John Post on sat 25 sep 10
I have my studio in a building that is separate from my house. It's a
former 2 1/2 car garage that has been split down the middle. One side
is finished which is where I work. I have a one inch natural gas line
that feeds into a heater suspended from the ceiling on that side. The
other side is mostly unfinished which is where I have my electric kilns.
I am looking into installing a gas kiln on the unfinished side. I
have contacted the building department in my city to ask them about
any regulations regarding the installation of a gas kiln.
I don't need a huge kiln as I make most of my income as an elementary
art teacher. I am not a full time potter. I have looked at Olympic
updraft kilns. The upside to these kilns is that I can show the kiln
documentation to the city's mechanical inspector and he will know what
I am talking about. The city that I live in is a dense suburban area
so I do not wish to build a kiln outdoors.
What I am looking for is advice on which way to approach this
project. The project being a gas kiln in a detached garage building
that has a one inch natural gas line.
There might be a better kiln for just a bit more money, or there may
be a downside to the Olympic updraft kilns I am looking at. http://cl.ly/c=
32b146bea94aee575c2
(the 2827G or the 2831G)
Olympic updraft kilns run around two thousand. Then I have to get the
duct work to vent the kiln through the roof. I already have a
contractor to extend the gas line to where I need it, he's a very
thorough guy.
I know that these items are within the range of my budget, but before
I jump in, I thought I would ask if there were other ways to spend
$3000 on a gas kiln.
Thanks,
John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan
http://www.johnpost.us
Brandon Phillips on sat 25 sep 10
John-
I would stay away from the Olympic kilns. I know a couple folks who are
not happy with them. Both the kilns and their lack of any type of
support.
The other problem with those updrafts is that you'll never be able to vent
them properly inside. All that heat coming out the top...I don't know
about that. A downdraft with a stack going out the roof(or out the wall
and up) would be a better solution.
You'd be far better off building a small downdraft. You could easily
build one for under $3000 and get into the 10-12 cu.ft range. My only
concern is your gas line. 1" line with residential pressure...I don't
know, it might be enough for a small kiln. Depends on the kiln you want.
As far as the building inspectors go...when i built my first gas kiln i
took them scale drawings, detailed material lists,
approvals/certifications for the various parts(burners) all neatly
presented in a packet. They saw that I knew what I was doing. Confidence
can make a good impression. Kilns are a gray area in most areas building
codes and you are at the inspectors mercy. If he doesn't think you know
what you're doing they can shut you down.
Don't forget about insurance too.
Brandon Phillips
www.supportyourlocalpotter.com
> I have my studio in a building that is separate from my house. It's a
> former 2 1/2 car garage that has been split down the middle. One side
> is finished which is where I work. I have a one inch natural gas line
> that feeds into a heater suspended from the ceiling on that side. The
> other side is mostly unfinished which is where I have my electric kilns.
>
> I am looking into installing a gas kiln on the unfinished side. I
> have contacted the building department in my city to ask them about
> any regulations regarding the installation of a gas kiln.
>
> I don't need a huge kiln as I make most of my income as an elementary
> art teacher. I am not a full time potter. I have looked at Olympic
> updraft kilns. The upside to these kilns is that I can show the kiln
> documentation to the city's mechanical inspector and he will know what
> I am talking about. The city that I live in is a dense suburban area
> so I do not wish to build a kiln outdoors.
>
> What I am looking for is advice on which way to approach this
> project. The project being a gas kiln in a detached garage building
> that has a one inch natural gas line.
>
> There might be a better kiln for just a bit more money, or there may
> be a downside to the Olympic updraft kilns I am looking at.
> http://cl.ly/c32b146bea94aee575c2
> (the 2827G or the 2831G)
>
> Olympic updraft kilns run around two thousand. Then I have to get the
> duct work to vent the kiln through the roof. I already have a
> contractor to extend the gas line to where I need it, he's a very
> thorough guy.
>
> I know that these items are within the range of my budget, but before
> I jump in, I thought I would ask if there were other ways to spend
> $3000 on a gas kiln.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John Post
> Sterling Heights, Michigan
>
> http://www.johnpost.us
>
William & Susan Schran User on sat 25 sep 10
On 9/25/10 10:08 AM, "John Post" wrote:
> I have my studio in a building that is separate from my house. It's a
> former 2 1/2 car garage that has been split down the middle. One side
> is finished which is where I work. I have a one inch natural gas line
> that feeds into a heater suspended from the ceiling on that side. The
> other side is mostly unfinished which is where I have my electric kilns.
>
> I am looking into installing a gas kiln on the unfinished side. I
> have contacted the building department in my city to ask them about
> any regulations regarding the installation of a gas kiln.
>
> I don't need a huge kiln as I make most of my income as an elementary
> art teacher. I am not a full time potter. I have looked at Olympic
> updraft kilns. The upside to these kilns is that I can show the kiln
> documentation to the city's mechanical inspector and he will know what
> I am talking about. The city that I live in is a dense suburban area
> so I do not wish to build a kiln outdoors.
Based on my experience with the kiln and near worthless support, I can't
recommend you purchase an Olympic updraft kiln. Please read from my web sit=
e
my experience and how I got it to work.
I would suggest you save some more and buy a downdraft kiln.
The Olympic downdraft 9 cu ft is about $5400 and even though components are
UL or CSA approved, the kiln is not and that may prevent approval from the
city.
I would recommend the lower cost Bailey downdraft kiln that is CSA
certified. When city official's see that certification it will go a long wa=
y
in finding their approval.
Here's the site for their STV kilns:
http://www.baileypottery.com/kilns/studiostv.htm
The STV8 (8 cu ft stacking space is $4900.
Another option would be to buy Mel's kiln book and build your own kiln.
Contact Marc Ward at Ward Burners for a system that will work with the size
and design of the kiln. With the proper safety equipment on the burner
system and the right words to use with city officials, you can have a good
kiln for less and the satisfaction of building it yourself.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
C Sullivan on sun 26 sep 10
Hey John
I'm with Bill on this one. Having experienced the Olympic kiln myself, it'=
s
not one i'd recommend. Altho, i found the folks at Olympic very helpful an=
d
quite wonderful actually, the kiln under-performs and is difficult to work
with..
Have you considered a Geil ? Think that several years ago, i explored
information on their kilns, and think they may be a possibility . . . .
Have no experience with them however.
Chae
On Sat, Sep 25, 2010 at 7:08 AM, John Post wrote=
:
> I have my studio in a building that is separate from my house. It's a
> former 2 1/2 car garage that has been split down the middle. One side
> is finished which is where I work. I have a one inch natural gas line
> that feeds into a heater suspended from the ceiling on that side. The
> other side is mostly unfinished which is where I have my electric kilns.
>
> I am looking into installing a gas kiln on the unfinished side. I
> have contacted the building department in my city to ask them about
> any regulations regarding the installation of a gas kiln.
>
> I don't need a huge kiln as I make most of my income as an elementary
> art teacher. I am not a full time potter. I have looked at Olympic
> updraft kilns. The upside to these kilns is that I can show the kiln
> documentation to the city's mechanical inspector and he will know what
> I am talking about. The city that I live in is a dense suburban area
> so I do not wish to build a kiln outdoors.
>
> What I am looking for is advice on which way to approach this
> project. The project being a gas kiln in a detached garage building
> that has a one inch natural gas line.
>
> There might be a better kiln for just a bit more money, or there may
> be a downside to the Olympic updraft kilns I am looking at.
> http://cl.ly/c32b146bea94aee575c2
> (the 2827G or the 2831G)
>
> Olympic updraft kilns run around two thousand. Then I have to get the
> duct work to vent the kiln through the roof. I already have a
> contractor to extend the gas line to where I need it, he's a very
> thorough guy.
>
> I know that these items are within the range of my budget, but before
> I jump in, I thought I would ask if there were other ways to spend
> $3000 on a gas kiln.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John Post
> Sterling Heights, Michigan
>
> http://www.johnpost.us
>
Shula on sun 26 sep 10
I'm reading this thread with great interest since I, too, would like to hav=
e a gas kiln in addition to my L&L electric. And if I could get a Geil kiln=
for $3,000, there would be one sitting in my back yard right now.
Current prices for Geil (per the Geil website, kilns.com);
DBL-6 (6 cu ft setting space) brick (fiber not available) $8,733 US
DBL-8 (8 cu ft setting space, fiber or brick) $10,544 US
And then there is fiber medium duty, 802, $5,887 US
Shula
Desert Hot Springs, California USA
-----Original Message-----
>From: C Sullivan
>Have you considered a Geil ? Think that several years ago, i explored
>information on their kilns, and think they may be a possibility . . . .
>Have no experience with them however.
>Chae
>
>
>
>On Sat, Sep 25, 2010 at 7:08 AM, John Post wrot=
e:
>
>> I have my studio in a building that is separate from my house. It's a
>> former 2 1/2 car garage that has been split down the middle. One side
>> is finished which is where I work. I have a one inch natural gas line
>> that feeds into a heater suspended from the ceiling on that side. The
>> other side is mostly unfinished which is where I have my electric kilns.
>>
>> I am looking into installing a gas kiln on the unfinished side. I
>> have contacted the building department in my city to ask them about
>> any regulations regarding the installation of a gas kiln.
>>
>> I don't need a huge kiln as I make most of my income as an elementary
>> art teacher. I am not a full time potter. I have looked at Olympic
>> updraft kilns. The upside to these kilns is that I can show the kiln
>> documentation to the city's mechanical inspector and he will know what
>> I am talking about. The city that I live in is a dense suburban area
>> so I do not wish to build a kiln outdoors.
>>
>> What I am looking for is advice on which way to approach this
>> project. The project being a gas kiln in a detached garage building
>> that has a one inch natural gas line.
>>
>> There might be a better kiln for just a bit more money, or there may
>> be a downside to the Olympic updraft kilns I am looking at.
>> http://cl.ly/c32b146bea94aee575c2
>> (the 2827G or the 2831G)
>>
>> Olympic updraft kilns run around two thousand. Then I have to get the
>> duct work to vent the kiln through the roof. I already have a
>> contractor to extend the gas line to where I need it, he's a very
>> thorough guy.
>>
>> I know that these items are within the range of my budget, but before
>> I jump in, I thought I would ask if there were other ways to spend
>> $3000 on a gas kiln.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> John Post
>> Sterling Heights, Michigan
>>
>> http://www.johnpost.us
>>
Shula
Desert Hot Springs, California USA
www.claymystique.etsy.com
douglas fur on mon 27 sep 10
John
If you want a kiln and have $3k get mel's book. (not that its the only book
out there but it will give a overview of contemporary kilns) Check it out
and then think if you have the time (summer vacation?) an dwill to build
your own.
DRB
Seola Creek
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