Ways For Drying Clay

Home & Garden / Ngày 22/07/2025

1. Preparation Before Drying

  • Ensure even wall thickness: When shaping pots (either by mold or hand), make sure the walls and base are similar in thickness so they dry evenly.

  • Remove excess surface water: After demolding, use a sponge or trimming knife to smooth edges and allow moisture to escape evenly.

  • Place pots on ventilated racks: Avoid placing them directly on concrete; use pallets or wooden slats to let air circulate under the base.

2. Natural Air Drying Stage

  • Dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent thermal shock.

  • Ideal conditions: Temperature 20–30 °C, humidity 50–60%.

  • Drying time:

    • Small pots: 2–3 days

    • Large pots (≥50 cm): 5–7 days

  • Cover loosely with cloth or thin plastic to slow and even out moisture loss, reducing cracking risk.

3. Heated Drying (Kiln or Drying Room)

For large-scale production, use a drying chamber to shorten time and improve consistency.

  • Start at a low temperature (30–50 °C) for 12–24 hours to allow gentle moisture release.

  • Gradually increase to 80–110 °C over the next 24–48 hours, depending on pot thickness.
    ⚠️ Raise temperature slowly, about 10 °C per hour, to avoid cracking.

  • Moisture check: Pots should reach ≤ 1% moisture content before firing.