Ernie vonBorstel on sat 18 jan 97
When do you turn off the Envirovent when doing a glaze firing?
Skutt would like you to leave it on even after you get to temperature to
prevent the Envirovent from becoming damaged from overheating. It seems to
me that this works against you when you would like to achieve a very slow
cooldown.
So far I've always shut it off as soon as the cone goes over and I turn off
the elements. No problems yet but I'm somewhat nervous that I may be
shortening the life of my Envirovent. I fire to ^6.
Any suggestions or descriptions of what you potters with Envirovents do
would be greatly appreciated.
Ernie
Ithaca NY
afrancis on sun 19 jan 97
Hi Ernie,
My experience with Kiln vents is limited, but I use overhead ceiling
vent fans for glaze firings, and only use the kiln vent for bisques.
The reason is that I have some picky glazes that seem to fail when the
vent creates that Oxidation atmosphere (tho not a true oxidation) and I
have found that the natural electric neutral atmosphere is much more
reliable for even temperature and all that.
Now, In answer to your question, your vent will not really heat up
unless there is a draw thru it. That means to me that it is likely to
be cooler when not in use. Similarly when you kill it at peak temp you
should find that it cools down rather than heats up. These vents don't
work like chimneys which create active draughts, but are passive
ventilation. You will notice that the vent has outside air introduced
thru an expernal (to the kiln) inlet which is another passive device to
allow cool air around the pipe/kiln connection to mix with hot from
within the kiln while the vent is on. Otherwise, there is little or no
hot air from within the kiln going up that pipe while the vent is off.
That is how I have experienced kiln vents.
Ours is a Bailey vent which is different I know, but the same
principles apply. In your case, there will not be any hot air going
thru because the envirovent mounts below the kiln, and once you shut it
off, the draft reverses and rises up thru the top holes. The envirovent
seems to use the reversal of physics to keep the kiln atmosphere rather
neutral by drawing against the natural tendency of hot air, downward.
Hope this helps.
The short answer is that in physical terms, I can see no way that
shutting it off would harm it. Shut it off and feel the pipe or vent
after a few minutes and compare that to when it is on. Is there any
difference? Good luck,
Andrew Francis
Interlaken School of Art
Jeremy/Bonnie Hellman on tue 21 jan 97
Ernie-
My experience is that the Envirovent does not cause a quick cooldown
after a firing. I have a Skutt 1029-3" and I do wish it cooled down
faster! (Only kidding (sort of). I know slow cool downs are good. And
patience is a virtue, etc.) When you are firing, the air exiting from the
Envirovent (past the metal portion of the exit tube) is not hot. You can
use flexible, plastic clothes dryer vent material to carry this air from
your kiln to the great outdoors. I found it hard to believe that I wasn't
going to melt the plastic, so I made a point (at great risk to my skin,
so I thought) of feeling it. Cool enough to touch for an extended period
of time, no problem! Not scientific (couldn't find a thermometer) but,
enpirical evidence is that the kiln cools down plenty slowly. So, I do
leave the Envirovent turned on, until the kiln is room temperature, to
avoid harming it. At $245, I don't want to replace it for a LONG time.
Bonnie in Pittsburgh, PA
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>When do you turn off the Envirovent when doing a glaze firing?
>
>Skutt would like you to leave it on even after you get to temperature to
>prevent the Envirovent from becoming damaged from overheating. It seems to
>me that this works against you when you would like to achieve a very slow
>cooldown.
>
>So far I've always shut it off as soon as the cone goes over and I turn off
>the elements. No problems yet but I'm somewhat nervous that I may be
>shortening the life of my Envirovent. I fire to ^6.
>
>Any suggestions or descriptions of what you potters with Envirovents do
>would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Ernie
>Ithaca NY
"Outside a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too
dark to read" Groucho Marx
" " Harpo Marx
"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like an avocado" Att. to GM
Jonathan Kirkendall on fri 24 jan 97
Hi Ernie: I also use an Envirovent, and had lots of trouble with my glazes
bubbling. It occured to me (finally!) that maybe it was because I left the
vent on, as suggested. I called my supplier who was surprised that the
directions instructed one to keep the vent on. She suggested I turn it off,
so I do, when the cone in the peephole begins to move, and voila, no more
bubbling glazes. It seems that in the last minutes, the glazes begin to
settle down and smooth out. The vent was preventing this by cooling
everything off too soon. The supplier didn't think this would damage the
vent, but at any rate, it seems to be my only option.
Jonathan in Yonkers
Janet H Walker on fri 12 dec 97
...Does the down-draft method cause uneven heating?...
? I'm not sure whether you have this vent already and are having
trouble or whether you are thinking of getting it to solve a problem.
But I'll tell you what I've found. I got an envirovent for my SKutt
1027, which I fire with a controller. The vent has not given me any
problem.s I installed it per instructions (it comes with little
drawings of where and how big the holes in the top should be.)
My observation about the firings: in order to get an even firing,
you have to go slow. This isn't the fault of the vent; it is a
consequence of the thermal mass of the kiln itself and the lag in
temp between the pots, the air, and the shelves. So fire 60C per
hour over the last 3 to 5hours, soak up to 30 minutes, and control
the cooling rate. That helps a lot with getting the results to be
the same throughout.
Perhaps just as crucial is how you load the kiln. JOnathan Kaplan had
advised me to use half shelves even when I was loading them as if they
were full shelves. The little space between lets the heat mix more
evenly.
Also, I finally started putting a "cap shelf" on the very top of the
load so that the top shelf would fire like the rest of the load.
Otherwise it came out a half cone low and duller looking (if it was
shallow, like 4 inches between the shelf and the top of the kiln.)
I figured that the cold air pulled in through the holes by the fan
was not helping with staying at temperature. Someone told me that
what I was seeing meant that I hadn't installed the vent right but
following instructions is something I'm good at and I think that
having a cold draft onto a hot piece probably has some effect on it.
Well, so that's what I know about envirovents. People have told me
that the Bailey side draw vent is "better". With that one, I think
you leave a peep open instead of drilling holes in the lid. I have
not seen any technical comparisons that name issues and show
measurements though. Hmm. I wonder what you would measure?
Jan Walker
Cambridge, MA USA
DWoodin521 on sat 13 dec 97
The vent that the kiln sits on can cause problems when the fan blades get out
of balance due to the dirty air pulled across them. In extreme cases this
will set up a vibration in the kiln which will walk the cone right out of the
sitter and shut the kiln off. Cleaning the fan blades is a major task.
Cheryl L Litman on sun 14 dec 97
At one point I began to notice fumes during several firings and couldn't
pinpoint why. Checked the duct work and it didn't leak, took the kiln
apart and off the fan and discovered that some bits of flaked kilnwash
had fallen into the holes leading to the vent. I think they are
positioned poorly in the center bottom of the kiln where stuff can fall
through the center between the 2 shelves. I've been very careful since
and had no problems.
Cheryl Litman
Somerset, NJ
email: cheryllitman@juno.com
On Sat, 13 Dec 1997 14:49:15 EST DWoodin521 writes:
>----------------------------Original
>message----------------------------
>The vent that the kiln sits on can cause problems when the fan blades
>get out
>of balance due to the dirty air pulled across them. In extreme cases
>this
>will set up a vibration in the kiln which will walk the cone right out
>of the
>sitter and shut the kiln off. Cleaning the fan blades is a major task.
>
Unruly JuliE on tue 23 dec 97
If you use a full shelf on the bottom, you will not have a problem
with this.
JuliE
Janet H Walker on thu 30 apr 98
Hi Gayl -- sympathies on getting it all figured out with the kiln and
Envirovent. I've been there, got it figgered. Not so bad really so
keep confident!
The vent. I called Skutt to point out that the kiln cools too fast
with the vent on and could they tell me at what temperature it was
safe to turn it off. They hemmed and hawed and finally said they
would have to call me back. Which they did. I think that the
answer was about 1100C, or really not all that much different from
1200C (cone 6) which is what I fire to. So, if I'm there at the end
of the firing, I just turn the vent off off after the soak. If I'm
not, I just leave it running. I wish that the controller had a
convenient shutoff timer for the vent; it would make so much sense.
Basically, leaving the vent running while you cool will not hurt the
work. The Skutt 1027 just cools too fast anyhow and the vent makes
only a miniscule difference. I fire down with the controller
because the glazes I like best don't look all that good unless
cooled slowly.
Conversely, turning the vent off at top heat (at least at cone 6)
will not hurt the vent. You can put your hand under the kiln while
it is at top heat without feeling any warmth (at least, I can). The
air being pulled out of the kiln is a tiny amount, being mixed with
a lot of cool air. I can't see how the vent is going to be getting
a lot of heat after the power to the elements has been turned off
and the temp is dropping like a rock.
So, turn the vent on before you push start of the controller (just
to get in the habit!) and turn it off whenever you decide to do so
based on your thoughts plus the preceding.
Cheers,
Jan Walker
Cambridge MA USA
(P.S. if you could us a sample firing schedule for a long single-firing,
let me know!!)
amy parker on fri 1 may 98
--snip--
>Cheers,
>Jan Walker
>Cambridge MA USA
>(P.S. if you could us a sample firing schedule for a long single-firing,
>let me know!!)
>
Jan (and anyone else) - I would love a sample program for a controller
to cone 6!!! I just got my kiln & have gone to cone 7 with FOUR glaze
firings, slow-auto, fast-auto, manual...I have an Olympic 7 cu ft & would
graciously accept any & all controller tips for translating lo-med-hi
for x hours into what the controller understands!
amy parker Lithonia, GA
amyp@sd-software.com
Candise Flippin on sat 2 may 98
Amy,
I went through this when I bought my controller several years ago. I had
firing schedules that were working great, I just wanted to automate them. I
called the kiln manufacturer's technical folks, and discussed it with them.
They were able to help me translate the switch settings to rate of heating.
I would gladly share my schedule, but my kiln is not an Olympic. If you
would like the schedules anyway, let me know.
Best of luck, Candise in San Diego with a little May Gray.
amy parker wrote:
> Jan (and anyone else) - I would love a sample program for a controller
> to cone 6!!! ...
Kathy Emler on sun 3 oct 99
Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln? I
recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
comments?
Thanks,
Kathy
MisUnruly on mon 4 oct 99
envirovent... kilnvent... almost the same thing...
I wouldn't do without mine...
specially if you have it in your home.
Kathy Emler wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln? I
> recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
> comments?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
Mary Lou Zeek on mon 4 oct 99
Kathy, I fire to cone 6 and noticed a big difference in my firings using
the envirovent. Colors brightened and it seemed to even out the firing. M.
Zeek/Oregon
----- Original Message -----
From: Kathy Emler
To:
Sent: Sunday, October 03, 1999 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: EnviroVent
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln?
I
> recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
> comments?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
>
CINDI ANDERSON on mon 4 oct 99
I use it with the automatic Skutt 1027. The best part is you don't have
to crack the lid of the kiln at the beginning if you use it. Also, when
I get lazy and don't put on the dryer vent piece to vent it out of the
garage it gets pretty stinky in there. So it definitely helps keep the
chemicals and smoke (from burning paper, etc) away. The only thing I
wish is that it had a timer to turn it off when the kiln turned off.
Even though the kiln is fully automatic, I still have to find
approximately the right time to turn of the vent if I want slow cooling.
Kathy Emler wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln? I
> recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
> comments?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
Penny Hosler on mon 4 oct 99
Kathy,
They're great. Helps to even out the temps during firing, as well as
venting the fumes and noxious stuff from your kiln area. If your
kiln is inside you really need some sort of venting system. I've had
no complaints with my Envirovents, except the cost of course.
Penny
-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy Emler
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Sunday, October 03, 1999 8:40 AM
Subject: Re: EnviroVent
>----------------------------Original
message----------------------------
>Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt
kiln? I
>recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent.
Any
>comments?
>
>Thanks,
>Kathy
>
Joan M. Woodward on mon 4 oct 99
Hi Kathy,
I'm using the Orton vent which is the same thing (according to Clay Art
Center in Seattle) only cheaper. I have had some fumes even using the vent,
but lately it seems to be working fine.
Joan in Alaska
-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy Emler
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Sunday, October 03, 1999 7:40 AM
Subject: Re: EnviroVent
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln? I
>recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
>comments?
>
>Thanks,
>Kathy
Carol Seidman on mon 4 oct 99
Hi Kathy: I have an Environvent with a Skutt 818 and am happy with the
results. This small kiln calls for only one air intake hole in the
lid. If I have a wide piece firing on the upper shelf, I dont want the
air to create a cool spot on that piece, I redirect the air intake by
replacing the top peep hole plug with one which I have drilled a small
hole. I then put a small triangular kiln post on its side to cover the
hole in the lid. When everything is all closed up and the fan is
running, I test the pull of the air by holding a lit match at the hole
to see the flame lean toward the inside of the kiln.
Hope this helps, Carol Seidman
Kathy Emler wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln? I
> recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
> comments?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
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Sandra M Benscoter on mon 4 oct 99
Hi Kathy!
I, too, have a Skutt 1027-3 with the Envirovent. Works great. My studio
is in my basement (old house) and all fumes are vented directly outside.
Kiln and vent were recently submerged in 2 1/2 feet of water, thanks to
Floyd. After water receded, waited a day, then turned on the vent. Runs
like a trooper!! Much to my surprise. Took quite a bit longer to dry
the kiln. Fired that late last night and it seems to be working. Have
my fingers crossed!!!
Sande
sbenscoter@juno.com
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K. Hurt on mon 4 oct 99
I had one and gave it away, thought it was practially useless. I opted for
a downdraft and that works wonderful, the cost is about the same.
Karin
----------
> From: Kathy Emler
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: Re: EnviroVent
> Date: Sunday, October 03, 1999 8:39 AM
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln?
I
> recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
> comments?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
Carol Seidman on tue 5 oct 99
Joan: If there are fumes, there is a leak, NOT GOOD. I had this
situation and Clayarter friend Cherly Litman suggested I go at it with
the duck tape. Sure enough when I traced the vent hose, I found the
block made to fit the hose into the window had enough little spaces to
let the fumes back into the house. Duck tape to the rescue, Red Green
would be proud. Carol Seidman
"Joan M. Woodward" wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi Kathy,
>
> I'm using the Orton vent which is the same thing (according to Clay Art
> Center in Seattle) only cheaper. I have had some fumes even using the vent,
> but lately it seems to be working fine.
>
> Joan in Alaska
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kathy Emler
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Date: Sunday, October 03, 1999 7:40 AM
> Subject: Re: EnviroVent
>
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln? I
> >recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
> >comments?
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Kathy
________________________________________________________
NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you?
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Carol Seidman on tue 5 oct 99
Hi Cindi: There was a discussion a while back on how much nasty fumes
will seep into the house from a kiln firing in the garage. Since you
have the venting system, if your garage is attached to your home, please
consider getting more venting hose (aluminum) and make a permanent
connection for your kiln. The fan blades will last longer if you let it
run for 12 hours after the kiln shuts down. Mine is over 6 years old
and running great. I block the intake hole after firing to slow
cooling. Most of the air is drawn into the fan from holes around the
housing, under the kiln. Happy firing
Carol Seidman
CINDI ANDERSON wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I use it with the automatic Skutt 1027. The best part is you don't have
> to crack the lid of the kiln at the beginning if you use it. Also, when
> I get lazy and don't put on the dryer vent piece to vent it out of the
> garage it gets pretty stinky in there. So it definitely helps keep the
> chemicals and smoke (from burning paper, etc) away. The only thing I
> wish is that it had a timer to turn it off when the kiln turned off.
> Even though the kiln is fully automatic, I still have to find
> approximately the right time to turn of the vent if I want slow cooling.
>
> Kathy Emler wrote:
> >
> > ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln? I
> > recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
> > comments?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Kathy
________________________________________________________
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David Cowdrill on wed 6 oct 99
I have had an Envirovent with my 1027 for two years and am very pleased
with it. Expensive but well made and well worth it. A couple of points:
- a few months ago when I changed elements I inspected it and found that
the vanes of the impeller needed to be cleaned / scraped. I also
lubricated it at that time. (Label on motor said to use "Anderol" but
Skutt technical support said 3-in-1 oil OK.)
- Skutt technical support also advised me that I could reduce corrosion of
the impeller by leaving the lid cracked open during early bisque and not
running the fan. This allows water vapor to exit out the top. I now leave
lid cracked until I don't see condensation on glass and then close the lid
and turn the fan on.
David Cowdrill in Great Falls, Virginia
Mary V Smith on sat 9 oct 99
Dear Kathy,
I have the EnviroVent on the Skutt 1027. I am very glad I made the
purchase, as my studio is in my basement. It takes out all the fumes,
and odors. My husband has always complained about the smell of even
greenware firings,(which I actually like the smell of!) and the
enviro-vent has really done a great job of keeping out the odor. I
would agree with the other potter who said she wished she could turn off
the fan by automatic timer, but I can live with that.
Kathy Emler wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln? I
> recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
> comments?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
V. Rivhar on sat 9 oct 99
We use the envirovent on our kiln, it is attached to the bottom of the kiln,
and it does help with the emmissions. Hartman&Rivet
Kathy Emler wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Is anyone on the list currently using the EnviroVent for the Skutt kiln? I
> recently purchased a Skutt 1027 and am looking into the EnvironVent. Any
> comments?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
Sheron Roberts on sun 10 oct 99
-------------------
I have a Skutt 1027KM and an EnviroVent.
No problemos here.
Dittoes on the wishes to turn off the fan
by auto timer and living with it as it is.
Sheron
Jim Cullen on mon 11 oct 99
Why can't the Environ-Vent be plugged into a household timer and that be set
for the amount of time you expect the firing to go? Is this solution too
simple? What am I missing?
KEEP CENTERED
Cullen
Napervlle, Illinois
deborah goletz on mon 11 oct 99
(snip)
>I would agree with the other potter who said she wished she could turn off
>the fan by automatic timer,
Mary, you should be able to turn off your Envirovent automatically by
simply plugging it into an inexpensive light timer and setting it
appropriately.
DeBorah Goletz
CINDI ANDERSON on tue 12 oct 99
You can estimate, but you can never predict exactly when the kiln will
turn off because it depends on how fast it ramped, etc. So on the one
had you could turn it off too soon and the glazes would contaminate.
But if you wait too long they would cool too far too fast. It would
just be nicer if it were tied into the kiln electronics.
Jim Cullen wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Why can't the Environ-Vent be plugged into a household timer and that be set
> for the amount of time you expect the firing to go? Is this solution too
> simple? What am I missing?
>
> KEEP CENTERED
> Cullen
> Napervlle, Illinois
amy parker on fri 15 oct 99
Cindi Anderson writes:
>You can estimate, but you can never predict exactly when the kiln will
>turn off because it depends on how fast it ramped, etc. So on the one
>had you could turn it off too soon and the glazes would contaminate.
>But if you wait too long they would cool too far too fast. It would
>just be nicer if it were tied into the kiln electronics.
I just proofread the manual for the new controller that Paragon is coming
out with. This was one of the features - you could plug the controller into
an outlet on the controller & tell it when to shut off - I don't have the
manual any more, so I can't be more specific.
Here's another example of vendors listening to Clayart & trying to use our
suggestions! Thanks, Arnold Howard!
amy parker Lithonia, GA
amyp@sd-software.com
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