Mixing hempcrete - The Hempcrete Topic: Designing and Building with Hemp-lime - page 332

6. Empty the hempcrete into tubs.
The mixing process is described in more detail below right, but these are the basic prin-
ciples:
The binder should be well mixed with water first (to ensure sufficient water is taken up
by the binder).
The hemp shiv is then added, then, after more mixing, the rest of the water, and all ma-
terials are evenly combined to achieve a consistent finished mix. However, depending
on the individual mixer you are using, it may not be possible to add the materials in
this order. Sometimes the pan is not completely watertight (though it should be), so, if
combining water and binder first, some may escape. Also, when the hemp is added last
it sometimes clogs together as it goes in and doesn't mix easily. In either of these situ-
ations, it is acceptable to mix the hemp and dry binder thoroughly first and then add the
water (as shown in the photos opposite), although care should be taken to distribute the
water evenly through the mix.
The mixing should be long enough to achieve an evenly blended material and no
longer. This time can vary with the materials, but is easily judged by eye, since it is
quite easy to see into the mixer.
Once mixed, the wet hempcrete should be placed immediately, or within the time re-
commended by the manufacturer (depending on which binder you are using), and this
time limit should be strictly observed.