How do you dry mud into dirt? There is more to this story that meets the eye!?

Question

I need some dirt for a project and I dug it up in my backyard but outside there is snow and ice (I live in Michigan) and I need help to dry the mad as soon as I can. So how would I do it? I've put the mud that already defrosted in a bucket and its now just mud because it defrosted in the bucket. I poured all the water I could without taking the mud out. Again, what is the easiest and fastest way I can turn the mud into dirt? Thanks!

Answer 1

What do you need the dirt for?

Generally, soil scientists "oven dry" soil by putting the soil in a beaker in an oven set at 105 C.

If you wan to preserve the organic matter in the soil you should put it in an oven at less than 105 degrees Celcius.

If in a hurry in my soil physics lab we would put the beakers in a microwave for five to ten mins. This was just a few grams of soil however. Also, put a small beaker/glass of water in the microwave with the soil.

Answer 2

Try spreading the 'mud' out into a 'shallow baking pan' and then 'baking it' at a 'low temperature' to help the remaining 'water' evaporate slowly. But be CAREFUL because good 'dirt' has some 'moisture' in it ... just not enough to make it into 'mud.'

Answer 3

Hang the bucket of mud over a fire in your backyard and heat it gently until the moisture evaporates.

Answer 4

here's to mud in your eye too.... dry it out in the oven, then put it in a towel and beat it with a hammer until it's dirt again.....

Answer 5

wrap it in cheesecloth and muslin and squeeze until its stops dripping, then spread it in a thin layer on a covered baking sheet and stick it in a warm oven until it is dry!

Answer 6

the oven or micro wave in small amounts

or put it on a tray in front of the open fire place

Answer 7

put it in a cake pan and heat it in the oven

Answer 8

Hair drier...