The Traditional And Modern Craftsmanship Of Clay POTS: From Manual Shaping To Mechanical Pressing

(MENAFN- GetNews) The manufacturing process of clay POTS has always been balanced between tradition and modernity, with the main differences in the process reflected in the shaping of the body and the firing stage.

Traditional clay POT rely on the "hand shaping" process: artisans kneel the clay (mostly purple clay, red clay, etc.), then shape it by hand on a wheel, and finally trim the edges with a bamboo knife to ensure uniform thickness of the pot body. After the body is dried, it needs to go through two firing processes: the first is a plain firing (800-1000°C) to harden and set the shape of the clay. After the second glazing, re-firing (700-900°C) is carried out to melt the glaze surface and form a smooth surface, preventing water seepage. The advantage of manual craftsmanship is that the pot body has a high density and good air permeability, which is suitable for slow stewing. However, the output is low, and the pot body is prone to uneven heating due to manual errors.

Modern clay POTS adopt the "mechanical pressing" process: clay is mixed with quartz sand, feldspar and other ingredients, ground into fine powder by a ball mill, and then water is added to make clay. Use molds to press the clay into shape, ensuring that the pot body dimensions are standard and the wall thickness is consistent. Computer temperature control is introduced during firing to precisely control the rates of heating, holding and cooling, reducing cracking caused by sudden temperature changes. Some modern techniques also add carbon fiber to the body to enhance impact resistance and solve the problem of fragility of traditional clay POTS.

The choice between the two techniques affects the usage scenarios: handmade clay POTS are suitable for those who pursue the original flavor of stewing, while modern craft clay POTS are more resistant to bumps and are suitable for frequent daily use. They can even be used to switch between open flames and electric ceramic stoves.

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