~Tools of The Trade

-Cauldron - Some are very large, others are tiny
-3 Most common cauldron types in Great Britain:
1. Pewter - Best for beginners, alloy(material made of 2 metals), slow brewing
-85% tin with copper, bismuth, antimony, and occasionally lead making up the rest of its composition.
-Earliest finding dating to 1450 BC
-Students should have a Size 2 Pewter Cauldron
2. Brass - medium brewing speed, a little more expensive than pewter, good for intermediate level
-Potions brewed with brass brew 10% faster than pewter
-Metal alloy of zinc and copper
-These alloys have been found in Asia and East Mediterranean as far back as the 3rd millennium
-Eventually used in Roman empire and parts of Europe
3. Copper - Fastest brewing, brews 10% faster than brass, advanced level
-The faster brewing time makes it easy to make mistakes
-Pure chemical element of copper(not an alloy)
-Copper used as far back as 9-10,000 years ago in the Calcolithic Period(aka Copper Age)

-Other cauldron types include gold and silver, but they are much rarer and much more expensive
-Silver is 1 of the best cauldrons to use, w/ a smooth, easy brew time
-Silver can also be used in conjunction with phases of the moon
-Fire crab cauldrons are also good, but fire crabs are prone to poaching for their shells and gems and are very rare due to fire crab protection laws
-Always bring your dragon hide gloves and goggles to class
-Keep alert
-Set of scales to measure ingredients
-Measuring cups for liquids
-Ruler for solids
-Sharp knife and cutting board(silver knives cut more cleanly)
-Mortar and pestle for crushing ingredients
-Stirring utensil if needed
-Always clean your cauldron well with cauldron cleaner after brewing, as well as your implements
-Keep your brewing station in good order

~Brewing Processes

-It's very important to follow directions when brewing
-Prep ingredients in advance
-Some ingredients only work under certain moon phases or celestial alignments
-You may want a self-heating cauldron, as it's good for making basic potions
-Once your cauldron is heated, you know what to do, and your ingredients are prepped, you can add ingredients as your directions say EXACTLY.
-Always add ingredients in correct order
-Stir with your wand(DON'T stick your wand into the potion!!)
-There is a Stirring Charm(more next lesson), and whether you stir clockwise or counterclockwise and the number of times is important
-Estimated Brew Time=EBT
-Store potion in glass or crystal phials(clear or tinted)
-Can use a funnel or a Siphoning Charm
-Many potions can be used right after brewing, but with others, additional magical reactions may need to occur.
-Total Brew Time-TBT
-Consult expiration date before using a potion
-Always label your phials with the correct name, effect, ingredients, date brewed, expiration date, usage, and allergy/side effect warnings

~Assignments

-Mandatory quiz(It's A Kind of Magic)
-Extra-Credit Essay(The Doors of Time)