Kenneth wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 01:12:07 -0500, "HUTCHNDI"
> > wrote:
>
> Howdy,
>
> You have considered seasoning them, now reject that idea
> <g>.
>
> Of course you are correct. They were made at temperatures
> far higher than anything you might expose them to.
>
> All the best,
>
> --
> Kenneth


Sometimes seasoning is called for. Usually this falls into two cases:

1) The stone or tiles are refractory cement or a refractory cement and
clay mixture.

These tend to outgas residual filler from the construction process. The
filler is added to engineer pore space so the stone has the appropriate
thermo-elastic properties...ie: can expand and contract without
cracking. Sometimes the fluxing agents outgass as well. These are the
materials, typically feldspars for low temperature bonding (called
sintering by ceramicists). Really high temp stuff, 2200 F or more,
achieves a glassine state and is, as you might expect, brittle. Quarry
stone is not high temp stuff but is often enginnered for a bit of
porousity. You can usually smell these agents.


2) The stone's post firing tension needs to be released.

Often low temperature ceramic ware needs to be refired, "cured", to
release the initial firing stress. This means the specific angles of
molecular alignment achieved at high manufacturing temperature might
not be appropriate for lower temperature use. You have seen many things
warp in ovens, flat steel sheet pans (a special case) and you have
probably seen new pizza stones develop hairline cracks or warp during
early stages of use.


Will