Dina Barnese on thu 28 jul 11
Hello Clayarters,
I have a Skutt KS1018 electric kiln that I'm getting ready to set up in my
new studio space. This will be my first experience with firing an electric
kiln. Since it's going to be set up in my studio, I also bought an
EnviroVent 2 system to vent the fumes to the outside - the idea being that
I'll be able to work in the studio while firing.
My question is this - does anybody here use this venting system? Skutt
claims that using the vent system gives better heat uniformity and kiln
atmosphere - has this been your experience?
Up until now I have always fired in an Olympic torchbearer propane-fired
kiln, in oxidation. I bought the gas kiln out of necessity - not enough
electric service to our home to pull amperage for an electric kiln, not to
mention nowhere to install one - I still plan to use the gas kiln for bisqu=
e
firing and hope to move all glaze firings to the electric kiln, with the
hope of more consistent results.
Anyway - any advice/information you can give to a first-time electric kiln
user and/or the venting system will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dina Barnese
Zizziba Studio
Flagstaff, Arizona
http://www.zizziba.com
William & Susan Schran User on fri 29 jul 11
On 7/29/11 12:47 AM, "Dina Barnese" wrote:
> I have a Skutt KS1018 electric kiln that I'm getting ready to set up in m=
y
> new studio space. This will be my first experience with firing an electri=
c
> kiln. Since it's going to be set up in my studio, I also bought an
> EnviroVent 2 system to vent the fumes to the outside - the idea being tha=
t
> I'll be able to work in the studio while firing.
> My question is this - does anybody here use this venting system? Skutt
> claims that using the vent system gives better heat uniformity and kiln
> atmosphere - has this been your experience?
Dina,
This vent system is similar to other direct vent systems in that it attache=
s
to bottom of kiln and vent motor is away from the kiln to keep it cool and
create a negative pressure condition.
Though they claim more even firing, the primary reason to vent is to remove
most all fumes from the kiln chamber, maintaining an oxidizing atmosphere
and lessoning the affects of the corrosive fumes on the kiln.
You will still have some fumes/smells escaping in the studio, so make sure
you have good cross ventilation. You also want good cross ventilation if
firing during hot weather to remove heat from the room and to keep the
controller cooler. Allowing the controller to get too hot, like 120F, will
shorten its life and may cause errors during firing.
I would also suggest installing rigid metal vent pipe instead of the
supplied flexible pipe as it will last much longer.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
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