Marshia Hall on sat 26 jul 97
Hi;
I am trying to evaluate my best buy in terms of size and
performance for a propane kiln which is a portable size. I am given
information from Axner for an Olympic "Torch Bearer" model @ ll cu. ft.
and around $1,200 without safety features.
Is anyone out there successfully using an under 12 cu. ft. sized
downdraft or updraft kiln which is very portable, reliable and has good
reduction results?
Before my investment I'd greatly appreciate hearing of your
experience and getting your recommendations. I am currently using a 24
cu. ft. Olsen kiln which I dearly love, firing to cone 10, but it can
not go with me in my next two year transition.
Thanks a bunch!
Norman van der Sluys on sun 6 feb 00
I purchased an Olympic 23 Raku kiln (7.5 cu ft) and fire it with propane. There
are some things I would change about it but I cannot fault the results I get, an
it has proven to be quite versatile.
I am thinking of converting the raising method for the "top hat" from the existi
crank to a counterweight system. The crank is too slow for convenient one-man ra
operation, and there is considerable vibration when raising an lowering. This
means you had better be sure your shelves are supported in rock-solid fashion! I
got careless once and had the top shelf come down and break half a shelf full of
greenware. I think substituting a counterweight will eliminate most of this
problem, and as I said, I am well pleased with the way it fires.
Norman van der Sluys
Jackpottery!
Lorraine Pierce wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi Norm, Which small gas updraft kiln did you purchase? Its good to hear you'r
> so satisfied with the results you're getting. Lori in New Port Richey, Fl.
>
> Norman van der Sluys wrote:
>
> > ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > Mel, you are right! There is more to even firing than kiln design, and it is
> > not practical to run one like a microwave - toss in the burrito and set the
> > timer. Shortly after ordering my little gas updraft kiln I talked to a
> > neighboring potter who said, "Oh no, you didn't buy one of those! I have one
> > and it is terrible! I fired a load of stoneware and there was a 2 cone
> > difference from top to bottom! I only use it for raku now, where it doesn't
> > matter."
> > Well, I fired mine up when it came, with cone packs all over the place, and
> > there was maybe a 1/2 cone difference between all the cone packs. I have
> > since gotten more variable results but sill acceptable to me, and I
> > attribute these not to the design of the kiln, but to variations in stacking
> > and in firing schedule, the faster times yielding the more uneven results.
> > Of course, I followed the manufacturer's instructions for a starting point,
> > an advantage you don't have with a homemade kiln. I consider that part of
> > what I paid for, and the value of three kiln loads equaled the price I paid
> > for the kiln.
> >
> > Norman van der Sluys
> > Jackpottery!
> >
> >
> > mel jacobson wrote:
> >
> > > ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > >
> > > i am always in hopes that all sets will fall at the same time.
> > >
> > > if they do not, i change things around, add gas, take away gas,
> > > open damper, close damper, high gas on one side, then the other.
> > > but, if cones are not dropping, god almighty, do something.
> > > don't just sit there and fret about the dumb kiln you have.
> > >
> > > a great many folks have good kilns, and they do not know it.
> > >
> > > mel/mn
> > >
> > > http://www.pclink.com/melpots (website)
> > > from minnetonka, minnesota, u.s.a.
Snail Scott on sun 28 jan 01
At 04:05 PM 1/28/01 -0800, you wrote:
>Hello Clayarters
>I need advice on kilns. I gave up potting 25 years ago and am starting
>again. We used to have a propane fired downdraft kiln in our field which my
>husband made but for various reasons I now want to go for a much smaller
>indoor kiln. I have two questions:
>(a) Is it still true that you can't do reduction work in an electric kiln or
>are there models available now with elements that will stand up to it?
>(b) Assuming that a gas kiln is necessary, are there such things as small
>propane-fired kilns that will go to cone 10. By small I mean two or three
>cubic feet inside. The suppliers I have checked so far don't make anything
>smaller than 7 cu ft.
>Thanks in anticipation! Gillian
Check the archives for much discussion
of dual-firing kiln conversions. They
are electric kilns which use the
elements to hit temperature with an
assist from a small propane burner
to induce reduction. Less exhaust heat
that a true gas-fired kiln, but good
reduction. It doesn't take much gas.
Just drill a hole in the center of the
floor for a big Bunsen burner. You will
need to coat your elements with ITC,
though, to protect against the reduction.
-Snail
George Mackie on sun 28 jan 01
Hello Clayarters
I need advice on kilns. I gave up potting 25 years ago and am starting
again. We used to have a propane fired downdraft kiln in our field which my
husband made but for various reasons I now want to go for a much smaller
indoor kiln. I have two questions:
(a) Is it still true that you can't do reduction work in an electric kiln or
are there models available now with elements that will stand up to it?
(b) Assuming that a gas kiln is necessary, are there such things as small
propane-fired kilns that will go to cone 10. By small I mean two or three
cubic feet inside. The suppliers I have checked so far don't make anything
smaller than 7 cu ft.
Thanks in anticipation! Gillian
Charles Moore on sun 28 jan 01
Gillian,
You might try Contemporary Kiln Inc. in Novato, California. They produce
gas and electic kilns. Their gas kilns (at least the one I bought years
ago) are movable and very efficient.
Address 24 C Galli Drive, Novato, CA 94949. Phone: 415-883-8921.
Charles Moore
camoore33@earthlink.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "George Mackie"
To:
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2001 4:05 PM
Subject: Re: small gas kiln
> Hello Clayarters
> I need advice on kilns. I gave up potting 25 years ago and am starting
> again. We used to have a propane fired downdraft kiln in our field which
my
> husband made but for various reasons I now want to go for a much smaller
> indoor kiln. I have two questions:
> (a) Is it still true that you can't do reduction work in an electric kiln
or
> are there models available now with elements that will stand up to it?
> (b) Assuming that a gas kiln is necessary, are there such things as small
> propane-fired kilns that will go to cone 10. By small I mean two or three
> cubic feet inside. The suppliers I have checked so far don't make anything
> smaller than 7 cu ft.
> Thanks in anticipation! Gillian
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Charles Moore on mon 29 jan 01
Gillian,
Today I received a copy of the latest Pottery Making Illustrated. There,
toward the end of the issue, is Mel demonstrating exactly how to turn an
electric kiln into a gas/electric kiln. Check it out.
Charles
----- Original Message -----
From: "Snail Scott"
To:
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2001 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: small gas kiln
> At 04:05 PM 1/28/01 -0800, you wrote:
> >Hello Clayarters
> >I need advice on kilns. I gave up potting 25 years ago and am starting
> >again. We used to have a propane fired downdraft kiln in our field which
my
> >husband made but for various reasons I now want to go for a much smaller
> >indoor kiln. I have two questions:
> >(a) Is it still true that you can't do reduction work in an electric kiln
or
> >are there models available now with elements that will stand up to it?
> >(b) Assuming that a gas kiln is necessary, are there such things as small
> >propane-fired kilns that will go to cone 10. By small I mean two or three
> >cubic feet inside. The suppliers I have checked so far don't make
anything
> >smaller than 7 cu ft.
> >Thanks in anticipation! Gillian
Mike Gordon on mon 29 jan 01
Gillian,
My school bought a Contemporary kiln - 15cu foot updraft. It fires just
fine and is moveable also. BUT..... There are NO PEEPHOLES, and the kiln
setter is directly above one of the burner ports. Its cracking very
badley either due to construction or poor handling by the construction
crew that put it into place.Either way I would have preffered an Alpine
and told the District my preference but of course nobody listened, Mike
Gordon
Paul Bailey / Janet Moe on tue 30 jan 01
Hi Gillian,
Check out Summit Gas Kilns at < http://swiftweb.com/summit/ >
They will also send out a small catalogue promptly,
They have gas kilns from 1.25 cu. ft to 9 cu.ft and also sell conversion kits and
burners to convert your electric kiln to gas. Good Luck!
Janet, on the sunny west coast of British Columbia!
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