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oxidation/reduction in electric kiln

updated wed 26 jan 00

 

isnorchd on sun 19 dec 99

------------------
12/19/99

I was speaking with my friend Nikom today who told me something I found =
rather
puzzling but quite fascinating, namely that you can put whatever you want in=
an
electric kiln, especially newspaper and/or cardboard that you use for =
supporting
handmade work. I have always been under the impression that one must be =
careful
about burning off organic substances in an electric kiln because of the very
real potential to damage the elements. He said he thought that the concern =
was
unnecessary and that a reduction firing in an electric kiln is actually
feasible. Well, I have been considering spraying the kiln with ITC 100 to
protect the elements and he said that, if this is done, one surely could put=
in
just about anything with little or no concern to damaging the elements.

So, I need to know from some of you folks who have a good deal more =
experience
whether my new electric kiln can be used in a more versatile fashion by =
pushing
it towards a reduction firing. I do not have a concern for emissions as =
there is
a ventilating fan and I probably wouldn't be using the room while firing the
kiln.

Thanks for your help.

Don Beckerman
The Dark Side of The Moon at The Gateway to Indo China

isnorchd=40nk.ksc.co.th

Arnold Howard on mon 20 dec 99

Reduction firing may void the warranty on your
electric kiln.

Arnold Howard


> 12/19/99
>
> I was speaking with my friend Nikom today who told
> me something I found rather
> puzzling but quite fascinating, namely that you can
> put whatever you want in an
> electric kiln, especially newspaper and/or cardboard
> that you use for supporting
> handmade work. I have always been under the
> impression that one must be careful
> about burning off organic substances in an electric
> kiln because of the very
> real potential to damage the elements. He said he
> thought that the concern was
> unnecessary and that a reduction firing in an
> electric kiln is actually
> feasible. Well, I have been considering spraying the
> kiln with ITC 100 to
> protect the elements and he said that, if this is
> done, one surely could put in
> just about anything with little or no concern to
> damaging the elements.
>
> So, I need to know from some of you folks who have a
> good deal more experience
> whether my new electric kiln can be used in a more
> versatile fashion by pushing
> it towards a reduction firing. I do not have a
> concern for emissions as there is
> a ventilating fan and I probably wouldn't be using
> the room while firing the
> kiln.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Don Beckerman
> The Dark Side of The Moon at The Gateway to Indo
> China
>
> isnorchd@nk.ksc.co.th
>

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Juliet Johnston on mon 20 dec 99

Hi Don,
This summer I went to a workshop given by Russel Fouts. He wraps a pot
with newspaper then aluminum foil and fires away. He believes in
trying the impossible. No telling what he as fired. And oh yes, he
sells it. His address is Russel.fouts@skynet.be Good luck, Juliet
in Mississippi excited about the New Years wood firing in Merrie's
Groundhog.

tgschs10 on wed 22 dec 99

Don,

I have a combination gas-electric kiln. I fire electric overnight and set a
hold temperature of 1600 so when I awake in the morning, I am close to body
reduction. I turn on the gas and run the gas and electric simultaneously to
cone 10. This technique allows me to finish my gas firings somewhere around
noon so I don't waste a whole day in the studio and I don't have to stay up
half the night. I received a message from Nils a few months ago on this
listserve he indicates he has a combination gas-electric kiln he said he has
been firing in somewhat the same manner. My elements were dipped in ITC
before being placed in the kiln and later sprayed. I am uncertain about a
kiln that has already been fired.

Tom Sawyer
Orlando, Fl
tgschs10@msn.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "isnorchd"
To:
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 1999 9:04 AM
Subject: oxidation/reduction in electric kiln


----------------------------Original message----------------------------
------------------
12/19/99

I was speaking with my friend Nikom today who told me something I found
rather
puzzling but quite fascinating, namely that you can put whatever you want in
an
electric kiln, especially newspaper and/or cardboard that you use for
supporting
handmade work. I have always been under the impression that one must be
careful
about burning off organic substances in an electric kiln because of the very
real potential to damage the elements. He said he thought that the concern
was
unnecessary and that a reduction firing in an electric kiln is actually
feasible. Well, I have been considering spraying the kiln with ITC 100 to
protect the elements and he said that, if this is done, one surely could put
in
just about anything with little or no concern to damaging the elements.

So, I need to know from some of you folks who have a good deal more
experience
whether my new electric kiln can be used in a more versatile fashion by
pushing
it towards a reduction firing. I do not have a concern for emissions as
there is
a ventilating fan and I probably wouldn't be using the room while firing the
kiln.

Thanks for your help.

Don Beckerman
The Dark Side of The Moon at The Gateway to Indo China

isnorchd@nk.ksc.co.th

Jim Brooks on wed 22 dec 99

It is my understanding that when you fire an electric kiln, you build up a
coat of oxidation on the elements. This "coating " protects the elements and
extends their life. If you fire anything out of the usual in your kiln, then
you cause reduction --- which destroys the protective coating and may greatly
reduce the element life. Not only that, some things that might get in the
kiln are very toxic. For example..if you use plastic film (or anything
plastic for that matter) to form the inside of your pots, and can't remove
all of it, it will produce a toxic gas when it is fired.

There are some electrical elements that will handle reduction. I don't think
they are generally available in this country.

GSM_ENT on mon 24 jan 00

Hi Don, Everyone:

Happy New Year!!!!!

There is a new great "ceramics" club which includes everything from glass to
clay with links to great pottery web site. Go check it out. To join:
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/atzceramics.

Masters founded and moderate the club.

Tony
----- Original Message -----
From: isnorchd
To:
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 1999 8:04 AM
Subject: oxidation/reduction in electric kiln


----------------------------Original message----------------------------
------------------
12/19/99

I was speaking with my friend Nikom today who told me something I found
rather
puzzling but quite fascinating, namely that you can put whatever you want in
an
electric kiln, especially newspaper and/or cardboard that you use for
supporting
handmade work. I have always been under the impression that one must be
careful
about burning off organic substances in an electric kiln because of the very
real potential to damage the elements. He said he thought that the concern
was
unnecessary and that a reduction firing in an electric kiln is actually
feasible. Well, I have been considering spraying the kiln with ITC 100 to
protect the elements and he said that, if this is done, one surely could put
in
just about anything with little or no concern to damaging the elements.

So, I need to know from some of you folks who have a good deal more
experience
whether my new electric kiln can be used in a more versatile fashion by
pushing
it towards a reduction firing. I do not have a concern for emissions as
there is
a ventilating fan and I probably wouldn't be using the room while firing the
kiln.

Thanks for your help.

Don Beckerman
The Dark Side of The Moon at The Gateway to Indo China

isnorchd@nk.ksc.co.th

David Woodin on tue 25 jan 00

Yes ITC 100 will protect the elements. Axner sells a combination gas and
electric kiln made by ITC.
David