Greg Skipper on mon 9 mar 98
I've heard people mention that they've used a top
loading electric kiln to raku. I'd like to try
it! However, when I peak in at 1700 degrees it
appears rather frightening to think about. I
guess I'd need to rig up a cable to open the lid
and hold it open. I have a welding helmet and
heavy gloves. I guess I'd need metal thongs.
Would you fire just one pot and have it near the
top? Any ideas would be helpful from anyone
that's done it. Is it safe?
Thanks
Greg
Newberg, Oregon
(I'm trying to make a porcelin flower replica of
every flower that I see this spring and I'm
finding it a big challenge!)
Tim Stowell on tue 10 mar 98
I never fired in Raku in an electric kiln that hadn't been converted to
propane (all of my raku kilns have been converted electric). The scary
part about using an electric kiln would be the need to turn off the kiln
before reaching in with the metal tongs. I would think that if you
accidentally touched an element you would get a hell of a ZAP. If you
turn off the kiln it will cool rapidly as you take out each piece. Seems
like a pain to me. Besides Raku should be done outside, in the elements.
There's nothing like shovelling a foot of snow off of the kilns and
standing over an 1800 degree kiln with a 2 degree below zero wind hitting
you in the back.
Tim...in balmy upstate New York
Tim Stowell Gerard Stowell Pottery
Stacey Gerard 290 River Street
tstwll@juno.com Troy, NY 12180
(518)272-0983 www.trytroy.org/gerard/
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the Gallagher's on fri 13 mar 98
We fire in a trash can set up to be a propane fueled raku kiln and you must
reach down into it with tongs to take out the pieces.
What would be the difference from an electric kiln?
Michelle
In Oregon
PurpleLama on sat 14 mar 98
Greg,
I use a top load electric kiln for raku. It's a small kiln that I bought just
for raku. I also use long raku tongs and wear heavy duty gloves (advertised
for raku use) and welder's glasses. Other than that, I wear no special
clothing. I keep my mask around (with hepa filters) in case the reduction cans
smoke excessively. I open the kiln with my gloved hands.
I've been using the kiln for about a year now and am having a blast. I usually
fire 5 to 6 pieces at a time and fire 1 to 3 loads in a day. The pieces - most
often lided pots and rattles - are rather small. They average about 5 or so
inches in diameter and 4 to 6 inches high. I have the shelf a couple of inches
above the floor of the kiln. The kiln is not very deep. (12 or 14 inches, if I
remember correctly).
My kiln has two plugs and I make sure that the kiln is turned off and the
plugs disconnected from the extension cords before I open the kiln. When I
asked ClayArt folks about electric raku a year or so ago, electrocution was
one of the subjects that was discussed. As a result, I check the plugs more
than once before opening the kiln.
I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Shula
PurpleLama@aol.com
waiting in Baltimore, MD for spring to come back
Dwiggins, Sandra on sat 14 mar 98
No difference between the garbage can and the electric kiln. That's how
everyone I know who does raku with an electric kiln does it---opens the top and
uses tongs to pull out the pieces, wearing very heavy insulating garments of
some sort or other.
Sandy
Bert A Stevens on sat 14 mar 98
in high school we fired raku from an electric kiln, it helps to have 3
people when you take the pots out for smoking, one to hold the lid open
and close it in between taking pots out, one to get the pots, and one to
add any additional material to the reduction chamber, it is also a good
ides to have the kiln near an outside door..
On Fri, 13 Mar 1998, the Gallagher's wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> We fire in a trash can set up to be a propane fueled raku kiln and you must
> reach down into it with tongs to take out the pieces.
>
> What would be the difference from an electric kiln?
>
> Michelle
> In Oregon
>
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