Separating clay from gravel

[Gideyon]

One thing I worried about when capping one substrate with another is coming to reality. 

How do I separate gravel from a baked clay substrate?    The clay is sticking to the gravel so sifting isn't working well (although the sifter is a little too small anyway. 

I don't plan to salvage the clay. I only want to keep the gravel.   

Since the clay is light, I am considering putting the mix in a bucket and flooding it with a water hose.  Hoping to bring up the clay through a whirlpool and exit the bucket. 

Anyone got any better ideas?    I'm trying to limit time outside. It's cold. 

[CT_]

I think some kind of sluice is your best bet.  but it may be cheaper to throw it out and buy new than build and deal with a sluice.

[Widgets]

I would think a colendar or mesh strainer with holes small enough to trap the gravel could let the clay pass through. Maybe provide some persuasion with water pressure to loosen the clay from the gravel.

As @CT_ stated, you have to determine how much time and effort you want to put into saving the gravel. I personally hate to throw good stuff out, so I spend way too much time and effort, but there is the satisfaction of accomplishment. Also, if I can save the gravel, I will have more $ for livestock. 

[Odd Duck]

I have an old metal screen type sieve that I’ve used to clean gravel many times over the decades.  It’s big enough to hang on a 5 gallon bucket so I can dump gravel in the sieve, run water over it with the hose while swirling the gravel around like mad.  The gravel cleans off quickly.  You don’t have to blast the water if you run everything with the bucket full of water.  The sieve hangs down into the water so you’re just replenishing the water splashed out.

[Gideyon]

I ended up leaving some clay in the gravel, and I may have tossed about half a pound worth  (out of 20lb) of gravel in the backyard.

I really wish I had the time to implement the suggestions above. I appreciate the input. 

Next time..... 

Edited March 2, 2022 by Gideyon