Fieldnotes, of Recipes and Air

Mechanical mixing gives a more consistent result, when compared to hand mixing. The brick materials display increased boundedness to one another. This mixing method results in sharper corners and the brick can be demolded with very little chipping at the corners.

The cook must coordinate the wax temperature and gravel temperature with the temperature of the surrounding air. This relationship changes based on environmental factors such as season and daily weather. There is no ideal time to cast, but the recipe must take the surrounding air conditions into account.

In May and for our particular goals, the most suitable pour temperature for the wax was 160ºF. The gravel must be conditioned and allowed to rest indoors at an ambient air temperature between 70-74º for at least 8 hours prior to mixing.

Hot rocks or gravel prevent the wax from solidifying by transferring their heat into the mixture. A lack of viscosity distributes the gravel unevenly and due to their

density gravity tends to move the stones towards the bottom half of the brick.

When the wax is too hot it overheats the rocks, the rocks in turn reheat the wax and the above issue ensues. Additionally, the mixture will not solidify for hours.

When pouring the wax and aggregate mixture into the brick mold, ensure that the mixture has started to solidify and turns opaque. This will create even consistency and suspension between the gravel and wax.

Once the wax starts to solidify, remixing or continuous mixing will prevent the mixture from setting. As you mix, you re-introduce energy into the system. Over mixing will similarly introduce additional heat and cause the above conditions in the mixture.

Remove the whisk before trying to remove the bowl from the stand mixer.1

The simplest way to clean the molds and tools is by using a dish soap that works well on grease and hot water. Lightly scrape off wax residue when demolding to make the washing process easier.

1 See Julia Child, “A Three-Tiered Wedding Cake with Martha Stewart, part1,” in Baking with Julia, Public Broadcasting Service, 10 July 1997, accessed online, https:// www.pbs.org/video/juliachild-baking-julia-threetiered-wedding-cakemartha-stewart-part-1/.

Above, emulsified soybean oil, bound with aquamarine dye and gravel aggregate remnants. Remnants were collected after each batch, melted down, and re-used in subsequent batches.

Below, a scene from the baking sequence at the Taubman College Fablab.