mel jacobson on mon 14 feb 11
i use that small torch every time i fire any gas kiiln.
i take out the damper, and point the flame into
the base of the stack.*
it may be one of the best safety tips there is.
it starts the draw of the kiln. if you pre/heat/ it is a must.
all the trapped gases in the kiln start up the stack.
it is all going in the direction you want...up the stack.
i have seen many kilns that have been `plummped`.
the trapped gas is ignited by the burners going on, PLUMP,
there is a small explosion, and all the bricks move about
an inch. in argentina they say WHOOMP, but, all the same.
it is the sound of an elephant, passing gas in a cave.
FOOPLUMP.
BUT,seriously, if you want a nice clean start, turn your kiln
on the right way. use the torch in the damper slot for 3 minutes.
open that kiln, and start the heat up the stack.
i have an overnight warming system for my kilns. not pre/heat, just
a warm up to 300F. melts wax, heats my shelves and furniture.
then, when i start, it is full go. as hot and high as it will go.
it is called a nascar start.
now, right away. no slow firing. kick it in the butt.
then back off as you reach various temps, like 2000, 2300 etc.
when my kiln is at cone 11 the burners are as low as they will go.
it works.
mel
*every potter should have a bernzomatic type torch.
buy one today. (get the one with the trigger starter. nice)
or, just burn scrap paper in the damper slot./
from: minnetonka, mn
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com
alternate: melpots7575@gmail.com
WJ Seidl on mon 14 feb 11
Yes, yes!
Scrap paper works well.
Tax bills, guvmint notices, invoices of all kinds, utility bills,
credit card statements...
now THOSE burn extremely well.
And give one a certain sense of satisfaction to boot.
Most of us could probably fill the chimbley with them.
Up here we use "fahhht", as in "Does a beah fahht in the woods, dearie?".
Mainer's have no "R".
Well...we have 'em, we just don't use 'em much, we're saving them.
We use "ahh" instead. It's cheapah.
Wayne Seidl
in the nawth woods wheah it's snowing yet again. Wheah's that lying
groundhog?
My 12 ga. is loaded and the oven is heating!
On 2/14/2011 8:41 AM, mel jacobson wrote:
> i use that small torch every time i fire any gas kiiln.
>
> or, just burn scrap paper in the damper slot./
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