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kiln conversion

updated tue 18 jan 05

 

Joanne L. Van Bezooyen on wed 30 jun 99

I can't find procedures in the archives.

I have a small electric kiln that doesn't work (coils and switches
etc.).

I would like to convert it to a natural gas kiln. Is there anyone out
there who would volunteer to be my mentor (you know, like, someone who
has done this before....successfullly) and e-mail walk me the steps as I
do them? I will take photos and document the steps so it can be shared
with others on clayart who in the future desire to do the same.....ok?

Joanne in Tucson

Ray Aldridge on thu 1 jul 99

At 09:49 AM 6/30/99 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I can't find procedures in the archives.
>
>I have a small electric kiln that doesn't work (coils and switches
>etc.).
>
>I would like to convert it to a natural gas kiln. Is there anyone out
>there who would volunteer to be my mentor (you know, like, someone who
>has done this before....successfullly) and e-mail walk me the steps as I
>do them? I will take photos and document the steps so it can be shared
>with others on clayart who in the future desire to do the same.....ok?
>

There's a company in central Florida who makes conversion kits. I have no
personal experience with these kits, so I can't say how well they work, but
the concept strikes me as plausible. The one-burner kit, for 13" kilns,
costs about $120, if I recall correctly. There's a 2-burner kit for 17"
kilns and a 4-burner for 23". I believe it was in the Minnesota Clay
catalog that I saw these kits, though I wouldn't swear to it.

In any case, it doesn't look like rocket science. They provide templates
so you can saw open the burner ports and flue in the proper places and
offer a choice of orifices for natural gas or propane.

Ray

=?iso-8859-1?Q?Ren=E9?= Sprattling on sat 3 jul 99

------------------
=3E----------------------------Original message----------------------------
=3EAt 09:49 AM 6/30/99 EDT, you wrote:
=3E=3E----------------------------Original =
message----------------------------
=3E=3EI can't find procedures in the archives.
=3E=3E
=3E=3EI have a small electric kiln that doesn't work (coils and switches
=3E=3Eetc.).
=3E=3E
=3E=3EI would like to convert it to a natural gas kiln. Is there anyone out
=3E=3Ethere who would volunteer to be my mentor (you know, like, someone who
=3E=3Ehas done this before....successfullly) and e-mail walk me the steps as=
I
=3E=3Edo them? I will take photos and document the steps so it can be =
shared
=3E=3Ewith others on clayart who in the future desire to do the same.....ok?
=3E=3E
=3E
=3EThere's a company in central Florida who makes conversion kits. I have =
no
=3Epersonal experience with these kits, so I can't say how well they work, =
but
=3Ethe concept strikes me as plausible. The one-burner kit, for 13=22 =
kilns,
=3Ecosts about =24120, if I recall correctly. There's a 2-burner kit for =
17=22
=3Ekilns and a 4-burner for 23=22. I believe it was in the Minnesota Clay
=3Ecatalog that I saw these kits, though I wouldn't swear to it.
=3E
=3EIn any case, it doesn't look like rocket science. They provide templates
=3Eso you can saw open the burner ports and flue in the proper places and
=3Eoffer a choice of orifices for natural gas or propane.
=3E
=3ERay

Try the following web site for Summit Kilns. I have one of their coversion
kits and am pleased with it. Mine is for a 23=22 kiln, propane. Goes to =
=5E10
in 7.5 hours. (Bottom shelf only gets t =5E8).
For a free catalog e-mail your name and mailing address to:
summit=40swiftweb.com

Or mail us at:
Summit Gas =26 Raku Kilns
P.O. Box 573
Land O'Lakes, Florida 34639

Ren=E9 S.

vescolar on sat 3 jul 99

I also have an Olympic electric kiln that I'd like to convert to gas.
Can't decide between gas or propane. The conversion kits sound
interesting, and I've requested the catalog. My question is, has anybody
out there actually done this? And how energy efficient can this be. The
olympic electric kiln does not have the best insulation. How can you
increase insulation. Put fiber around it? Like a raku kiln? Is this
safe? Any help on these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Vivi

Ben on sun 16 jan 05


Hi Folks,

I recently posted about a rather large updraft I wanted to partition and =
convert to downdraft. Well the final deliberation in to cut the thing =
in half and make two separate downdraft kilns with separate chimneys. =
This'll make the beast(s) easier to move, site, fire independently =
etc.(getting ready for Ashland.) =20

So I am looking for recommendations on burner port, outlet flue and =
chimney sizing. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The =
kilns will be fired on low pressure lp (or possibly city gas) ten =
burners (approx. 750k total) ,single central outlet flue, brick and =
metal chimney. Interior dimensions (WxDxH)60"x54"x57"

The configuration is very similar to a geil DLB-60 . If anyone has one =
and would care to share info please contact me. I'm interested in his =
flue sizings and the venturi burner ports. Are those burners really =
halfway through the floor? I know it's patented but you still get a one =
off for personal use.

Also any suggestions for drilling burner port in IFB?

All suggestions gratefully considered,
TIA,
Ben