John Post on mon 26 apr 10
Hi Taylor,
Steve Branfman's book "Raku - A Practical Approach" has a nice chapter
on recycling old kilns.
I recycled one and turned it into a raku/gas kiln. I used a regulator
and burner from Ward Burner. I cut a burner port in the side, just
level with the floor. Then I used 3 firebricks as kiln posts. With
this type of project, remember to plan for the heat to have a way to
move through the kiln. I used shelves that were smaller than you
would normally put in a kiln that size if it was firing with electric,
that way the heat could flow around the sides. Half shelves work
great too.
The top exit flue needs to be larger than the burner port. This way
you can control reduction by covering part of it with an old kiln shelf.
Before you spend money wrapping it in fiber, try firing it first.
I easily hit cone 10 in mine in less than 2 hours. I coated the
interior with itc 100. I think the biggest issue you will run into is
the kiln cooling too quickly. You could try reigniting the burner at
around 1800 to slow down the cooling.
If I was to do this again, I would get a little bunsen burner from
Frey scientific supply and use that after the firing to slow the
cooling down.
John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan
:: cone 6 glaze website :: http://www.johnpost.us
:: elementary art website :: http://www.wemakeart.org
:: youtube channel :: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrPostArtTeacher
> I've been gifted another electric kiln. It has some problems with the
> electrical that are too major to fix so I am going to be converting it
> to a gas/wood kiln similar to what was in CM Feb 2004. Does anyone
> know of other articles about conversion projects?
>
> I want to be able to use this kiln for my regular low-fire work as
> well as some high-fire work with wood and perhaps even some salt. I
> need to add some insulation to this 3 inch brick kiln and wanted to
> add some blanket outside the brick but inside the shell. If I wanted
> to also coat the inside with itc (it's old brick everyone) what kind
> would I use and should I patch in the element grooves while I'm at it?
Taylor Hendrix on mon 26 apr 10
Howdy everybody,
I've been gifted another electric kiln. It has some problems with the
electrical that are too major to fix so I am going to be converting it
to a gas/wood kiln similar to what was in CM Feb 2004. Does anyone
know of other articles about conversion projects?
I want to be able to use this kiln for my regular low-fire work as
well as some high-fire work with wood and perhaps even some salt. I
need to add some insulation to this 3 inch brick kiln and wanted to
add some blanket outside the brick but inside the shell. If I wanted
to also coat the inside with itc (it's old brick everyone) what kind
would I use and should I patch in the element grooves while I'm at it?
I've already begun building a nice little kiln hut to keep it out of
the rain. Marsha made me stop putting the shingles on top to help her
with the yard work. YUCK!
Hope everyone is doing well and doing clay,
Taylor, in Rockport TX
wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
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Adron Lilly on mon 26 apr 10
Taylor,
Google "electric to gas kiln conversion" without the quotes. Several
blogs, sites etc devoted to this. Some include using wood fuel also.
=3D46our or five hits in the "potters.org" archive.
Sounds like a fun project.
Adron
Lee Love on tue 27 apr 10
John, I've been thinking about building a small "coffin kiln", to fire up
to temp and then fill with charcoal at the end. Maybe charcoal would hel=
=3D
p
keep a "skinny" kiln not cool too fast. You could even put it in the
firebox if you have a brick base.
--
Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mashikopots.blogspot.com/
=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel t=
he
artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi
David Todd on wed 28 apr 10
HI gang
I am going to convert an old electric kiln according to the method outline=
d
in CM Feb 2004 this summer. I have similar questions to Taylor about
treating the old bricks but also about glazes. Very few suggested glazes
shown in the article are of interest. Only having done only electric firing
and developing glazes for that, is it a whole new set of glazes when you ar=
e
working with wood and salt? Would anyone share any glazes that look more
interesting than those shown that would work with this conversion.
Have a good one
David Todd
www.otterrafting.com
John Post on mon 3 may 10
Taylor,
I like the itc for a couple of reasons on old kilns. One is that I
when you spray it or brush it on, it forms a slightly hard surface on
the face of the brick. If your kiln is in poor shape this might make
it hold together a little better. It's also supposed to reflect heat
inward, though I am not a scientist, and don't have any data to
support or refute this claim. I have seen people spray it on fiber
and then heat the fiber with a torch with their bare hand behind it.
Evidently it must do something to keep them from burning their skin.
I like how it makes an old kiln look new. Sometimes I refurbish old
kilns to resell them. I replace elements, sitter tubes and/or
switches. If during this process I spray or brush the itc on the kiln
it really makes it look new again.
If it saves just a little bit of fuel each firing, the stuff will
eventually pay for itself.
John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan
:: cone 6 glaze website :: http://www.johnpost.us
:: elementary art website :: http://www.wemakeart.org
:: youtube channel :: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrPostArtTeacher
> Thanks John,
>
> Thanks for the Branfman reminder. The brick is in only okay shape. If
> I wash the hell out of it and dry it, do you think the itc 100 would
> be worth it?
>
douglas fur on tue 4 may 10
John
I'm getting ready to do a electric to propane conversion. When you say you
use ITC on old kilns which product number is that?
DRB
Burien
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