Orion/Baker on tue 10 mar 98
It worries me that somebody on Clayart is suggesting that, in regard to
ITC, "listening to the kiln manufacturer" is a bad bet.
Kiln makers embrace improvements in technology all the time. They moved
from clay brick to baked brick. Then from hard brick to soft brick. They
quickly learned to incorporate "alternative" refractory forms like fiber
blankets and board. They offered "electric fire" elements just as soon as
electric technology allowed it. The "Kiln Sitter" concept was immediately
adopted, as well as electronic timers and finally programmable controllers.
It's easy to see that kiln makers have sought and championed all kinds of
progress for centuries.
In light of their willingness to progress, I suspect that if ITC (or any
other wonder coating) bore out as a significant step forward, every kiln
maker would be battling to be "first on the market" with coated bricks.
But none of them are.
I think it's absurd to suggest that kiln manufacturers are suddenly less
credible than any "potter, any ole day"! And if manufacturer's are to be
disregarded about this, why take their word on voltage, amperage,
grounding, temperature range, or anything else? I think the suggestion to
disregard them in this matter is highly selective, and I suspect it as
wholly apologist.
If a coating manufacturer can't/won't cough up real evidence that their
product works, why would any responsible kiln builder use it?
DWoodin521 on wed 11 mar 98
Axner offers a kiln completely coated with ITC products. ITC makes a kiln
that can be either gas or electric fired because the kiln has been coated with
ITC 100. Their product is mainly used to isolate the bricks or elements from
the atmosphere inside a kiln, and in so doing may result in a savings in fuel
due to the reflective property of the material. Another good side effect is
that it makes a harder surface so soft bricks don't crumble in use, and puts a
crust on fiber so that it doesn't fly around in the kiln. As a kiln leaves
any manufactureer their product is excellent it is only after lots of use and
replacing of elements that there is a need to repair bricks or in some other
way bring the kiln up to a usable condition. This is when the ITC product
works best. I am not sure why the discussion has suddenly turned into such a
show me direction. I think we are all fortunate that an industrial product
has been made available to potters.
David
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