Dick Williams on tue 3 nov 98
Bonnie,
I believe that Raku gives electric firing what it has always lacked, the
ability to reduce. The trick to rakuing in a top loading electric kiln is to
have an assistant pull the electric plug and open and close the lid quickly so
that the internal temperature doesn't fall too low when firing multiple
pieces. If working solo it helps to have the lid attached to a chain and an
overhead pulley so that the lid can be opened easily with one hand while
reaching in with the tongs. If the temperature does falls too fast it is easy
to reheat to the desired temperature using a pyrometer instead of cones for
control.Small kilns work best for me. I have my kilns in a metal shed but
Jolyon's idea of putting the kiln on wheels seems to be a solution to keeping
the smoke out of the pottery.
Dick, still cleaning up from hurricane Bonnie (not a relative of yours, I
hope)
SBRANFPOTS@aol.com on thu 29 jul 99
Folks,
Tom Buck's recent posting on using an electric kiln was excellent and here's
the rest of the scoop on firing raku in an electric kiln:
First......the kiln doesn't know what it is firing! It just heats up and
cools down. I have been using electric kilns for raku firing for 25 years
with no ill effects to the coils, bricks, etc. However, there are some
concerns and procedures that should be followed. The greatest danger to the
kiln is the physical abuse that might be caused. Tongs hitting and damaging
the brick face, the lid being slammed down, glaze drips from overly mature
glazes, pots rubbing up against the kiln upon removal, coming in contact with
the soft coils and damaging them, etc. To safely open a top loader you must
lift the lid by grabbing the handle with tongs. This can be done carefully
but is a popular source of damage. The lid hinge can also be twisted out of
shape if you are not careful when you close the lid and of course slamming
the lid down will crack it and the top course of brick.
Other than physical abuse, there is no danger or undue wear on the coils,
switches, bricks, or other components.
As far as firing cycle, load your pots, close the lid, and turn the kiln on
high. Because the kiln will cool very slowly do not try to load and fire
successive loads of ware. Where to locate your kiln? I advise against placing
your kiln outside, unprotected from the elements. Even temporarily locating
the kiln outside is asking for trouble; unpredictable weather, inadvertent
spray from a hose, etc. Locate the kiln indoors in a fire safe area, in close
proximity to the outdoors so you can remove the ware and carry out your post
firing reduction outside.
I hope this dispels any myths and is helpful.
Steven Branfman
Thonas C. Curran on fri 30 jul 99
I think that outside IS a good place for an electric kiln...provided it
is a small kiln which can be moved easily. I often take a test kiln
outside for smaller raku pieces...either 8X8X4" chamber or 8X8X8".
It is possible to purchase sheet metal which can be put on top of kiln
(I first put down broken kiln shelf, then sheet metal on top, then
another kiln shelf piece to weight it down) if weather is threatening
after the firing when kiln is too hot to touch and move inside. The
small kilns can often be plugged into household current, too. Raku
pieces can lose a lot of heat if there is too great a distance from kiln
to post firing reduction chamber, and I prefer the proximity to
reduction chamber and distance from house. But what works for one
doesn't always work for others. The important thing is to consider
safety first, then other considerations. Carolyn aka CNC
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