My penguino is chirping for help!
November 27, 2009 2:59 PM Subscribe
My ceramic pitcher is making a clicking noise even when left alone. What is going on?
I have a ceramic Penguino pitcher from Argentina that I was given as a present. I washed it and used it for the first time yesterday for Thanksgiving. Ever since then it has been making a clicking noise, every few minutes, even when sitting alone on the counter or shelf. The click sounds like someone is tapping the pitcher with a small pin; it is very sharp but faint.
I noticed that there are small cracks underneath the clear glaze, though the surface is still smooth and solid. I don't know if they were there before I used it.
I washed him by hand in the sink, though I may have used pretty hot water. I'm afraid that is the root of the problem, though I can't find anything online about it and I still don't know what to do.
Please help me solve this mystery. My penguino is chirping for help!
I have a ceramic Penguino pitcher from Argentina that I was given as a present. I washed it and used it for the first time yesterday for Thanksgiving. Ever since then it has been making a clicking noise, every few minutes, even when sitting alone on the counter or shelf. The click sounds like someone is tapping the pitcher with a small pin; it is very sharp but faint.
I noticed that there are small cracks underneath the clear glaze, though the surface is still smooth and solid. I don't know if they were there before I used it.
I washed him by hand in the sink, though I may have used pretty hot water. I'm afraid that is the root of the problem, though I can't find anything online about it and I still don't know what to do.
Please help me solve this mystery. My penguino is chirping for help!
Pick it up. Is there a water ring underneath? (A damp line on the bottom lip of a pot often causes that noise.) If that's not it, then I would assume it is the glaze settling.
posted by DarlingBri at 3:22 PM on November 27, 2009
posted by DarlingBri at 3:22 PM on November 27, 2009
Best answer: I have no idea why this happens, but it usually goes away after a few days.
posted by yohko at 6:10 PM on November 27, 2009
posted by yohko at 6:10 PM on November 27, 2009
Best answer: Sounds like the glaze on the outside of your pitcher is shrinking, causing it to crack in fine, hairlike lines, a condition where the glaze shrinks more than the clay it's on, resulting in "crazing" (the aforementioned hairlike lines.) On old Asian pottery, especially Chinese celadons, this is a desirable thing. On a pitcher you'll probably use often, not so much.
posted by motown missile at 11:40 PM on November 27, 2009
posted by motown missile at 11:40 PM on November 27, 2009
Best answer: Given that it's happening after immersion in water, it may be contrariwise that the pitcher swells a little, more than the glaze, causing that same crazing.
Either way, it sounds like this pitcher would be better used for display.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:40 AM on November 28, 2009
Either way, it sounds like this pitcher would be better used for display.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:40 AM on November 28, 2009
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posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:20 PM on November 27, 2009