Steven Lederman on fri 18 jul 08
A pottery studio closed down nearby and I was able to
take possession of two computer-controlled Skutt
kilns, and more glazes, sprays and tools than I can
count.
I'm trying to decide if I should try and set them up
in my basement, or if I should try and set up a firing
studio in the garage.
Either way I'm sure I'll have to get an additional
breaker panel installed as both of these kilns are 240
power.
The problem with the garage is that it's not heated,
and it gets mighty cold in Toronto during the Winter.
Anyone have experience storing a computer-controlled
kiln outside in a garage or shed during Winter?
The stairs down to our basement are extremely narrow -
the kilns won't fit down fully assembled - it seems
like a hassle to disassemble them into sections.
My last question for now - during transport some of
the firebrick from the bottom of one of the kilns
chipped away...I have the pieces - should I just place
them back in, or can they be reattached (I would think
the hot kiln would melt and annihilate any adhesive)
or do they have to be replaced?
I appreciate any constructive comments! ; )
Regards,
Steven
Joseph Herbert on sat 19 jul 08
Steve wrote: A pottery studio closed down nearby and I was able to take
possession of two computer-controlled Skutt kilns, and more glazes, sprays
and tools than I can count. I'm trying to decide if I should try and set
them up in my basement, or if I should try and set up a firing studio in the
garage.
If you have a choice, do not put the kilns in your basement. There is some
fire danger but the big downside is the release of vapors from firing into
the atmosphere of your house. Kiln venting will help but not totally
eliminate the vapors.
Give yourself some distance from both hazards, since you can.
Joe
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Maid O'Mud on sat 19 jul 08
I live relatively near you, Steven, and I've
always had my kilns either in the unheated
garage, or an unheated shed. As long as
they're kept dry, there should be no problems.
And yes, one of mine has a computer controller.
Been in the shed for about 3 years now.
Sam Cuttell
Maid O'Mud Pottery
RR 1
Melbourne, Ontario
N0L 1T0
CANADA
"First, the clay told me what to do.
Then, I told the clay what to do.
Now, we co-operate."
sam 1994
http://www.ody.ca/~scuttell/
scuttell@ody.ca
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Steven Lederman
Sent: July 18, 2008 9:01 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Kilns In Sub-Zero Temperatures?
A pottery studio closed down nearby and I was able to
take possession of two computer-controlled Skutt
kilns, and more glazes, sprays and tools than I can
count.
I'm trying to decide if I should try and set them up
in my basement, or if I should try and set up a firing
studio in the garage.
Either way I'm sure I'll have to get an additional
breaker panel installed as both of these kilns are 240
power.
The problem with the garage is that it's not heated,
and it gets mighty cold in Toronto during the Winter.
Anyone have experience storing a computer-controlled
kiln outside in a garage or shed during Winter?
The stairs down to our basement are extremely narrow -
the kilns won't fit down fully assembled - it seems
like a hassle to disassemble them into sections.
My last question for now - during transport some of
the firebrick from the bottom of one of the kilns
chipped away...I have the pieces - should I just place
them back in, or can they be reattached (I would think
the hot kiln would melt and annihilate any adhesive)
or do they have to be replaced?
I appreciate any constructive comments! ; )
Regards,
Steven
Larry Kruzan on sat 19 jul 08
Hi Steven,
I had a kiln in an unheated garage for some time and did not see any problems - but it not as cold here as your place is.
I know the last discussion about kilns in the basement was less than a year ago, so it should be in the archives. I personally would not sleep good with an automatic kiln under the floor - had one fire (not from a kiln) - don't want to go there again. The easier it is to check on the more likely you are to monitor it. No matter how good intentioned a person is I think if you have to go downstairs to check it, sooner or later it will just be a hassle and you will skip it................
No matter where you put the kiln get a kiln vent and use it every time you fire the kiln.
I have re-attached broken brick parts using element pins - use just like nail except you don't need a hammer. I used pliers to grip the pin and push it into the broken part and into the brick it came from. Replaceing the brick is very doable and one you try it you will see it's not that hard. I will replace any bricks that have broken when I change the elements. Un-stacking the Skutt is not that hard and it is the easiest way to change elements - the only way to change bricks.
CongradCongradulations
Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Steven Lederman
> A pottery studio closed down nearby and I was able to
> take possession of two computer-controlled Skutt
> kilns, and more glazes, sprays and tools than I can
> count.
> I'm trying to decide if I should try and set them up
> in my basement, or if I should try and set up a firing
> studio in the garage.
> Either way I'm sure I'll have to get an additional
> breaker panel installed as both of these kilns are 240
> power.
> The problem with the garage is that it's not heated,
> and it gets mighty cold in Toronto during the Winter.
> Anyone have experience storing a computer-controlled
> kiln outside in a garage or shed during Winter?
> The stairs down to our basement are extremely narrow -
> the kilns won't fit down fully assembled - it seems
> like a hassle to disassemble them into sections.
> My last question for now - during transport some of
> the firebrick from the bottom of one of the kilns
> chipped away...I have the pieces - should I just place
> them back in, or can they be reattached (I would think
> the hot kiln would melt and annihilate any adhesive)
> or do they have to be replaced?
> I appreciate any constructive comments! ; )
> Regards,
> Steven
David Berg on sat 19 jul 08
Steven,
It will be an even bigger hassle to have to carry all
those pots up and down the stairs for years to come.
In addition, you will have added expenses buying
hoods to hang above the kilns to make sure
vapors are safely removed from the house.
The kiln will be fine in the winter. Just don't let
your clay & glazes freeze.
You need to buy firebrick cement for the repairs.
Check with the manufacturer. You can buy brick
repair kits that have everything you need.
David
David Berg
dberg2@comcast.net
http://bergstoneware.com/
On Jul 18, 2008, at 9:00 PM, Steven Lederman wrote:
> .... - it seems
> like a hassle to disassemble them into sections.
> My last question for now - during transport some of
> the firebrick from the bottom of one of the kilns
> chipped away...I have the pieces - should I just place
> them back in, or can they be reattached (I would think
> the hot kiln would melt and annihilate any adhesive)
> or do they have to be replaced?
> I appreciate any constructive comments! ; )
> Regards,
> Steven
James F on sat 19 jul 08
> The problem with the garage is that it's not heated=2C
> and it gets mighty cold in Toronto during the Winter.
> Anyone have experience storing a computer-controlled
> kiln outside in a garage or shed during Winter?
Steven...
For two years before building my studio I worked in my basement=2C then car=
ried my pots out to my computer-controlled kilns in my unheated barn. Neve=
r had any problem with the kilns other than cooking a load of spiders that =
always took up residence in the kilns between firings. It gets plenty cold=
here too (Michigan)=2C and I fired in zero degree weather on many occasion=
s.
The only problem I can foresee with your arrangement is that your basement =
stairs will get steeper and steeper with each trip=2C and somehow more and =
more steps keep adding. And the distance between my house and my barn some=
how seemed to increase from 75 yards to about a mile and a half with each (=
cold) trip.
Best of luck to you.
...James
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Arnold Howard on tue 22 jul 08
From: "Steven Lederman"
> My last question for now - during transport some of
> the firebrick from the bottom of one of the kilns
> chipped away...I have the pieces - should I just place
> them back in, or can they be reattached
How large are the broken brick pieces, and where are they
located in the kiln? Usually, minor brick damage does not
affect the firings.
There are several ways to repair damaged bricks. You can
patch in a new piece or cement the old piece back in place.
You can also fill small damaged areas with firebrick powder
mixed with cement.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
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