What happens to clay when it freezes?
Freezing of wet clay does not completely damage the clay. However it does make it less desirable to use immediately after thawing. The act of freezing drawing water molecules from inside the clay block and freezes as frost and forming ice crystals on the out side surface of the clay but inside the plastic packaging. Upon thawing the ice melts and water gravitates to the low resting point of the package, leaving the dense block of clay drier and crumbly in the top and center and a disproportionate amount of water at the bottom and edges of the unit. Over time capillary action will redistribute the moisture but generally not soon enough for the user unless kneading and wedging techniques are implemented.
