Is it safe to burn an earthenware plate?
Q. Is it safe to burn a candle inside an earthenware plate, or hold the plate up to an open flame? It says it's microwave safe, but is it alright for actual fire? I don't want it to melt or release chemicals or something.
Asked by Aurora - Wed Feb 10 18:26:30 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. No problem. It's already been fired (heated in a kiln) at temperatures far higher than your candle.
Answered by pisgahchemist - Wed Feb 10 18:30:53 2010

How can I fix an earthenware Portmerion platter?
Q. We have an earthenware Portmerion 20" turkey platter that was broken into 3 large pieces. Is there a way to fix it? Many thanks, Shari
Asked by ShariB - Thu Jan 21 14:28:18 2010 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. My mom collected Portmeiron for years and a couple of pieces were broken over time. You can glue it if you get a good glue for ceramics and are very careful. Look at the glues for sale at a hardware store for one that is recommended for the material. She had a large plate that broke along one edge and we glued the pieces and then rested it in a box on a layer of dried lentils to support the edge until it dried. We also repaired a bowl and one teacup. Unfortunately, you can still see hairline cracks if you look closely but at least the dishes are usable.
Answered by c_kayak_fun - Thu Jan 21 17:06:55 2010

how do you condition a new earthenware ramekin?
Q. they are only glazed on the top side.
Asked by DEREK B - Sun Jan 6 10:58:11 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Before cooking in your ramekin always soak it in water before use. If you still have the packaging that the ramekin came in it will give you all the details. I just put warm water in mine, let it sit for 1/2 an hour, empty and you're set to go.
Answered by Victoriaaa :) - Sun Jan 6 11:43:18 2008

Would it be safe to smoke out of an earthenware, bone dried bowl that hasn't been glazed?
Q. I made it myself out of clay from my art room. Would there be any health effects?
Asked by Nick Krafchak - Sat Mar 13 12:56:14 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Fire it up! Submerge and rinse it in water for a couple minutes, take it out, let it dry to the touch. Load it and fire it. The quick dip in water will get rid of any dust You will seal the surface of the clay soon with the carbon, resin, tar and other carcinogenics that will not allow any more dust to form. However, you won't be able to clean it properly so after a few times it will become not worth using. The real hazard is from the by products of burning, not dust from clay. Although I do not indulge anymore, I have heard great things about a device called the "Vaporizer", (google it), whereby the combustion process is eliminated and just a water vapor is inhaled posing no ill effects from a combustion process. While silicosis is… [cont.]
Answered by Zarat the ender - Mon Mar 15 10:34:50 2010

How do I remove cooked on marks from my earthenware crock pot/slow cooker?
Q. How do I remove cooked on marks from my earthenware crock pot/slow cooker?
Asked by Christine C - Sun Jan 13 15:50:55 2008 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Depends: 1) Is your ceramic insert glazed (meaning shiny all over?? 2) If the above answer is yes, you might try a product that is near the dishwashing liquid/cleaners put out by Dawn, it's a grease remover that's in a blue small pump aerosol bottle...That's the best besides going to a industrial warehouse store (like Smart and Final) and get an industrial degreaser...I have a Rival Crock Pot with a ceramic insert, and it's jet black, so I never see anything... ;) Christopher
Answered by Christopher K. - Sun Jan 13 16:07:23 2008

Can earthenware dishes be put in the dishwasher?
Q. Can earthenware dishes be put in the dishwasher?
Asked by jpm - Wed May 24 06:39:16 2006 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Only if they are glazed
Answered by lionellelyveld - Wed May 24 06:51:40 2006

i have a sunbeam elect frying pan with a earthenware dish inside of pan,can not find anywhere how to use it?
Q. i have a sunbeam elect frying pan with a earthenware dish inside of pan,can not find anywhere how to use it?
Asked by rickeets - Mon Jun 4 06:42:48 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. by placing the earthenware dish inside your electric frypan, you now can cook cakes and puddings in this. also use it as a crock pot for all day stews, poached fruit like quinces, baked custards and rice puddings, toad in the hole, frittata, better than a dutch oven and gentler to cook in.
Answered by fourplums - Mon Jun 4 07:55:29 2007

Question about an antique earthenware mug?
Q. It has a picture of the old Hartford, Conn capital building and the text "State Capitol, Hartford, Conn." It also has "Germany" stamped into the bottom along with the marking "436/7"
Asked by polypundit - Sun Dec 16 21:01:18 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. the 436/7 is more than likely the mold number seems to be made in Germany ...they were probably commissioned to make them for the capital. they were more than likely some type of a premium give away, or used as gifts for VIP's.
Answered by grannybce - Sun Dec 16 23:01:27 2007

Long story short my boss wants me to sell his antique Thai Earthenware Sacrificial Jars. So where can I do it?
Q. Long story short my boss wants me to sell his antique Thai Earthenware Sacrificial Jars. So where can I do it?
Asked by Kim V - Mon Feb 2 16:28:01 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. antique store,or ebay
Answered by Charles M - Mon Feb 2 16:35:53 2009

Working with earthenware?
Q. Okay, I'm currently throwing with earthenware clay, and it tends to get really slippy (slimy) and collapse. Does anyone have an suggestions on how to avoid this?
Asked by Liv - Thu Apr 24 23:37:26 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Yep. Make sure you wedge properly in order to get the "spiral" needed for your throwing. Make sure to center quickly and use delicate pressure. Working the clay too much will cause it to collapse. Use a metal rib tool or rubber kidney tool to steady or trim the wall. Also, use less water...really makes the clay too mushy.
Answered by SquirrelTail - Thu Apr 24 23:49:08 2008

Glazing earthenware question?
Q. Today in ceramics I accidentally glazed a dried piece before the first firing. What will happen? Will it work or just fall apart?
Asked by america #1 - Fri Feb 5 14:19:07 2010 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. actually some people glaze and bisque fire at the same time to save on energy. I've heard it is a bit more risky, but that involves a lot that the pot can break much more easily when applying glaze. It does not mean that it needs to fail. I guess ideally it would get into a glaze firing with the temperature brought up a bit slower. But it is essentially up to the person firing the kiln whether they want to include it or whether they think it is too risky that it breaks and damages other things. Usually for bisque firing clay items are held for a while below boiling point of water to make sure they are completely dry before bringing up temperature. You could probably make sure that all water is gone by putting it into an oven.
Answered by tigri - Fri Feb 5 16:25:31 2010

Is cast iron cookware safe to use after having been through a house fire?
Q. My mother's vintage home burned recently... it had solid pine car siding on the interior walls and ceilings. Anything that wasn't consumed by the fire was left coated with a mixture of black soot and pine oil that cooked out of the car siding. It was a particularly hot fire since her home also had a solid tin roof and that held the fire and heat in rather than allowing it to burn through and vent out. The fire was so hot that even the china and earthenware dishes incinerated turning to a powder. So I am concerned that the cast iron she salvaged might be contaminated. It is porous and I am concerned that it might have absorbed chemicals from the fire that would be at best unpleasant if they seeped into her food and at worst might be… [cont.]
Asked by Andy... - Mon Sep 24 15:58:33 2007 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Cast iron is not porous. It does not absorb contaminants. What you need to do is make certain that the surface is clean. That means heavy-duty scrubbing with a brillo pad. If you have a dishwasher, run the pans through several times. After that, I recommend rust remover, like naval jelly. Finally, rub it all over with vegetable oil, let it sit overnight, and then wash with soap and water. This kind of cleaning is kind of sad, because old cast iron cookware is usually well-seasoned, and it takes many years to do that. The methods I just described will destroy the seasoning. But the seasoning is the part that might hold contaminants. To season the pan again, never use soap on it and and rub cooking oil on the inside before you… [cont.]
Answered by nobodyinparticular - Mon Sep 24 17:03:32 2007

Would it be wrong to ask my childhood friend's future mother in law to break her earthenware vessels?
Q. My childhood friend is getting married at her fiance's large mansion. Her fiance's grandfather died there and the family did not destroy all of the earthenware vessels after he died. (It was 2 years ago) My husband won't let me go unless they destroy them because he is afraid they will use some of the plates and bowls there that should have been broken. I really want to go SOOO bad! Would it be wrong to ask her fiance's parents to break them and buy new so I can go? She is so special to me.
Asked by Little Angel - Fri Feb 9 17:17:21 2007 - - 9 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Um, what does using plates and bowls have to do with anything? Did he die on them or what? Shoot, I don't get it at all. Must be some religious thing.
Answered by The Nana of Nana's - Fri Feb 9 17:20:51 2007

What makes pottery aquarium safe? How do I know if two different types of clays can be blended together?
Q. I am in the process of starting up a small business. I make aquarium ornaments and other decorative pieces out of earthenware. I want to add some color to my work without glaze. I'm considering using two or more types of clay in a single piece. How do i know if two clays can be blended into a single piece? I know it has something to do with the shrinkage rates and grog %. But where do I get this information and exactly how close do two types of clay have to be to be workable together. Also how do I know if a particular clay is aquarium safe. The supplier came right out and told me the first type of clay I used was safe but they aren't being nearly as helpful now for some reason. How do I know if the clay will hold up in water? How do I… [cont.]
Asked by landonwebb - Fri Apr 14 02:52:06 2006 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It sounds like you have a strong begining of knowledge... why do you need to mix the two clays? Any type of clay should work in an aquarium if it has been fired at least to bisque. color without glaze, I take it you don't have means to fire to a high temp... Try underglaze, or mason's stains. The mason stain could wedge right in. It is a powder.
Answered by quintstevenson - Wed Apr 19 23:52:11 2006

How can i stop myself from eating earthenwares?
Q. I often eat earthenwares and want to stop this bad habbit but i like it so much that i'm not able to avoid eating it.I just chew it, spit and after then brush my teeth but then also it is not good for health, isn't it?.Please help me out. Any way or suggestions ?? :(
Asked by E G - Thu Apr 16 04:10:22 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. maybe you have a mineral deficiency which your body tells you by triggering the urge to eat earthenware which contains that specific mineral. some animal species routinely eat clay or dirt to supplement their diet. enjoy!
Answered by vitanimo - Thu Apr 16 04:17:02 2009

what's the best way to get waterstains off plates?
Q. They are plain black plates from Ikea (dinera range I think so they are earthenware). When leaving to dry after washing, flaky white stains have developed that don't rub off and bicarbonate of soda has little effect. I think the water in my area is very bad but would like to clean the plates so they are at least watermark free. Forgot to mention that the stains are really sunk in from leaving the plates the first time. Now when hand drying immediately after washing, the stains are still there.
Asked by anannya s - Tue Feb 27 13:21:57 2007 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Vinegar might do the trick. I'd try it diluted first, but then progressively stronger. Don't worry, after it dries, it won't smell 'vinegar-y". Good luck!
Answered by NEWTOME - Tue Feb 27 13:28:37 2007

How do I prevent clay from cracking as it dries?
Q. Our pottery,especially coil pots, tend to crack as it is drying. Is the clay to wet to start with? Is it drying to quickly? Do I have the wrong kind of clay?(cone 06 earthenware-red and white)
Asked by Mary G - Wed Feb 27 10:43:23 2008 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. In the ceramic class I am taking we do a couple of things. We have some cabinets to put thing in. We also wrap the clay in old grocery bags, sometimes trash bags depending on the size. Occasional some one will use plastic wrap or dry cleaner bags. Occasionally spray the pots with tap water from a mister. I know one person that made a personal damp box. Plastic container with a layer of plaster on the bottom that is kept wet by occasionally pouring water on it.
Answered by plainrsc - Wed Feb 27 13:47:26 2008

About how much will it it cost to get homemade pottery fired, and then glazed fired at a ceramics shop?
Q. Its earthenware. Im sure it depends on where you go, but im just looking for an estimate.
Asked by kacey h - Sat Apr 11 00:14:55 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It's a hard question to answer without knowing more details. It's going to depend on: + How much electricity costs where you are + How big your piece is + What temperature (cone) you're going to fire your piece at + What kind of kiln the studio will let you use (if you can find one who will let you use it) + How much they want to charge for this. You're going to need to rent the whole kiln for the firing, since it's unlikely that they will fire other pieces in there, especially if you didn't get your clay from them. If you're near Philly, The Ceramic Shop charges between $25-75 / firing.
Answered by ChrisP - Sun Apr 12 09:38:36 2009

Words of wisdom on lavender plants?
Q. I just bought two lavender plants and now have them in gallon-size earthenware planters. They're doing well, but I just want to make sure I don't kill them!
Asked by Laura H - Sat Feb 17 17:22:18 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. the key thing to remember about lavender is that it needs excellent drainage. Make sure you have adequate drainage holes in the bottom of your pots. A layer of sharp sand or small gravel a few inches deep at the bottom of the soil will ensure proper drainage. Make sure they get a lot of sunshine (at least 8 hours direct sun a day, 10 is better). Water them regularily, but only if they have adequate drainage. dont fertilize, or fertilize minimally. Keep in mind that earthenware or terra cotta planters dry out faster than plastic or wooden pots. If you live where the winter gets colder than zone 6, you'll have to plant them in the ground at least a month before fall freeze-up; they wont survive winter in a pot in zone 5 and colder.
Answered by mickey - Sat Feb 17 17:39:41 2007

why earthenware pots keep water cool?
Q. why earthenware pots keep water cool?
Asked by fari - Wed Jul 1 14:25:18 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Because the water evaporation that occurs through the pores of the pot takes heat away from the surface. It takes heat to vaporize water. This heat has to come from somewhere. In this case it comes directly from the other connecting molecules of water. Good question! Non-porous container would not reult in net cooling like the clay pot does.
Answered by Favoured - Wed Jul 1 14:41:40 2009