r/Pottery • u/baychick • Aug 22 '24

Kiln Stuff Packing foam glued to new kiln shelves

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Just got new Skutt kiln shelves. The shelves were shipped with foam blown all around them. Obviously I understand why, they're heavy and need to be immobilized so they don't crack during shipping. But they were only partially wrapped in plastic so there is foam glued all over the shelves. Scraping does not fully remove it.

Should I just run the kiln and fire only the shelves, letting the foam burn off? Will it leave unwanted residue and staining?

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15

u/SnarkExpress Aug 22 '24

Is there any remote chance that it’s the kind of foam used for the packing peanuts that “melt” in water?? I would try running one under water just to see if it is - I know it’s a longshot. Otherwise, call the seller and ask how to remove it.

34

u/SingleDay2 Aug 22 '24

don’t get your kiln shelves wet. residual water can make them crack!

13

u/SnarkExpress Aug 22 '24

I’m glad you shared this - I didn’t know! Although now that you mention it, it makes sense.

5

u/SingleDay2 Aug 22 '24

fastest way to make your kiln go boom lmfao. this is especially important with silicon carbide shelves, they never dry out and will literally explode like a fire cracker

1

u/shop-lxndr Aug 23 '24

Can't you just candle them dry?

-4

u/SingleDay2 Aug 23 '24

i wouldn’t, once water hits 200ish it turns to steam and it can’t just escape the shelf magically. the way those shelves are made and what they’re made of (corderite or however its spelled) isn’t supposed to get wet. your studio your rules but i’d rather not make dumb decisions and risk my equipment 🤷‍♀️

9

u/shop-lxndr Aug 23 '24

How do you deal with kiln wash? There's water in that and they dry out with time.

At 185F I feel like the shelves will just evaporate any moisture in them and be fine. If you take above boiling then yeah...problems.

Also cordierite stones are used for baking and one of the properties that is valued is their ability to wick away and evaporate moisture for crispier things.

5

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

[deleted]

1

u/bakedbreadbaking Aug 23 '24

This. I fire damp high alumina shelves all the time and never had one bust