June 6th, 2009 by admin

I just finished with my 3rd crystalline glaze firing in my Monster Kiln. I am now in the process of removing the pedestals and catchers from the bottoms of the pots. This is a very delicate process involving a hammer. Last firing I broke several of my best pots removing them from the catchers. I have read several good tips on how to do this without killing my poor pots. The best have come from a recent discussion on the crystalline glaze forum.

http://s3.excoboard.com/exco/thread.php?forumid=64484&threadid=614684

Porcealain bottle, glaze catcher, and pedestal

Pot has been glued onto pedestal with 50% epk and 50% elmers wood glue

Fired crystalline glazed bottle with .5% cobalt carbonate and 1% copper carbonate. it has not yet been removed from a catcher

This pot has successfully been removed from the catcher

Bottle was broken when i used to much force removing it from pedestal

I now use a torch to heat up the catcher from the bottom.  When the catcher gets hot it  expands.  As the catcher expands it causes thermal shock in the glaze holding the pot to the catcher.  When I hear a small ping I tap the catcher gently with a hammer.  Usually it falls of gracefully.  If this method fails a diamond saw is used to cut the catcher and pot apart.  After the catcher is removed the sharp glaze layer on the bottom of the pot is ground smooth.