William & Susan Schran User on fri 10 sep 10
On 9/10/10 12:16 AM, "Patti Petit" wrote:
> I am firing a Cress and a Knight kiln -both electric. New switches and
> elements have Cress firing like NASA and the Knight is a delight because =
of
> the clock to backup the kiln sitter. One of my studio mates just began w=
iring
> her Computerized kilns to fire manually because of problems with the
> computers.
Patti,
This question has been discussed at various times previously and is not
directed only to you, so I ask all folks firing electric (and some gas
kilns) - Do you use the Kilnsitter to fire your kiln? By this, I mean to
ask, do you place a small cone or bar in the Kilnsitter and allow that to
shut off your kiln, ending your firing? If you fire this way, do you also
use witness cones?
I come at this with the strong opinion that the Kilnsitter should ONLY be
used as a back-up device to shut down the kiln should you not be at the kil=
n
when the witness cones indicate the firing is complete. I am also of the
opinion that witness cones should be used in kilns with programmed firing
schedules. Witness cones are a relatively inexpensive devices to most
accurately provide you with a record of what happened with the work heat in
the firing, even if you don't look at them during the firing. To rely only
on a mechanical device or a thermocouple, both which do degrade over time,
invites trouble.
I have a manual and programmable kiln in my studio and now all programmable
electric kilns at school. I use witness cones in ALL firings. IMHO, to do
otherwise (not use witness cones) is simply foolish.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Lis Allison on sun 12 sep 10
On September 10, 2010, William & Susan Schran User wrote:
> >
> This question has been discussed at various times previously and is not
> directed only to you, so I ask all folks firing electric (and some gas
> kilns) - Do you use the Kilnsitter to fire your kiln? By this, I mean
> to ask, do you place a small cone or bar in the Kilnsitter and allow
> that to shut off your kiln, ending your firing? If you fire this way,
> do you also use witness cones?
You ask what others firing electric do.
My main glazes are both touchy. I can tell if the firing did not get hot
enough by a few degrees, or if it went over by a few degrees. The ware
will still be alright, but not the best it can be. I can see if the temp
starts to drift. The kiln sitter can be adjusted a wee bit to accomodate
as the elements wear. So I don't use witness cones at all. They don't tell
me anything my glazes don't, they cost money, and they take space in the
kiln.
Lis
--
Elisabeth Allison
Pine Ridge Studio
website: www.pine-ridge.ca
Pottery blog: www.studio-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
Garden blog: www.garden-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
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