mel jacobson on thu 26 may 11
we have many tools that aid us
when we fire.
cones are the best. the oxyprobe
is a valued tool, but if you cannot move heat
and reduction around in your kiln...it may not
be worth the money.. it is expensive.
one of the things that i like to suggest
for potters that have not had gobs of experience
working a fuel kiln is learning how to move heat.
there are some basic things to do:
gas pressure up and down, learn to vary
the pressure on various burners...it can move
the heat from top to bottom, or front to back, or
side to side.
as i have said many times, often turning your gas pressure
way down, may increase your heat.
many potters blow more heat up the stack than they keep
in their kiln. this is very common in schools or art centers.
just blow gas, see what happens.
the oxyprobe does give you a fine picture of what is really
going on in a kiln.
often there is lots of smoke and soot, and no reduction in
the kiln.
experienced firing potters will tell you...`you can move
your damper a quarter of an inch and change the reduction
inside the kiln.` that is a fact.
so. just moving your damper does not mean your reduction
is working. many just shove it in..get soot...think they are
doing the right thing. not true.
it takes a great deal of charting, many cones, and the ability
to read your pots for proper reduction.
then know how to repeat it. that is where the oxy is most
important.
many quality potters are looking very seriously at how
over reduction makes bad pots. black core, pin holes,
dark un-seemly pots. there has to be balance.
and, firing for gas or fuel saving just means money in your
pocket. prudent firing helps you, your pots, your pocket book then
the world around us. get the order correct. many do not have a clue.
mel
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
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