After tweaking my burnout cycle, the wax melted clean for a change
Working on a small bronze pendant at home, and my last few tries left residue in the mold. This time I ramped up the kiln slower and held it at temp a bit longer. The flask came out clear, so the metal should fill the details better. Really happy with how it turned out for once.
Ceramics 101 taught me that heating plaster too fast forces the leftover water inside to steam and expand. That pressure has to go somewhere, so it cracks. @the_ruby, your cracked mold is a perfect example of physics winning. It's not just about temperature, it's about giving moisture a clear escape route. Rushing the dry time always shows in the final piece.