ACTSNYC@cs.com on fri 31 dec 99
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1999 14:14:22 EST
> From: Heidi Haugen
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: kiln fumes
> Resent-Subject: kiln fumes
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I recently installed a kiln vent (stand version) and have been using it
> for about 6 weeks now. I'm firing to cone 6 and have noticed that for
> about the last 4 hours of the firing I can smell a strong odor. I feel
> that I installed the vent properly as it passed the Orton "match test"
> (turning the vent on, lid closed, and holding a lit match to the hole in
> the lid and if the flame is pulled into the kiln the vent should be
> functioning.) I'm curious if there is just an unavoidable "hot metal"
> smell associated with taking a kiln to such a hot temp. Any
> comments/thoughts would be helpful as I'm in the studio with the kiln
> firing away several times a week.
> Thanks in advance,
> Heidi Haugen
-------------------------------
Try testing with a match at the time the odor is prevalent. If it still tips
strongly in, then its the outside of the kiln getting hot that you smell.
If, instead, the draw has changed and is weak, then the amounts of gases
being released at those high temperatures are overwhelming the negative draw.
This usually happens at lower temperatures when people use a lot of wax
resist, fire paper clay or some such. But there are things that could do it
at higher temps also.
Hope this helps.
Monona Rossol
ACTS
181 Thompson St., # 23
NYC NY 10012-2586 212/777-0062
ACTSNYC@cs.com
Evan Dresel on tue 4 jan 00
Worth a try but you can get fooled testing the air flow when the kiln is
hot. The hot kiln surface will cause a lot of convection with hot air
rising away from the top. It may be difficult to detect the downward
flow through the little hole. Also if you kiln lid has a tendency to
warp away from the sides slightly, you won't get as much flow through
the hole, even though there may still be positive ventilation. If you
get a lot of separation, there may be some leakage.
So if you can detect inward flow, great. If not it will take some
careful investigation to figure out what's going on. How new is the
kiln? If it has been fired a lot then I wouldn't expect smell from the
outside. You could try firing it empty to see if you get the same
smell.
Disclaimer: I have a Bailey vent so test at the top peep & use a piece
of tissue.
-- Evan in W. Richland where we had a dusting of snow today and the
dalmatian thought it was too cold to hang out outside unless we did some
serious walking.
ACTSNYC@cs.com wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1999 14:14:22 EST
> > From: Heidi Haugen
> > To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> > Subject: kiln fumes
> > Resent-Subject: kiln fumes
> > ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > I recently installed a kiln vent (stand version) and have been using it
> > for about 6 weeks now. I'm firing to cone 6 and have noticed that for
> > about the last 4 hours of the firing I can smell a strong odor. I feel
> > that I installed the vent properly as it passed the Orton "match test"
> > (turning the vent on, lid closed, and holding a lit match to the hole in
> > the lid and if the flame is pulled into the kiln the vent should be
> > functioning.) I'm curious if there is just an unavoidable "hot metal"
> > smell associated with taking a kiln to such a hot temp. Any
> > comments/thoughts would be helpful as I'm in the studio with the kiln
> > firing away several times a week.
> > Thanks in advance,
> > Heidi Haugen
> -------------------------------
> Try testing with a match at the time the odor is prevalent. If it still tips
> strongly in, then its the outside of the kiln getting hot that you smell.
> If, instead, the draw has changed and is weak, then the amounts of gases
> being released at those high temperatures are overwhelming the negative draw.
>
> This usually happens at lower temperatures when people use a lot of wax
> resist, fire paper clay or some such. But there are things that could do it
> at higher temps also.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Monona Rossol
> ACTS
> 181 Thompson St., # 23
> NYC NY 10012-2586 212/777-0062
>
> ACTSNYC@cs.com
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