How to season a new crucible - for casting or melting - using borax

This is a quick little informative video about how to season your new crucible before melting precious metal in it.
The crucible is seasoned with borax which is a cleaning chemical found at most super markets. It come in a granular form like sugar. Borax is perfect for helping insulate your metal keeping it hot, acts as a lubricant so the metal can roll around the crucible like water, gives your crucible longer life by protecting the ceramic. But most importantly it cleans your metal! All the impurities and crud that cant be incinerated in the melting process usually float around on top of your molten metal. But if your crucible is seasoned with borax all you have to do is give that molten metal a good shake and all the impurities get stuck in that borax glaze, leaving your metal clean and fresh!
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kirraleajewellery
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[@grantsaxman7170]

Awesome video and super helpful for me seeing as I am attempting a silver cast for the first time in a couple weeks! Thank you for putting this together :)
One note I would like to make, its important to not wear sunglasses during a melt like this. The harmful part of this melt is UV, IR, and other forms of blackbody radiation from the high temperature materials. Common sunglasses are built to filter out visible light spectrum radiation, but NOT other more damaging radiation. When you wear sunglasses, your eyes dilate because there is less visible light reaching them and actually allow MORE damaging radiation in, potentially increasing the harmful dosage your eyes receive. If you cast often, look for cobalt blue welding glasses/goggles. They will have a rated shade level that you can purchase according to your specific needs.

[@nobodyspecial2442]

Underrated TH-camr

[@CrusaderLegFoot]

It looks like there are a couple of methods for doing this, and these are the pros and cons that I can think of at the moment:
The first one I saw, the guy sprinkled the borax around the bottom and sides of the crucible before melting it on there, which seems quicker, but could be messy and may leave some small gaps.
The method in the video seems less messy and might be more effective at covering the entire inner surface, but takes longer. It also seems to use more borax, which I don't know if it's a pro or a con.
I guess you can pick whichever method works best for you, or do a combination of the two for maximum effectiveness.

[@silverismoney]

Just starting to cast my own silver, found this very useful. Thanks.

[@pollyfuzz]

Thanks Kirra! SO helpful!

[@sandcasting_with_kirralea]

You're so welcome! :D

[@jenb1000]

Thank you so much! your tips and lessons are so good!

[@sandcasting_with_kirralea]

Happy to help 😊

[@Frigger20]

Excellent videos giving really key info ! New subscriber !

[@sandcasting_with_kirralea]

Thank you :)

[@laurajanik2569]

Would love to know where you bought your crucible & tongs! I never know which ones to buy online, some are terrible quality.

[@maybay6344]

thanks so much, i'm starting out and this help alot. Do you know how to prevent the new crucible from cracking? I saw many review on amazon said their crucible cracking on first use. Thanks

[@sandcasting_with_kirralea]

I've never had that problem personally. Maybe just purchase from a jewellery supplier rather than an eBay seller.

[@JessicaAndrews2]

Can you video showing what we need as minimum to set up home work station? I’m an absolute novice, I love your videos 🌷

[@sandcasting_with_kirralea]

Yes I could do that :) I am always up for new video ideas

[@laurajanik2569]

I'd love this as well as a supplies list! Your videos are great.@@sandcasting_with_kirralea

[@catherinemartina6469]

can you use flux

[@AngiesByKim]

Why did mine turn red instead of clear?

[@MrPea56]

Do you think the thick walled square crucible lasts longer ?, I use a thin walled circular dish and have had them crack

[@sandcasting_with_kirralea]

I haven't used the dish shaped ones enough to know if they last longer or not. I don't know why but I find the square ones more comfortable to use. I have never had a square one break :)

[@SailorCrafty]

Ok so my borax just turned to popcorn and blew away 😂 I don't think my MAPP torch is hot enough??

[@sannaandersson6325]

Not allowed to buy borax in Sweden 😔

[@sandcasting_with_kirralea]

Oh poop. Well flux paste might work

[@Frigger20]

You can buy it from a jeweller’s equipment store, often online. In the EU Borax is limited to professional use so not available from supermarkets.