How to Prevent Pottery Clay from Cracking While Drying

I’m going to share with you some of the reasons why clay cracks and how to prevent them from happening. The Tools, Supplies and Links in the video are listed down below in the 👇SHOW MORE SECTION👇
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🎯Disclosure:
Some of these links go to my website potterycrafters.com and some are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
🎯As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sponsored videos and brand-sponsored content on this channel will be clearly disclosed within the videos and/or descriptions.
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🔷Tools and Supplies Used in The Video🔷
✅ Amaco #11 A mix Stoneware White Clay
geni.us/hZeg (Blick)
✅ Amaco No. 48 High fire Stoneware Clay with grog
geni.us/7ZXR (Blick)
✅ Porcelain Paper Clay
geni.us/JkOeu (Blick)
✅ Clear Trash Bags
geni.us/eWPF (Amazon)
✅ Stackable Containers (Amazon)
geni.us/dE7SZ
✅ Stainless Steel Wire Rack
geni.us/uFDI (Amazon)
✅ 4-Tier Greenhouse
geni.us/aGT12 (Amazon)
✅ Mudtools Polymer Rib
geni.us/scH7K (Amazon) (Blick)
✅ Kemper Needle Tool
geni.us/idLXml (Amazon) (Blick)
✅ Brent Model CXC Power Wheel
geni.us/VFbap (Amazon) (Blick)
✅ 818-3 Skutt Kiln
geni.us/GCrzBDK (Blick)
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❓ Question
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[@ankesander-meyers3714]

Thanks!

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you, Anke for your support!

[@dannara1014]

your voice is very comforting

[@KatAtkinson]

Great video. Had to come back and rewatch when I wasn't so tired. Hope you are doing well! As always I learn so much from your videos

[@PotteryCrafters]

Awesome! Thank you, Kat 😍 I hardly ever get cracks, so I had to save that one for my article and video. I did not compress the bottom on that planter. That's what I got for being complacent. 😊

[@christolmet1660]

This is great. Thank you so much for the video ❤️

[@PotteryCrafters]

You are so welcome!

[@mrjsaul]

You seem very sweet and thoughtful. Thanks for sharing this.

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you Mr.JS You are so welcome.

[@tarotaddicts4695]

You are brilliant, I love the way you examined things, endless knowledge and experience. Thank you!

[@PotteryCrafters]

Wow, thank you! And you are very welcome 😍

[@nedajafari5789]

Thank u very much ! Im a begginer! N this video is so helpful 💓

[@PotteryCrafters]

Hi Neda. You're so welcome! Glad to help you on your pottery crafting journey. Here is a link to over 100 videos for you to choose from. kzbin.infovideos If you need more information you can go to potterycrafters.com Let's stay dirty! 😊

[@brokenredflag]

Loved the video. Very usful!!

[@PotteryCrafters]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you 😊

[@lorettaenglerth1361]

Thank you for your information

[@PotteryCrafters]

You are most welcome Loretta.

[@wwpetko-6760]

I'm a beginner and your videos are the BEST! Thank you!

[@PotteryCrafters]

Hi! Thank you. Welcome to the wonderful world of crafting pottery. I'm glad I can help you on your fun creative journey.

[@awakeningsauce6887]

Ok so this is all I needed to do? So that's why my clay brick was crack

[@vickivanriel6860]

Great information Thank you

[@PotteryCrafters]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much Vicki 😍

[@masoncreationsetc]

Great video Marie. I have a little trouble with cracking sometimes. This helped. Thanks 😊

[@PotteryCrafters]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you 😍

[@xm3364]

Thank you for the in-depth explanation of clay cracking and ways to prevent it. I love using shoe boxes to dry my items slowly. As I am attached to a studio, there are a lot of movements and users in the room, so I feel safe with my green wares to be kept away from being disturbed. 😅😁

[@PotteryCrafters]

You're welcome. That's a great idea. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@deanatankersley6851]

I do love grog, earthenware, and paperclay. Thanks so much..for those shrinking percentages. 😉😍

[@PotteryCrafters]

You are most welcome! 😊🤗

[@deanatankersley6851]

I have just found your channel, and love it. Your calm manner with knowledgeable experience is so comforting. I love this info, as we all know how disappointing cracks can be. Such valuable..Great tips.. Thanks so much for sharing.😍😊

[@PotteryCrafters]

That is great. Thank you, Deana 🤗 In case you don't know, I do have over 100 videos for you to choose from and a website that may help with any problems you may encounter. Here are the links for you potterycrafters.com/ kzbin.infovideos If you have any questions, feel free to ask. 😍

[@amrs54]

Thank you!

[@PotteryCrafters]

You're welcome!

[@marilynjackson5752]

This was so helpful. I'm having cracking problems during firing with flat pieces that have raised decorations. I think turning them over during drying might help.🙏

[@PotteryCrafters]

If you have time let me know how it turns out. I check my comments once a day 💖

[@Jormungandr633]

I like to use ground charcoal with sand for grog because it also makes the pottery more insulating after fire. But it also makes it more porous (I also like that for certain uses but I understand why others wouldn’t)

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you for the tip. 😊

[@janetwilson1861]

Marie - As always, great info. I'll have to try turning the pottery over every day or two (or if you're in Phoenix, AZ like me, every half-day 🙂). When I have really thick slabs, I will also place newspapers in between the slab and my boards to help draw out the moisture. Thank you.

[@PotteryCrafters]

You're welcome, Janet. Yes, I newspapers and ware boards when I make my cookies. It stops them from warping and helps them dry evenly.

[@Triharyanto1968]

Thank you very much

[@PotteryCrafters]

You are welcome Trie

[@yourbeamofsunshine]

Thank you.

[@PotteryCrafters]

You're welcome! 😊

[@yazeedzailaee7215]

Your voice is so calming ❤. I wanted to ask about drying human size clay sculpture (from the chest up) on a pedestal. Most of the parts are uneven and thickness varies. I use a mister (humidifier) and damp towels to keep the the sculptor untreated so I can have more time to shape it before it dries. After 3 weeks when I was done, it cracked after 5 days of AC drying in my cold bedroom. Any advice?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Wow that's cool. So sorry to hear it cracked. I don't know what type of clay you are using but clay with grog helps a lot. Plus did you cover the sculpture with plastic to let it dry slowly? Just lay the plastic over the piece to still allow air in from the bottom. Then every day uncover for a few hours and cover again. because the piece is so big you should cover it for a about a week. Here is a in-depth article that should help. potterycrafters.com/prevent-pottery-clay-from-cracking-while-drying/

[@TheUltimateAcres]

Great tips. #Keepupthegreatwork

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you! Will do! 😊👍

[@carolinaelizabethart]

Will you please let me know what kiln you have? Thank you so much for all the wonderful information!

[@PotteryCrafters]

It is the Skutt 818 with 3 inch bricks (more energy efficient) here is the link for you to check it out geni.us/GCrzBDK You're welcome Carolina.

[@carolinaelizabethart]

@@PotteryCrafters thank you. 🥰I watched your studio video and saw that. 😁I’m sorry.

[@PotteryCrafters]

That's wonderful Carolina. Nothing to be sorry about . All questions are welcome 😊

[@czenekitti]

Köszönjük!

[@PotteryCrafters]

Köszönöm a segítségét 😊

[@elisaflores9846]

Hello! I'm new to pottery and have found your videos to be easily understood, thank you. I have a question. Maybe this is a silly question? I don't have a kiln, do I need one to avoid cracking?

[@PotteryCrafters]

That is wonderful. Thank you Elisa No question is silly. If your clay dries totally without cracking chances are high that it will not crack. I think this post will help answer your question about needing a kiln. here is the link for you potterycrafters.com/do-you-need-a-kiln-to-glaze-pottery/ If you have any more questions feel free to ask. 😊

[@elisaflores9846]

@@PotteryCrafters wow, your website is genius. Thank you!

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you so much Elisa. If there is any topic you would like me to write about let me know. All suggestions are welcome.

[@AmberLovesPlants]

Hi there!! Thanks for sharing all your info with us. I have a question. Why would a piece crack during the glaze firing? I made a spoon and after bisque no signs of a crack. After glazing I had a hairline crack. Any information would be so helpful. Thank you.

[@PotteryCrafters]

You are most welcome Amber. Yes cracks can happen during a glaze firing but they are not as frequent. It can happen when the clay is weak in that spot but doesn't crack until the second firing. Also if the glaze doesn't dry completely moisture can get trapped in the pours of the clay and expand during firing and cause cracking. 😊

[@AmberLovesPlants]

Thank you so much for helping me and others out!! Your the best!! @@PotteryCrafters

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you Amber 😊

[@Atliermia]

Compressed, compressed and slow drying ...just be patient.. When you find un lucky situation, find hair line crack...try to filling same body clay with bit of vinegar mixed and Smudge in and Bisque it. (When dry)... in my case, it’s works,

[@PotteryCrafters]

Yes thank you Mia. If I should have mentioned that if you do get a crack you can use this recipe for slip that I use to join clay pieces together. I received the recipe from Martha Grover at Clay Con West in January. The recipe is in Question #5 of slip questions - here is the link for you - potterycrafters.com/21-pottery-clay-slip-questions-answered/ 😊

[@cactusjuice-zu1xf]

Thank you for your help I think my clay mask might not crack this time

[@PotteryCrafters]

You’re welcome 😊That is great to hear!

[@MEM2022]

If I’m hand building a mug can I attach the handle right away to the mug? I see that right on 8:49 you are saying to wait until it’s leather hard but does the clay gets leather hard right away? Or should I wait until the next day? And in the meantime while I’m waiting should I cover both pieces with a plastic? I felt a bit confused

[@PotteryCrafters]

Great question. It's recommended to attach handles at the leather hard stage because your handle will be able to stay up on its own. With that said, I attach more during the soft leather hard stage. As long as you're handle stays up on its own, you can attach your handle.

[@livingwomanamanda2354]

Thank you for posting this video. Does the ambient temperature make a difference to drying speed? I’m currently in New Zealand where it is over 30 degrees Celsius and almost 95% humidity in my area.

[@PotteryCrafters]

You are most welcome. That is a very good question. I live in the desert, and I have to be careful not to dry my pottery too fast. Your climate will take longer to dry and have less chance of cracking the clay. This is a good thing, but you still want to make sure your clay dries evenly, so make sure you turn for pottery. 😊

[@livingwomanamanda2354]

Thanks for your reply! It’s a little tricky for me to turn my pieces as they are mostly sculptures! My issue is the lower part of the piece drying while I am still working on the top, I slab build usually so they are hollow and use a heat gun to dry it off enough to support the head etc. I wrap gently in plastic and keep the lower part covered most of the time to try and even the drying out, but I’ve still had pieces crack 😢

[@PotteryCrafters]

I talked with a few of my potter friends who make taller pieces, and they suggested using support forms to keep the clay up because the heat gun may be putting pressure on the clay particles and causing cracks. 😊🤞

[@livingwomanamanda2354]

Oh, thank you so much for doing that! That makes a lot of sense. 😊

[@donnadeegee2003]

At first it sounded like you said, "You can make your own damn box".

[@PotteryCrafters]

That's funny! 😂

[@olgamaughan7744]

I like to make plates, but sometimes they are brittle when dry and break easily. Am I doing something wrong?

[@PotteryCrafters]

I think it is the clay you are using. I would try a different clay body. Clay with Grog does help to prevent cracks. 😊

[@nancyhartshorne6491]

I've known potters who've dried their ware in the sun outside on hot days. Wouldn't this risk cracking because of uneven drying?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Yes, it does. There are potters that do this and get away with it. We don't know what clay body they use or how they handle their clay. I will not risk it. 😊

[@ixchelssong]

I worked in a pottery studio, and we would only occasionally dry anything outside in the sun. And it would only ever be very small pieces

[@PotteryCrafters]

Thank you for sharing.

[@swarnimavijaywargi7918]

¹h4

[@tnlpottery4294]

I am finally able to use my kiln and have done 3 glaze firing. What I have noticed is that I am getting pinholes. I do a slow bisque at 04 and a slow glaze at 6. They are easy fire programs on my new L&L kiln. I leave the peepholes the entire time and only open when it gets down to 200 degrees F. What should be my first step to resolve this in my next glaze fire? Thank you so much for all your informational videos.

[@PotteryCrafters]

You're welcome. Instead of firing to cone 6, you can try firing to cone 5 and place a 20-minute hold at the end. I rarely get pinholes doing it this way. This article may also help. Here is the link for you. potterycrafters.com/what-causes-pinholes-in-pottery-glaze/ 😊

[@tnlpottery4294]

@@PotteryCrafters thank you

[@shelleydoxtdator753]

I just made a slab planter - 10”h x 8”w - let it dry really slow for a few weeks - but when I bisqued it, it had a hairline crack. Can I fix it before a glaze firing? Cone 6

[@PotteryCrafters]

You could try bisque fix, but the hairline cracks may turn into larger cracks when you glaze fire. You can take a chance or start over. Like the planter in the video, I did not compress my clay. Fortunately, it rarely happens. I had to save that pot for the video and article because it was the only cracked pot I could use as an example. 🤗 Did you smooth out your clay and flip your clay over when using the slab roller? Or use clay with grog?

[@shelleydoxtdator753]

Yes I did compress both sides. What is “ bisque fix”?

[@shelleydoxtdator753]

Clay with grog? Recyclable clay?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Bisque fix can fix cracks in your bisqued pottery. Here is the link for you to check it out geni.us/a9DlVT7 😊

[@PotteryCrafters]

Good questions. All clay is recyclable. Here is a video for an easy, less messy way to do it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXm2pX-jlq90eq8 Grog gives your clay more stability and less shrinkage rate to help prevent cracking. here is a link to a clay with grog geni.us/7ZXR 😊

[@rewanmohy8675]

Can I dry greenware pottery in the oven ?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Hi Rewan. I don't do it. But I have heard some potters do to speed up the process, especially if they live in a more humid climate.

[@sylviefeys744]

I bouth a greenhouse. Works well 🙂

[@PotteryCrafters]

I would like to get one of those also. 😊

[@ecburt5046]

Can you fix cracks in your pottery?

[@PotteryCrafters]

Good question. You can try getting the area wet with a sponge and filling in the crack with clay. You will have a 50/50 chance of it working. It worked several times for me. Most of the time I just have to start over. You can try bisque fix if you fired your clay and it cracked. here is the link for you to check out. geni.us/yoi3q