Marley Wolhud on wed 10 jun 98
I looked in the archives for this and struck out although I know it has
been discussed in the past. I am finally ordering my kiln and will be
firing mostly to cone 6 but want the cone 10 flexibility. I am getting
a Skutt and don't know if I should get 2 1/2 inch firebrick or the 3
inch firebrick. There is a $48 price difference. What are the
advantages to 3" brick?
Thanks
Kris Baum on thu 11 jun 98
I'm absolutely no expert, but I do have the 3" Skutt electric and I
can tell you what went into my decision -- the desire to minimize
energy costs and (as a bonus) the slower cooling down of the kiln
which may help glaze development.
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I looked in the archives for this and struck out although I know it has
> been discussed in the past. I am finally ordering my kiln and will be
> firing mostly to cone 6 but want the cone 10 flexibility. I am getting
> a Skutt and don't know if I should get 2 1/2 inch firebrick or the 3
> inch firebrick. There is a $48 price difference. What are the
> advantages to 3" brick?
>
> Thanks
>
>
Kris Baum
Shubunkin Pottery
Gaithersburg, MD
USA
mailto:shubunki@erols.com
V.G.Clements on thu 11 jun 98
I've had a Skutt 3 inch for 3 years and made hundreds of firings (^6) on the
same set of elements. I have fired to ^10 on occasion. I also have the
computer controller which has been right on the money against witness cones.
I write down the KWH used for each firing. I often candle my bisque loads
for over 24 hours. Bottom line is the cost is about the same for any speed
firing. Firing cost is very low and I don't know if the thickness has
anything to do with it but I suspect it has. I don't have any other kiln
experience to share but the kiln heats very predictably and cools slowly and
evenly. I think you lose an inch or two on interior space but I
thought/think it's worth it. For the cost of the initial investment you're
talking small change for the differnce. I love mine.
David Hendley on thu 11 jun 98
My completely unscientific opinion is that you will easily save $48
worth of electricity over the course of just a couple of dozen firings.
Longtime readers of Clayart know that I harshly criticize electric
kiln manufacturers because their products are so poorly insulated.
Get the best most insulation you can!
Other added benefits:
You will have less heat build up in your kiln room.
You will get burned less when you accidently brush up against your kiln.
You will be saving energy.
Your kiln will cool more slowly - some electric kilns cool so fast that
folks are forced to 'fire down' to slow the cooling rate.
David Hendley,
grateful for any reduction in heat build-up in 100 degree Texas
At 09:23 AM 6/10/98 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I looked in the archives for this and struck out although I know it has
>been discussed in the past. I am finally ordering my kiln and will be
>firing mostly to cone 6 but want the cone 10 flexibility. I am getting
>a Skutt and don't know if I should get 2 1/2 inch firebrick or the 3
>inch firebrick. There is a $48 price difference. What are the
>advantages to 3" brick?
>
>Thanks
>
Vince Pitelka on thu 11 jun 98
>I looked in the archives for this and struck out although I know it has
>been discussed in the past. I am finally ordering my kiln and will be
>firing mostly to cone 6 but want the cone 10 flexibility. I am getting
>a Skutt and don't know if I should get 2 1/2 inch firebrick or the 3
>inch firebrick. There is a $48 price difference. What are the
>advantages to 3" brick?
I don't think that any kiln with only 2 1/2" of firebrick should be
considered a high-fired kiln. They may work fine when brand new, but when
the elements get a little old, the outer surface of the kiln can get VERY
hot by the time midrange or high-fire temperature is reached. For anything
above low-fire, I prefer the kilns with 3" of brick, or with 2 1/2" of brick
and a layer of fiber board or blanket.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Michael W Greenfield on thu 11 jun 98
..
..
I myself was faced with the same question. I ended up going with the 3"
brick. These are the reasons why I thought 3" would be better in my
order of importance:
1. Extra durability, I felt the extra 1/2" would be more sturdy (when/if
I need to move it)
2. Added insulation, more for a slower cool down than for energy saved
in heating.
3. all this for ONLY an extra 50 bucks (+ shipping).
..
The only down side is you lose about 1/2 cubic foot of space.
..
I ended up getting a Skutt KM1027-3. Don't ask me how I like it so far,
I'm still making stuff for my first load.
..
Be Well
Mike Greenfield
M_Greenfield@juno.com
Marcellus NY
Spring came, went and is back again.
..
..
On Wed, 10 Jun 1998 09:23:22 EDT Marley Wolhud
writes:
>----------------------------Original
>message----------------------------
>I looked in the archives for this and struck out although I know it
>has
>been discussed in the past. I am finally ordering my kiln and will be
>firing mostly to cone 6 but want the cone 10 flexibility. I am
>getting
>a Skutt and don't know if I should get 2 1/2 inch firebrick or the 3
>inch firebrick. There is a $48 price difference. What are the
>advantages to 3" brick?
>
>Thanks
>
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Stephen Mills on thu 11 jun 98
Better insulation. Olympic 3" thick are all ^10.
Steve
Bath
UK
In message , Marley Wolhud writes
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I looked in the archives for this and struck out although I know it has
>been discussed in the past. I am finally ordering my kiln and will be
>firing mostly to cone 6 but want the cone 10 flexibility. I am getting
>a Skutt and don't know if I should get 2 1/2 inch firebrick or the 3
>inch firebrick. There is a $48 price difference. What are the
>advantages to 3" brick?
>
>Thanks
>
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
home e-mail: stevemills@mudslinger.demon.co.uk
work e-mail: stevemills@bathpotters.demon.co.uk
own website: http://www.mudslinger.demon.co.uk
BPS website: http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
The Kiln Guy on fri 12 jun 98
Hi all,
Maximum kiln temperature has more to do with power (elements, voltage,
amps, kilowatts) than brick thickness. But I should add that I agree with
Vince that, snip>>>
For anything above low-fire, I prefer the kilns with 3" of brick, or with 2
1/2" of brick
and a layer of fiber board or blanket.<<We use all 3" brick in our kilns & add fiber blanket on request. Two
negatives for adding fiber are, 1. Fiber is not good for your health & 2.
The case can become sloppy or loose after a few years when the fiber starts
to break down.
Chris @ Euclids
pedresel@3-cities.com on sun 14 jun 98
My Opinion: Don't get a Skutt with 3" firebrick. They keep the outside
the same size and shrink the inside space. You need smaller shelves. Also
I think they still use 2 1/2" on the top where it really counts. Seems
really lazy to me not to redesign the shell. If you want thicker brick I
suggest a ConeArt if you can afford it or a Crucible (from Seattle Pottery
Supply).
I think the main advantage to thicker brick is somewhat slower cooling
rather than any great energy savings.
-- Evan in W. Richland Washington, USA where grassfire season is just starting.
At 09:23 AM 6-10-98 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I looked in the archives for this and struck out although I know it has
>been discussed in the past. I am finally ordering my kiln and will be
>firing mostly to cone 6 but want the cone 10 flexibility. I am getting
>a Skutt and don't know if I should get 2 1/2 inch firebrick or the 3
>inch firebrick. There is a $48 price difference. What are the
>advantages to 3" brick?
>
>Thanks
>
>
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