Reclaiming Clay without a Pugmill Part 1 Managing Your Reclaim Buckets

[@jsud5559]

Thanks so much!! I am always at a loss concerning reclaiming my clay. The “plaster sink” is ingenious.

[@teresaten-westeneind5980]

Thank you! Great info… very helpful!

[@sheilacaplan8541]

I have been using this method in my home studio for decades! A turkey baster is a handy gadget for draining off excess water - easy on your back when buckets are heavy. I also find that toolings can get pretty soft and mushy if they go right into a bucket with some water, rather than waiting to dry out; a little stir blends them up quickly.

[@jiveblue6956]

No

[@thebrightsidepotteryandbonsai]

You are hard core Beth! Nive video on a subject that is crucial!

[@turningbullpottery9791]

Ah, thanks Chris!

[@edstud1]

Great video!

[@katedubinski6234]

This is so helpful, thanks Beth!!

[@corienbuitenhuis3625]

This is great!

[@8pprentice]

A small amount ofPolysporin antibiotic ointment also kills the stink.

[@24Mumble]

Solid advice

[@turningbullpottery9791]

Thanks Brendan!

[@dexterharding8867]

I've got a dozen bags of 40 lb sausages of bone dry clay I was given by a retired potter. It is the right cone clay for me. Is it worth recycling. i guess so. Do I have to bash up the mega sausages before I soak them?

[@turningbullpottery9791]

Hey there. They will slake down faster if you smash them up before submerging them. Is it worth recycling? Well depends how much time you have on your hands - if you work a bit of recycling into your studio practice each day it becomes more manageable. Good luck!

[@dorothystone5232]

Is it normal for the wet stuff to get real stinky? How can this be avoided?

[@CricketsBay]

The smell is because of the mold. Clay molds just like leftover food left in the refrigerator too long. Pouring a little bleach in the bucket prevents the mold.

[@ErikBongers]

The "needs to be bone dry" is interesting. Yesterday I placed a years old sculpted head (life-size, solid clay) half submerged in bucket. In no time, cracks started to form on the half that was above the waterline. In an hour or so, the thing stated crumbling like a glacier suffering from climate change. So, I guess "bone dry" means that the clay is porous allowing the clay to behave like a sponge. And just like a sponge, the clay wants to expand, but since it's not flexible, it cracks all over the place allowing more water to enter. Contrary, wet clay is already expanded and 'holds' the water in place. As a result, new water cannot penetrate the wet clay anymore.

[@shelleydoxtdator753]

Could you add your throwing water into bone dry clay also?

[@bethturnbull8138]

Hi, yes, but you want to submerge all of the bone dry clay at once.

[@kevinleong4467]

slurry/slip