The BEST tool you don't need - How to recycle clay

[@Bthospo]

Some folks binge-watch Netflix... I binge-watch your videos! 😂😂😂❤️

[@cathieyoung6537]

OMG me too! I'm a high school ceramics teacher and I'm off sick today, what am I doing? Sleeping? No. Chain watching clay videos!

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Brenda Thosath I’m glad I’m not the only one.

[@Devicis]

I put all of my clay scraps in a bin with a lid and add the water from my wheel buckets with all the slip when I replace it. After a while I take the lid off and let it dry a little, then I place it on a table I made that has a plaster tabletop to finish drying quickly and then I wedge it.

[@saturnlight939]

Smart I love this

[@JJ-rp6fy]

It's a giant playdough press but with blades

[@harryvideo]

I just fill up plastic bags with scraps and when I feel at one with the clay, I wedge it up and use it.

[@glennr9913]

Where do people find the tough bags like clay is sold in? I could use some extra ones.

[@lynnhoffmann3273]

I use the 5 gallon icing buckets from the bakery. Mug/ bucket barter works great and makes a nice friendship with the bakers who appreciate pottery and come back to buy pottery! Anyway... I use the buckets for wheel water and dry scraps. Then dump the goop on canvas then in a plaster bowl mold. Then wedge a few days /week later. Then let sit in another bucket to homogenize. Then use it for throwing big bowls.

[@debzfiedler6100]

Your videos crack me up. Both education and laughter, all in one. Who could ask for anything more?

[@caleydonat1427]

Great videos! I love how you make starting my own in-home studio so approachable. :) I’d love to hear about how you care for yourself and your studio. For example, dry skin and noses in the cold dry weather (that seems to have come very early this year) and how to clean and vent a basement studio, and anything else related to self care and/or studio care. Keep ‘em coming!

[@Jonthepotter]

Those are great ideas, thanks!

[@julieirwin7329]

5 gal bucket with scraps and water. Mix with paint mixer until extremely smooth. Have 3 - 5 gal mesh paint strainers (used for spray painting prep) one inside the other, lining an empty 5 gal bucket. Scoop the mixed clay into the strainers, pull up on the strainers and twist it like a loaf of bread. Once you have all the clay strained spread out on plaster boards. I use the cut and slam method instead of wedging.

[@meast1431]

I really dig your videos! Thank you for all the wisdom you share. I put my scraps and sludge from throwing in a five gallon bucket. When it gets about 3/4 full I mix it with a paint mixer until it is a nice slip consistency. Then I scoop it out and place it in about a 2 inch deep sheet on concrete board to let it dry out some. With in about 3 to 5 days if it’s not sticky I pull it off and try to wedge it.

[@Jonthepotter]

Nice! great system!

[@caitlinstacy9558]

I really love watching your videos!! I was just gifted a skutt electric kiln and have been getting really excited to throw again seeing your enthusiasm for pottery!!

[@kibbit98]

Caitlin Stacy i know this was 9 months ago so who knows but did you like your Skutt kiln? I’ve only heard good things about them but I’m thinking about asking for one for my graduation gift and I’m just not sure if they’re fully worth it compared to other brands I guess!🥰

[@knightclan4]

You are absolutely right!! Clay is so magical

[@virginialee1909]

I place my scrapes on a plaster of Paris board (I used an aluminium tray as the mould) by the time I am finished my throwing session the clay has dried out enough for me to wedge it, place it in a plastic bag and use it the next day.

[@lindabeebe7065]

I LOVE this idea! Thank you for sharing that.

[@szyszynka1189]

what if it's different type and colors of clay? is it ok to mix?

[@ataliemitchell3606]

Love the lighting! I pretty much do what you do but don’t pug, I let it dry, soak a few days then pour off excess water then dry on big plaster bats, then usually be the next day I just slam wedge it and let it sit another few days and it’s ready to go. I have been known to use it right away and then have some issues with throwing it. My recycled clay is like free to me so that’s when I just make whatever comes out of my hands.

[@daleglenny1133]

I got a pug mill hidden along with my first kiln when it was delivered...the kiln was crap but the pug mill is fantastic (after a service). Sadly, I can’t use it here in the US (stupid 120 voltage), so it’s back in Australia with my wheels😩. I miss Pugsley😩.

[@feliciamorris4965]

After I trim my pots I put the trimming scraps into a small bucket with a lid and then I put some slipped from my throwing bucket on top of it to re-moisten the clay. After 1-2 days I wedge it up let it sit over night wedge it and throw. This way I can recycle quickly. And keep different types of clay separate if I want to. Also if I have a large quantity of scrap clay, or dry clay I let it slack down in water and then hang the wet clay in a cloth to drain out similar to making cheese the excess moisture drips out

[@pattyyardley6151]

What kind of cloth do you use? A cheesecloth or more like an old pillowcase? I have a years worth of mixed clays to recycle....I've been dreading it. But looking forward to some cools swirls of dark and light clays.

[@feliciamorris4965]

@@pattyyardley6151 canvas or an old sheet, so a pillowcase would work

[@keebelersplace2936]

I use a plaster top table to speed up dehydration of slippery clay .. I love my pug mill

[@ashketchup7007]

Hey Jon here's a tip. So if you have wet clay like really wet it won't pug good ,but if you put ready to go clay like not much just a little it will help it come out way faster than with just wet clay. that's how my friend taught me.

[@CaptMike]

Hi John, really like your videos. Question: Has anyone tried using a commercial mixer to blend up the clay? You know get all the lumps out before you wedge. Should be able to pick up a used one cheaper than a pug mill and it should work for smaller amounts of recycled clay for us small shops. What do you think?

[@marybethpair8928]

I keep the clay scraps wet rather than drying (dust control)- all my trimmings and 'slop' from the splash pan go into a 3 or 5 gallon bucket. Once full I pour off the water as it settles. I take the wet slop and spread out on a plaster slab. I made several slabs with regular old plaster of paris and plastic boxes (clean/unused kitty litter pans). Within hours clay stiff enough to flip over and/or wedge up and I bag it up for future use!

[@karenjoos5595]

Thanks!! I just recycled 25 pounds of clay. Did you notice if yours had a nasty smell to it? I think mine got that way from sitting in a bucket with water. Now I know to let it get bone dry before throwing it in the bucket. A bit of bleach helped kill the bacteria.

[@Jonthepotter]

Yeah, That does happen to me sometimes when I let wet clay sit for a long time.

[@stonypointpottery5812]

Thanks for the tips! I have a plaster casserole mold that I fill every few days it will dry out only about 15 lbs at a time but I try to keep up with it so I don’t end up with garbage cans full. 😂 lol I love that clay can always be repurposed!!!✌️

[@berneemartin4383]

One thing good about having to wait a long time to recycle clay is that it is supposed to become more plastic from the organic matter (mold?) in it. I remember reading that some Asian potters used to bury a bunch of clay outside for their descendants to use, since aging clay that way improves the quality of the clay. But I'm glad you were able to get the pugmill you needed. I don't have access to one myself and I made the mistake to let a big pile of used, but bagged clay sit out in our side yard for years while I was recuperating from some serious injuries. What I didn't know was that the plastic bags were biodegradable so they have disintegrated in places. It would have been much better if I had unbagged it all and put it in a big bucket. I'm wondering how the dissolved bag plastic will affect the clay when I am finally able to recycle it. I may have to let it sit even longer so that I don't have any plastic shreds left in the clay. I also need to figure out what is the best (non-biodegradable) material to cover it with to protect it from contaminants. Any suggestions?

[@Jonthepotter]

Hmmm I can't say for sure, I would guess that most plastic bags are not biodegradable and therefore would work? Maybe plastic buckets like I have with lids on them? Good luck!

[@shuvalassaf]

Plaster bats is best for drying clay. But if you have a pugmill you can skip this process, just mix bone dry clay with wet clay in the mixer and pug it when the clay is in the right consistency.

[@normahernandezpride7775]

It's a smart idea to save clay that way Jon the pottery👍👍👍👍

[@brokenredflag]

How do you dispose of clay water if you cant use the drain? How do you clean your hands? Ive been having troble with this and i cant find a dicent video about it. 0o0

[@Tangobutton]

I put my porcelain scraps in a bucket and cover with water. Every spring, when it has had a chance to get good and moldy (for plasticity), I scoop out a pile of this wet slurry onto a towel covered piece of drywall and leave it outside for a couple of days. Then wrap the towel around it...pat pat pat. Let it firm up a little more, maybe another day or so, partially covered with some of the towel. Then cut into pieces, wedge and knead and back into a bag to get used again! My business, Mary D Tiles, is 100% Handmade-- no machines except my manual kiln!

[@rrrz4361]

Hoping to see your sculptures. What you are doing now is awesome

[@Jonthepotter]

Thanks!

[@killertoxin1121]

I am a noobie potter and all my scraps go in a bucket to go bone dry then run it through a small wood chipper to get it broken down. then it goes in a bucket of water till its like slip then i take it back kout and let it dry till I think I can wedge it. Then the real work starts after wedging 25pounds of reconstituted clay my arms on on FIRE. I have looked at pug mills but yikes they are expensive.

[@almondduchess6636]

I though this would be a cheaper hobby than stained glass and glass fusing. Then I saw the pug mill, the pottery wheel, the slab roller, the mold, the bats 😩. Do you have any tips to make this hobby economical? My hubby is turning my used kiln into a technological break through so I can’t quite tell him it needs to be result yet.

[@knightclan4]

You're a wizard John A thumping good one I reckon.

[@deborarinehart2120]

I'm happy for you to find a pugmill. There was one where I worked and I pugged a lot of the clay, it's a great workout! But it was a never ending task. I've spent hours pugging. At my home studio though, I have several 5 gal. buckets, with slip in them. Some have algae growing in them, nothing some bleach won't cure. When I'm feeling like reclaiming it I put it on plaster bats and and sheet rock, then set it out to dry, then wedge it and bag it for later use.

[@Jonthepotter]

Yes my life for the next 3 months, PUG PUG PUG!

[@oldfashiondragon]

I tried making my own clay it didn't go so great

[@heathergrant9774]

Hi, I have a pugmill that I got off ebay, Still cost a lot, but I have MS and if I had to wedge I wouldn't have the energy left to throw! I love my pugmill :-)

[@Jonthepotter]

They are SOO nice!

[@carinebelloclamanufactured9674]

I put the scraps in a bucket of water but what about the smelling of the clay? Is the quality going to be different then "fresh" clay? thanks

[@Jonthepotter]

No if it smells that doesn't change the quality at all! I have used many a smelly clay:)

[@karahowery6760]

Look up using calcium carbonate in tiny amounts to help with the smell.

[@jessrichards8839]

So I'm trying this for the first time... When you add the water does the clay make a sound or am I gonna find something that had crawled into the bucket? 😳

[@stilltlrforlife]

I recycle my scraps immediately, throw them,in a bucket of water and as soon as its full enough I pour it out to dry on a large plaster bat and wedge it up..date it and re use it next season..like you I let it sit for a whole winter then use it.

[@DrHussainQasem]

what if you don't want to use it for a long time (even if it is ready) do you keep them in a plastic sealed bags?

[@stilltlrforlife]

@@DrHussainQasem yes or you can let it dry and re wet it later...easier to me if you just keep it plastic.

[@DrHussainQasem]

@@stilltlrforlife Thanks dear

[@ursulafernandezdelcastillo9178]

What do you count as scraps? I'm a super beginner. If I mess up something can I just make it into a ball and try again the next day once it has dried up? Or do I need to recycle it per this video?

[@marynelson4477]

I have a Peter Pugger and it works great, but it’s such a process to pug leftover clay that I get behind all the time.

[@Jonthepotter]

You can see I am just a little behind....

[@rrrz4361]

Can you do a video about advice to young potters ?

[@Jonthepotter]

Yes I will that's a great idea, thanks!

[@Wrufus_Wilmot]

"Sometimes I feel like I'm at Hogwarts."

[@DrHussainQasem]

when you get the clay in good condition after recycling /how to keep it at this status for longer times (months)? I remember someone telling me to put it in a sealed plastic bag and it will stay perfectly moist for very long time ..what do u think

[@hollyfreymiller2990]

Plaster board or table top will speed the drying up a ton!

[@sihyuncho5806]

I don't use the wooden boards because sometimes clay kinda smells like wood

[@Kitkatkera]

Lol I had to watch this for ceramics class!

[@benpatterson4452]

If scraps/ trimmings come from throwing, it's a good idea to include the throwing water, in the reclaim. There are fine, clay particles, that are generally tossed with the water. Losing those does affect the clay a bit, when reused.

[@Jonthepotter]

Interesting!! Did not know that!

[@ClownWhisper]

I'm going to tell something to you that will probably shock you. I don't wedge my clay ever unless I'm making something very large and I have to put pieces together. You do not have to wedge clay if you're making small bowls and coffee cups basically when you get it in a square box is come right out of a pug mill. I don't get any cracks I don't get any blown up pieces nothing. No ass crack I mean I get the occasional s crack but probably less than when I used to wedge clay all day long. All I do is a cut a big slab off of the cube from the box I lay it down cut it into 4 equal pieces with the wire and I smack it down and make a dice like Square out of it it softens it up turn it into a ball and use it. They do the same thing if I'm making a vase I just use more clay like I said the only time I wedge is if I have a really really big bowl that I have to do like huge

[@pamtenkrooden6387]

Hi Jon. Do you have to wedge the clay after you've pugged the clay or does the pugmill take out enough of the air removing the need to wedge?

[@kathrynholt5182]

Pam tenKrooden You need to wedge it after you take it out of the pug mill

[@shanemilehi]

Thanks. How do you store clay for a long time? I buy bags and sometimes I’ll just not use it but it gets hard even though it in the bag. Do you buy a ton at once and store it?

[@KellyAnn1997]

Do you ever mix the clay? What if you dont use the same kind of clay? Can you clean the pug mill easily???

[@Jonthepotter]

I try to just use one kind of clay to simplify, it is not super easy to clean , but do able

[@lindabeebe7065]

Jonthepotter what happens to the clay left on the screw when you have no more clay to process to push it out??

[@lyndsaystoker4609]

Hey! Love your videos & glad I just found your channel! What are your wedging tables made From?

[@haylietravis7574]

My dad always told me to put vinegar in while pugging and it would help age the clay. We also skipped most of the steps and had a bucket of too dry and a bucket of too wet clay and alternated adding them. Then pugged it through again.

[@jhogan9600]

Another great video! I’ve been drying my recycled clay on a plaster bat, but I’m having problems because the plaster never got really hard. It’s sort of soft like chalk. Eventually the whole thing just crumbled so I trashed it. Any tips on how to properly mix plaster?

[@Jonthepotter]

Haven't worked much with plaster, sorry!

[@theinvisiblequeen]

Start with fresh plaster. A new unopened fresh bag. Close and seal the bag after tight, I use packaging tape. Plaster will absorb moisture from the air if bag is open. Always add a lot less water than you think you'll need. Its easy to add more, a pain otherwise. Add a bit at a time. This is a lot like making bread or pie dough, there's a feel to it. Make sure to leave drying time between uses of your finished mold. But all plaster molds eventually break down. Make sure its thick enough if its a slump mold.

[@alicesise4686]

Hey Jon, what material can one use for wedging?

[@harryvideo]

What kind of surface do you use for your wedge board? And what kind of clay do you use?

[@Jonthepotter]

Canvas wrapped around a table, works great! I use hi fire buff stoneware from continental clay!

[@roserousseau8462]

Two questions - what is your wedging table made of? And, why do you stand when you do pottery. You're the only one I have seen doing this. I'm sure it would be easier on your back but how do you brace your arms? Thanks

[@Jonthepotter]

Canvas on the table! Standing it more comfortable for me, easier to move around, better on my back and body, I have been meaning to do a video about it for some time. I will get to it:)

[@carolthomas6337]

I have small buckets but would love to find a clay collective to share a pugguer to recycle my scraps. Thanks for the tutorial. IDEA: making christmas items with clay.

[@Jonthepotter]

Thanks for the idea! That has been suggested a few times actually:). I will work on it !

[@prit402]

Hi John, Love your videos sooo much!!!!! I want to start making pottery but I cant get a kiln. I wanted to start off making more decorative pottery like mugs that you can put stuff into instead of drinking out of. Do you like I can use regular air drying clay thats not paper clay ln a wheel? I have been trying the clay out and its soft and gets hard but till mailable when left out. It also takes water pretty well. Thanks!

[@Jonthepotter]

Hmmm I am not sure, I would need to know more about the clay!

[@Tangobutton]

Take a pottery class when the pandemic is over and use their kiln. That is how almost all of us start out! :-)

[@lynnhoffmann3273]

You are so fun to watch! Maybe pay a teenager who wants to do clay barter- I know you have thought of this!

[@andreag7822]

Short but sweeeeet ! 🇬🇧

[@alandunnighan2159]

That's a lot of clay to recycle. I tried dry then soak but found on my small scale wet to not so wet then wedge and need the living daylights out of it. I only do a bucket at a time. Great clip though.

[@Jonthepotter]

Nice, yeah I just found dry to wet works the best for me, thanks!

[@teresamsanchez7307]

You have your work cut out for you. Once you get caught up you can just put your scaps right into the pug and keep going. Pug mill was the best splurge in my studio, no way I could keep up with out it.

[@TheFortunateSoul007]

late night editing work and posting

[@shelliegustafson7768]

Oh let me count my buckets here. About 12 5 gal buckets. I wedge mine. I don't have the nice pug machine like you. Mr. Lucky!😀

[@justynaka8214]

My grandma used similar mill to turn meat into pieces when I was a kid... thanks God I didn't saw your video that time 🤣

[@BDFALK1]

Sure looks like a lot of boat ballast to me.

[@Jonthepotter]

I can hook you up;)

[@Knittingangel67]

Sweet lights.🤪

[@angelacollier9256]

the older the clay the better!

[@kevinlawson6188]

It is already ancient.

[@draven3838]

Wet it let it set and knead it

[@agf2803]

Hi! Your clay has a different color than mine. Yours is beige and mine is sort of more orange I guess

[@Jonthepotter]

Yeah clay comes in all different shades! Just depends on what kind of clay it is!

[@traceyosterlind14]

Squirrel!

[@oldfashiondragon]

I tried to dm you on Instagram because I have a question. But um I dont know if you ever received it. So um check your Instagram lol.

[@Jonthepotter]

Sorry just looked at my Insta messages and I have like 10, ahh can't keep up with everything, I'll try to get to answering your question, sorry!

[@oldfashiondragon]

@@Jonthepotter oh no no its okay I'm not mad lol. I just didn't know how to get a hold of you sorry

[@typicalmadi4120]

Next step is how to clean it. 😂😂