drilled holes in pots look black

[Bonnie Rubinstein]

I am about to do a pot melt with 3 small standard looking red clay pots, bought at Menards. When I drilled the extra holes, the material did not behave like clay, was harder, and was almost black. I would assume clay would have a diferent color and consistency. The residue that I get by wiping these holes is also black. I do not want the glass to pick up this black residue. Has anyone used this type of clay pot successfully?

Thanks!

[Cheryl]

nope. weird.

[Jim Murphy]

Hi Bonnie, there's a remote chance these pots are made of resin rather than clay. Perhaps a simple match flame test will be in order to determine
if the material melts and/or burns. Have water nearby.

If the pots don't melt/burn, they may indeed be made of clay and you're seeing "black-coring" which happens when iron-containing clays are improperly fired.

Good luck,

Jim

[Bonnie Rubinstein]

thanks.. I shall test it.