Tim Hogensen on sun 26 apr 98
I would like to know if anyone on the list has any experience buying and or
firing small commercially manufactured gas kilns? I am planning on
purchasing one of the following:
Olympic Torchbearer kiln- models 2827G-10 CU. FT. or 2831G-11.67 CU.FT
AIM Kilns models G2936-13.40 CU. FT. or G3536-20 CU. FT.
Any information that people could provide me will be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Tim Hogensen
Tim Hogensen
thogense@students.wis.edu
1101 Moline
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608)873-3720
Michael McDowell on tue 28 apr 98
Tim, you ask:
"I would like to know if anyone on the list has any experience buying and or
firing small commercially manufactured gas kilns? I am planning on
purchasing one of the following:
Olympic Torchbearer kiln- models 2827G-10 CU. FT. or 2831G-11.67 CU.FT
AIM Kilns models G2936-13.40 CU. FT. or G3536-20 CU. FT.
Any information that people could provide me will be very much appreciated.
Thanks,Tim Hogensen"
I bought an Olympic 2831 gas kiln way back in 1975 when their manufacturing
plant was here in Seattle. Though it was not my primary kiln for much of the
time I owned it, I used it through 1985. Since then I know it has passed
through two potters who did use it as their primary kiln, and it is still
being used fairly heavily for firings of cone 10 and above. It takes a lot
of firings to get very many pieces through. The 11 or so cubic feet of space
is the volume of the inside of the whole kiln. Much of that space is lost in
stacking as you need to allow around 4 inches of space below the first shelf
for a mixing chamber, space around the outside of the shelving for a flame
path, and at least an inch over the "damper shelf" at the top. I estimate
total usable capacity to be closer to 7 cubic feet.
It's extremely difficult to get these kilns firing at even temperature and
consistent atmosphere throughout, but their relatively low cost, and easy
set up can make them an attractive option for a small studio. Having
manufacturers specifications for things like venting and distance from
flammables for the installation can make it much easier to get the
installation past the beaurocrats than with a "home built" kiln too.
Currently I'm using a Crucible kiln manufactured in Seattle that has the
same dimensions as the 2831 Olympic, but I've added yet another 4 1/2" in
height. I prefer the burners on this Crucible kiln to those that came with
my old Olympic kiln, but it's basically the same package. If you decide to
go with the Olympic kiln, I'd be happy to try and answer more specific
questions once you're set up.
Michael McDowell
Whatcom County, WA USA
http://www2.memes.com/mmpots
mmpots@memes.com
Anthony G Allison on tue 28 apr 98
Dear Tim.
We recently purchased an 11 cubic foot Olympic Kiln. After a bit of trial
and error, we got it to fire to cone 10 in about 5 hours with about 11
gallons of propane. To make it work, you need a large regulaator-the 6 inch
diameter type-not the small 3 inch rv flavor. Also, a 3/4 inch hose. We
used a twin 40lb tank setupp in tandem, but they will freeze up and
require a pan to get them in warm water. The kiln varies in temp with
stacking but gives nice reduced results!
Good Luck,
Tony
At 11:26 AM 4/26/98 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I would like to know if anyone on the list has any experience buying and or
>firing small commercially manufactured gas kilns? I am planning on
>purchasing one of the following:
>Olympic Torchbearer kiln- models 2827G-10 CU. FT. or 2831G-11.67 CU.FT
>AIM Kilns models G2936-13.40 CU. FT. or G3536-20 CU. FT.
>Any information that people could provide me will be very much appreciated.
>
>Thanks
>Tim Hogensen
>
>Tim Hogensen
>thogense@students.wis.edu
>1101 Moline
>Stoughton, WI 53589
>(608)873-3720
>
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