Abstract: Foundry molds are made principally from a mixture of refractory sand, a binder and a catalyst. The temperature of recycled sand is measured and a cooling medium is contacted with the sand. The flow of the cooling medium is controlled to cool the sand to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range which is slightly above a measured dew point temperature. Controlling the sand temperature to a temperature slightly above the dew point temperature prevents moisture condensation in the sand which interferes with binder curing to provide increased strength and controlled shelf life in the sand, binder and catalyst mixture.