Heather Bessey on sun 7 nov 10
The Skutt booklet says not to run the electric computerized kiln if it is i=
=3D
n a space where it is below freezing. It is already below freezing here an=
=3D
d the kiln is in an unheated garage. I was wondering if the reason for thi=
=3D
s is the computer components. If I warmed the computer first with a small =
=3D
electric heater could I then program it and fire? Or do other potters just=
=3D
turn the program on and fire when it is say 20 degrees out.
Would appreciate hearing what others do. I was considering moving it into =
=3D
the basement until I read recent posts on new kid on the block.
Thanks
Heather =3D
William & Susan Schran User on sun 7 nov 10
On 11/7/10 6:36 AM, "Heather Bessey" wrote:
> The Skutt booklet says not to run the electric computerized kiln if it is=
in a
> space where it is below freezing. It is already below freezing here and =
the
> kiln is in an unheated garage. I was wondering if the reason for this is=
the
> computer components. If I warmed the computer first with a small electri=
c
> heater could I then program it and fire? Or do other potters just turn t=
he
> program on and fire when it is say 20 degrees out.
We have our electric kilns, all programmable kilns in an unconditioned kiln
building at school. It is the controller, not the rest of the kiln that has
a narrow operating temperature range. The range is generally 32F - 120F.
This is common to all programmable kilns.
We program our kilns to switch on about 2-3 hours before we arrive to
campus.
We have more issues with keeping the controllers cool enough during warmer
weather. We run larger fans to create cross-ventilation and monitor the
temperature of the controller.
The kiln will operate at cooler and hotter temperatures than the recommende=
d
range, but, especially heat, may degrade the controller sooner.
Having a small heater set on low, aimed towards the controller when the
temperature gets very cold makes sense to start the firing until the kiln
has warmed up and will provide the warmth itself.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
John Rodgers on sun 7 nov 10
Larry,
I would think that for fuel fired outdoor kilns - kilns in sheds rather
than closed buildings - an extended period of candling would be
appropriate before turning up the heat. This would likely push out any
moisture without creating steam within the bricks, and possibly breaking
them.
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
On 11/7/2010 4:54 PM, Larry Kruzan wrote:
> Hi Heather,
>
> You made a good decision about avoiding the basement for lots of reasons
> that were posted before. I think that the issue with firing below freezin=
g
> is from concern that humidity will absorb into the bricks, then when you
> start the kiln the bricks could suffer damage as the moisture turns to
> steam.
>
> My electric kilns are all indoors, but my gas kilns are all in outbuildin=
gs.
> > From first hand, I can tell you that when I fire in the middle of winte=
r, a
> LOT of steam comes out of the kiln. My kiln shed roof is weather tight so=
I
> know that no water has gotten into the kiln, so it must have been absorbe=
d
> from the air.
>
> Just how this would affect an electric kiln, I cannot say.
>
> Best Wishes,
> Larry Kruzan
> Lost Creek Pottery
> www.lostcreekpottery.com
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clayart [mailto:Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Heather Bess=
ey
> Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 5:37 AM
> To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Kilns in buildings without heat
>
> The Skutt booklet says not to run the electric computerized kiln if it is=
in
> a space where it is below freezing. It is already below freezing here an=
d
> the kiln is in an unheated garage. I was wondering if the reason for thi=
s
> is the computer components. If I warmed the computer first with a small
> electric heater could I then program it and fire? Or do other potters ju=
st
> turn the program on and fire when it is say 20 degrees out.
> Would appreciate hearing what others do. I was considering moving it int=
o
> the basement until I read recent posts on new kid on the block.
> Thanks
> Heather =3D
>
>
>
>
>
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
> Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found.
> (Email Guard: 7.0.0.18, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.16180)
> http://www.pctools.com/
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
>
>
James Freeman on sun 7 nov 10
On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 6:36 AM, Heather Bessey
wrote:
> The Skutt booklet says not to run the electric computerized kiln if it is=
=3D
in a space where it is below freezing.
> Would appreciate hearing what others do.
Heather...
Before I built my studio, I fired my Evenheat computerized electric
kiln (Bartlett controller) in my unheated barn (typical winter lows
from 15 above to maybe 5 below zero F). Never had any problems at
all. I guess it's a good thing I never read the instructions! Can't
imagine why ambient temperature would matter, as the kiln heats itself
up in short order anyway.
All the best.
...James
James Freeman
"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice.=3DA0 I
should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/resources
Larry Kruzan on sun 7 nov 10
Hi Heather,
You made a good decision about avoiding the basement for lots of reasons
that were posted before. I think that the issue with firing below freezing
is from concern that humidity will absorb into the bricks, then when you
start the kiln the bricks could suffer damage as the moisture turns to
steam.
My electric kilns are all indoors, but my gas kilns are all in outbuildings=
.
From first hand, I can tell you that when I fire in the middle of winter, a
LOT of steam comes out of the kiln. My kiln shed roof is weather tight so I
know that no water has gotten into the kiln, so it must have been absorbed
from the air.
Just how this would affect an electric kiln, I cannot say.
Best Wishes,
Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Heather Bessey
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 5:37 AM
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Kilns in buildings without heat
The Skutt booklet says not to run the electric computerized kiln if it is i=
n
a space where it is below freezing. It is already below freezing here and
the kiln is in an unheated garage. I was wondering if the reason for this
is the computer components. If I warmed the computer first with a small
electric heater could I then program it and fire? Or do other potters just
turn the program on and fire when it is say 20 degrees out.
Would appreciate hearing what others do. I was considering moving it into
the basement until I read recent posts on new kid on the block.
Thanks
Heather =3D
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found.
(Email Guard: 7.0.0.18, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.16180)
http://www.pctools.com/
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Arnold Howard on mon 8 nov 10
From: "Larry Kruzan" I
> know that no water has gotten into the kiln, so it must
> have been absorbed
> from the air.
>
> Just how this would affect an electric kiln, I cannot say.
------------
Moisture that the firebricks have absorbed from humidity
will burn off harmlessly so long as the electric kiln is
vented. Keep the lid in the vented position until steam no
longer fogs a mirror.
It is okay to store electric kilns in sub-zero weather. The
control panel should be warmed to 32F with a small space
heater before turning on the controller.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
Carl Ross on mon 8 nov 10
As an electronics tech, it's hard on electronics to turn on in freezing
temperatures, especially on a kiln where it will get warm. temperature
differentials like in ceramics can cause damage; I don't think it would
happen immediately, but many repeated cycles in cold weather, may cause
damage to circuitboard traces, solder joints, and certain components. I
personally think it's a bit of extra caution on their part to avoid the
liability of any problems they could attribute to the added heat stress.
warming the controller with a space heater couldn't hurt. When I worked in
an electronics lab we had a thermal chamber where it would go from freezing
to around 120 degrees repeatedly while running a simulation test. If it hel=
d
up it was sent out to the factory floor and put in million dollar machines,
while the ones that failed were trouble shot and repaired, and then sent on
their way.
One other consideration would be condensation, but this would be in very
rare instances. where the relative humidity increased faster than the
controller warmed up. this wouldn't happen normally, but In situations
where it was near a door where warm humid air from a house would blow past
it while it was freezing cold, frost may form, but I would think it would b=
e
evident on the outer metal case. One other instance would be if it were
near a dryer vent or similar source of warm humid air. these are things to
keep in mind when using any thing electronic in cold weather and locating
something like a kiln.
Like I said, running a space heater on the controller won't hurt, and if yo=
u
are loading the kiln it will be nice to have some warmth anyway. I wouldn't
worry much about the condensation unless you see frost on the outside of th=
e
box. being in a garage I don't think you'd see this much.
peace-
Carl
On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 4:36 AM, Heather Bessey w=
rote:
> The Skutt booklet says not to run the electric computerized kiln if it is
> in a space where it is below freezing. It is already below freezing here
> and the kiln is in an unheated garage. I was wondering if the reason for
> this is the computer components. If I warmed the computer first with a
> small electric heater could I then program it and fire? Or do other pott=
ers
> just turn the program on and fire when it is say 20 degrees out.
> Would appreciate hearing what others do. I was considering moving it int=
o
> the basement until I read recent posts on new kid on the block.
> Thanks
> Heather
Snail Scott on mon 8 nov 10
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 5:37 AM
>
> Heather Bessey wrote:
> The Skutt booklet says not to run the electric computerized kiln if
> it is in
> a space where it is below freezing...
I would run a small electric space heater next
to the controller box for an hour before beginning
the firing. At that point, you can turn off the heater.
-Snail
Jim Willett on mon 8 nov 10
Hi Heather,
Ten years ago we had our Cone Art electric kiln in an unheated kiln shed.=
=3D
=3D20
Temperatures were routinely -20 F and colder here in Alberta. To get the=3D=
20=3D
computer to function Cindy would hang a 150 watt trouble lite by the cont=
=3D
roller=3D20
for a couple of hours before turning on the power. We ran that way for tw=
=3D
o=3D20
winters.=3D20
Jim Willett
Out of the Fire Studio
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
http://www.outofthefirestudio.com
http://www.theclayteacher.com
Heather Bessey on tue 9 nov 10
Thanks so much for all the info. I will buy a small space heater
and hopefully protect the electronics in my control panel. I hope=3D20
others found all this information helpful with winter on it's way.=3D20
=3D20
Heather
=3D20
> >=3D20
> It is okay to store electric kilns in sub-zero weather. The
> control panel should be warmed to 32F with a small space
> heater before turning on the controller.
>=3D20
> Sincerely=3D2C
>=3D20
> Arnold Howard
> Paragon Industries=3D2C L.P.=3D2C Mesquite=3D2C Texas USA
> ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
=3D
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