John; I use hide glue quite frequently for hammer hanging, veneer work, etc. I don't just throw the granules in the pot and turn the heat on, I soak them. I don't know what either method does to the strength but the soaking does alleviate little 'surprise' granules in the glue pot. Also granules that have been soaked create less of the scum, or skim, on the top of a fresh mix of glue. When I finish using the glue pot, and unplug the sucker, I try to remember to take the cover off. If I don't remember........ in just a couple of days I have a nice mold garden in the pot and I have to start all over again. I don't clean out the pot except when I have gotten a mold garden going. When I need to replenish the amount of glue I just add granules and cover with water until it is about a quarter inch over the glue granules. I will let it sit all day/night and plug it in.............works for me. Jim Bryant (FL)
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC