Mesh Size in Processing

In a continuation of the last post, here is a close-up of three similar glazes processed to different lengths. The first was processed no further than a window screen. The unmelted chunks remind me of big snowflakes. While great visual and tactical texture, it would not work well as an everyday functional glaze. Its rough surface would shred a sponge and be less than pleasant scraping a metal spoon over.

The second was poured through a 30 mesh sieve. In my experience this is the minimum work and maximum particle size for functional ware. The melt is good enough that the small unmelted bits are beneath a mostly smooth glaze.

The last is 60 mesh. This glaze is smooth and perfectly acceptable for everyday functional ware. It does require an extra round of processing. This is also the size where having a mill or grinder begins to shift from convenient to necessary.

From January 28, 2024