything about that in the archives.
Thanks,
Elzbieta

Jon Brinley on sat 15 nov 03


Hello Elzbieta,
=20
Store your cones in a Ziplock bag. Keeping them their =
will help keep moisture absorption to a minimum. Store them in as dry an =
area as possible. I have even put them in a Tupperware container, with =
one of those silica absorbers that come in cartons of electronic =
equipment.
Hope this helps.

Jon in Midland

----- Original Message -----=20
From: Elzbieta Sekula=20
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=20
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 3:54 AM
Subject: Storing Cones


The question of freezing clay and glazes brought to mind another =
question. I
don't have problems with freezing since I live far enough south, but =
do have
quite a bit of humidity summer and winter. Would it hurt to store =
cones in the
studio or should I bring them inside the house where they won't have =
any
exposure at all to the humidity?
I couldn't find anything about that in the archives.
Thanks,
Elzbieta

=
_________________________________________________________________________=
_____
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at =
melpots@pclink.com.

Jon Brinley on sat 15 nov 03


Leland,=20
I tend to disagree with your statement about moisture not =
affecting the cones. I live in West Central Ga. and can say without =
hesitation that moisture greatly affects the cones around here. I fire =
^6 ox. and ^10. red. and the cones have had mixed reactions in both. =
With that said, I have stored cones in and out of baggies and Tupperware =
and the ones stored out have fired a full cone and half more in =
oxidation. And a cone less in reduction.

This is my experience with this. Yours and others may have had different =
ideas and results.
=20
Jon in Midland =20

----- Original Message -----=20
From: Leland G. Hall=20
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=20
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 7:39 AM
Subject: Storing Cones


Good morning group,
Elzbieta asked about storing cones, that message is quoted below.
I too worried about humidity and freezing with regards to cones. All =
our
kilns are in a large, unheated, three sided shed. It is only 25 yards =
from
the studio, but I like to save steps whenever possible, so I screwed =
an old
medicine cabinet to wall inside the kiln shed right above the two =
electric
kilns, and that is where I keep the cone supply.

We live close to seven thousand foot elevation. Snow. Plenty of =
freezing
temps. Humidity is low however. This is high desert country. (Well, =
sort
of, we are in the transition area, where forest meets desert) But =
still,
this is dry country compared to western Oregon.

My point is, I have never, after years of storing cones this way, had =
a
problem. I can't say that long term storage of cones in conditions of
extreme high humidity would or would not cause problems, but I am =
thinking
not? Freezing sure doesn't seem to damage their reliability though.

I have no technical knowledge, just have to try to figure things out =
on my
own, (or ask Clay-art!) so my guess is, that pyrometric cone are like =
a
outdoor flower pot, so to speak. Maybe the clay is vitrified so as to =
be
inpenatrable to moisture, which is why freezing does not bother them. =
Is
this right? Someone?

Regards,
Leland Hall
Before The Wheel Enterprises
La Pine, OR
Where the darn elk herd I couldn't get close enough too for a shot =
during
the hunt are back to their old tricks, passing through the back yard =
every
other morning. (I think they think this is funny. I suppose they're
right.)

=
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>original
message follows
The question of freezing clay and glazes brought to mind another =
question. I
don't have problems with freezing since I live far enough south, but =
do have
quite a bit of humidity summer and winter. Would it hurt to store =
cones in
the
studio or should I bring them inside the house where they won't have =
any
exposure at all to the humidity?
I couldn't find anything about that in the archives.
Thanks,
Elzbieta

=
_________________________________________________________________________=
_____
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at =
melpots@pclink.com.

Snail Scott on sun 16 nov 03


At 10:39 AM 11/15/03 -0500, you wrote:
>I too worried about humidity and freezing with regards to cones. Maybe the
clay is vitrified so as to be
>inpenatrable to moisture, which is why freezing does not bother them...


Nope, not pre-fired; they'll dissolve in
a puddle of water, but I've never noticed
any atmospheric humidity effects. I keep
mine outside, too, on a shelf, but I live
in the desert.

-Snail