The First Bake: Bisque Firing · Bone Dry

Medium

Dry a plate without warping

Plates warp because the thin rim dries before the thick center. You have to outsmart physics.

The method

  1. Leave the plate on its bat after throwing
  2. Cover with plastic for 24 hours (evens out moisture)
  3. Flip the plate onto a flat, clean surface every 12 hours after removing from bat
  4. Cover loosely throughout
  5. Continue for 5–7 days until fully bone dry

Success criteria

  • Perfectly flat: place it on a flat surface and check for rocking
  • No warping at the rim
  • Uniform color throughout (no dark center)

Why flipping matters

The surface touching the table dries slower. Flipping ensures both faces dry at the same rate. It's tedious but it's the difference between a flat plate and a potato chip.