Robin Wolf on sun 1 apr 07
My basic situation boils down to this -
I have to have a kiln. Period.
I hate to think about wasting the cone 10 clay and glazes that I currently
have. I also don't want to waste the money that I have invested in the
rebuilt body of this old Cress. Spending another $300 to replace the
coils again seems like a foolish decision, based on how this exercise turned
out for me. If there were a way to get the electric elements pre-coated,
good for cone 10 reduction and ready to install, I would do it in a minute.
I did love the firing results of the dual fuel, and Lee's post with the
Japanese kiln would be the answer for me, if that kiln was available
stateside
Since I have read many posts that boil down to this same situation, will a
kiln company stateside create a dual fuel kiln? If the Japanese have one,
and it passes Lee's exams, why is there no such kiln available here? I
would love to keep my reduction results and also be more diligent in the
environmental side effects of my artistic passion. I am a relative newbie,
but I intend to continue on this clay path, and want to build a pottery
foundation that is solid and will support my passion's growth for many years
to come. Does anyone out there know of a company that makes the larger
solid elements that can be retrofitted to an existing kiln? If there are
none available, then I think that I need to concentrate on the straight gas
option.
I would love advice on what gas burner system would be the best money spent.
Hopefully one that would be able handle the 7cu ft Cress kiln, making it a
straight gas kiln , and being able to step up and possibly fire a 12 - 15 cu
ft MFT in the near future. Or, if I could use a single burner on the Cress,
and that same burner plus one identical one of that same burner on an MFT.
Just trying to not waste any of my previous $$ invested.
Robin Wolf
Rt 2 Box 142W
Kingfisher, OK 73750
robinwolf@pldi.net
405.368.0919
William & Susan Schran User on sun 1 apr 07
On 4/1/07 12:22 PM, "Robin Wolf" wrote:
> Since I have read many posts that boil down to this same situation, will a
> kiln company stateside create a dual fuel kiln? If the Japanese have one,
> and it passes Lee's exams, why is there no such kiln available here?
I would think both cost and safety issues probably have prevented a US kiln
company from producing such a kiln.
L&L made up a prototype for somebody who's name escapes me, and I've had
discussions with Stephen Lewicki about this. First thing he asked me was if
I thought there was a market for such a kiln. The other thing was being able
to build one that would be UL and CSA (AGA) certified.
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Duff bogen on sun 1 apr 07
I remember reading about the Natzlers and recall they got reduction in an electric kiln by stoking with splinters or moth balls through the spys. A guy at a housing coference I went to used the saying- Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. That is to say that in getting started where yer at and solving the problems as they arise you get there quuicker than trying to solve all the problems you can imagine. Also you may end up somewhere you could never imagine. How 'bout adding 5% colemanite to all the glzes, fire to C5 and reduce with broom straws?
Duff
Robin Wolf wrote:
My basic situation boils down to this -
I have to have a kiln. Period.
I hate to think about wasting the cone 10 clay and glazes that I currently
have. I also don't want to waste the money that I have invested in the
rebuilt body of this old Cress. Spending another $300 to replace the
coils again seems like a foolish decision, based on how this exercise turned
out for me. If there were a way to get the electric elements pre-coated,
good for cone 10 reduction and ready to install, I would do it in a minute.
I did love the firing results of the dual fuel, and Lee's post with the
Japanese kiln would be the answer for me, if that kiln was available
stateside
Since I have read many posts that boil down to this same situation, will a
kiln company stateside create a dual fuel kiln? If the Japanese have one,
and it passes Lee's exams, why is there no such kiln available here? I
would love to keep my reduction results and also be more diligent in the
environmental side effects of my artistic passion. I am a relative newbie,
but I intend to continue on this clay path, and want to build a pottery
foundation that is solid and will support my passion's growth for many years
to come. Does anyone out there know of a company that makes the larger
solid elements that can be retrofitted to an existing kiln? If there are
none available, then I think that I need to concentrate on the straight gas
option.
I would love advice on what gas burner system would be the best money spent.
Hopefully one that would be able handle the 7cu ft Cress kiln, making it a
straight gas kiln , and being able to step up and possibly fire a 12 - 15 cu
ft MFT in the near future. Or, if I could use a single burner on the Cress,
and that same burner plus one identical one of that same burner on an MFT.
Just trying to not waste any of my previous $$ invested.
Robin Wolf
Rt 2 Box 142W
Kingfisher, OK 73750
robinwolf@pldi.net
405.368.0919
______________________________________________________________________________
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.
---------------------------------
Looking for earth-friendly autos?
Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.
Lee Love on mon 2 apr 07
On 4/2/07, Robin Wolf wrote:
> Since I have read many posts that boil down to this same situation, will a
> kiln company stateside create a dual fuel kiln? If the Japanese have one,
> and it passes Lee's exams, why is there no such kiln available here?
Hi Robin,
It is similar to the reasons Toyota makes a hybrid car and
GM doesn't: the cost of energy. Japan leads the world is photo
voltaic solar energy. One of the big reasons is because electricity
costs so much more here. Maybe you noticed the price sticker on that
little electric/propane kiln. I am not sure potters are willing to
pay the price for these kilns. They are built better here because of
the cost of electric.
I was hoping someone would chime in here who has had
success with converting coil element electric kilns into hybrid gas
kilns. Maybe they are only experimental?
One thing that occurred to me: you mentioned measuring
reduction outside the kiln. Don't you want to measure inside the
kiln? At the flue opening, oxygen is getting into the mix. Is it
possible, that you reduced too heavily?
--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
http://potters.blogspot.com/
"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts." -
Henry David Thoreau
"Let the beauty we love be what we do." - Rumi
Lee Love on mon 2 apr 07
On 4/2/07, Duff bogen wrote:
>reduce with broom straws?
> Duff
Duff,
Before the propane/electric combos here, they used a box
beneath the electric kiln that had an opening into the kiln.
Charcoal is burnt in the box and that causes reduction in the kiln.
I am guessing you don't need a lot of gas or charcoal to get reduction
in an electric kiln. If you use the least possible, it might help
preserve the ITC treated elements.
I hope Robin can get into direct contact with someone who
regularly fires this modification. I think it is the best way to
figure things out.
--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
http://potters.blogspot.com/
"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts." -
Henry David Thoreau
"Let the beauty we love be what we do." - Rumi
| |
|
