No excess water dripping around the edges of the machine

Now, we'll raise the piston up to its maximum height, allowing the block and the core plate to be removed. Be sure the lid is fully open so that it will not damage the block as it emerges from the mould box.

A perfect block!

With a careful and gentle push on the left end of the block, the block is extracted from the machine.

The block and core plate slide easily off the piston

The block is now transferred to the drying area.

Place the block on one of the long edges...

Gently pull the core plate away from the block.

With the right amount of moisture in the soil, the core plate will fall away by itself

Make sure the freshly made block remains undisturbed for at least 48 to 72 hours. The drying area should be protected from the elements -- it should not be exposed to direct sun, wind or rain. In hot, dry environments, you should cover the blocks with a plastic tarp to slow the drying time. Blocks that dry too quickly will crack. After a sufficent amount of initial curing time, the blocks can be stacked on their long edges for the remainder of the curing time which should typically be in the range of three to four weeks.