Richard Aerni on fri 28 jan 00
Hello yet again,
I've got a request from a friend concerning the use and effectiveness of
small hi-fire gas kilns. This gentleman, an avocational potter in an
urban area, wanted to know my feelings on building/using a small kiln in
his backyard, a kiln in the 10-20 cubic foot range. Never having fired
one smaller than 20 cubic feet, I was hard-pressed to answer his
questions, and told him I'd throw it out to the clayart audience.
What he's wondering, is how well a small kiln like this will
fire...whether the small size allows one to fire evenly and subtly. Are
there any commercial models out there which have worked well, or badly
for you? He will be firing in reduction up to cone 10. The kiln will be
placed outside...and since it is an urban area, the noise of a blower or
power burner may be an issue. I seem to recall Mel writing about
building a small MFT, but can't recall any of the details. If any of you
care to respond to me about this, I will forward your replies to him.
Thanks very much,
Richard Aerni
Bloomfield, NY rcaerni@servtech.com
June Perry on sat 29 jan 00
Richard:
My old Geil, 17cu. ft downdraft kiln fires beautifully and pretty evenly if
fired slowly and then you can always play with it, as you can with any kiln,
to even out the temperature. Like other kilns, it has it's special places.
For some reason the Geil has on hot spot in the center left side -- the
perfect place for the shinos and celadons.
I also had a small California Gas kiln (7 cu.ft), but I always had difficulty
getting that kiln to reach full cone 10 with good reduction, until I got the
oxyprobe. I used it mainly for bisque and the rare raku and clean up firings.
My first kiln was a hard brick, downdraft kiln that I built from plans in the
Daniel Rhodes Kiln book. It was around 20 cu feet and fired beautifully.
Warm regards,
June
Marc Ward on sat 29 jan 00
Richard,
Your friend will find that they have minimal urban imact if they go with low
pressure gas (lp or ng) on Venturis. This will keep the noise (combustion
rumble) to a minimum. If a small kiln is properly designed, it can fire very
evenly...poor design, poor firing. I would strongly suggest a downdraft as
opposed to an updraft if eveness is a big concern. Tell your friend to feel
free to call us.
Marc Ward
Ward Burner Systems
PO Box 333
Dandridge, TN 37725
USA
423.397.2914 voice
423.397.1253 fax
wardburner@aol.com email
wardburner.com website/online
catalog
John Rodgers on sat 29 jan 00
I came into possession of an old Duncan kiln whose inside measurements were
24" wide and 19-1/2 inches high and designed for cone 8. It was trashed so
far as elements and switches were concerned. I wanted to make a cone 10 gas
reduction kiln out of it.
I already had an M750 burner from Marc Ward that was used for Raku, so I
decided to call Marc and find out how many more burners would be required and
what else would I need.
I told Marc what I wanted to do....make a small gas kiln for reduction
firing. And I asked how many more burners he though I would need. His
response was "None!"
He said that with that round kiln, and at that size, one burner was all I
needed for propane gas, and I might find myself having trouble getting firing
to be slow enough. I would really have a time of it to keep it from firing to
fast. Said I could do it, but would take several firings to get the feel and
bring it under control.
I asked him about firing it to cone ten or eleven. He said "No problem. The
kiln was already rated at cone eight, so with overheat factors in mind it was
made to stand a lot more. Well above cone ten.
So, I guess I will have at some point a cone 10, gas reduction small scale
kiln.
He suggested I build a floor for it by putting down a layer of concrete
blocks, laid so the hole side is up, then use insulated bricks for the floor
itself.. I have the choice of firing the burner through the floor or cutting
a hole in the side and firing that way. I think I will fire through the
floor, making it an updraft model.
Hope this gives you some ideas.
John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL
Richard Aerni wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hello yet again,
>
> I've got a request from a friend concerning the use and effectiveness of
> small hi-fire gas kilns. This gentleman, an avocational potter in an
> urban area, wanted to know my feelings on building/using a small kiln in
> his backyard, a kiln in the 10-20 cubic foot range. Never having fired
> one smaller than 20 cubic feet, I was hard-pressed to answer his
> questions, and told him I'd throw it out to the clayart audience.
>
> What he's wondering, is how well a small kiln like this will
> fire...whether the small size allows one to fire evenly and subtly. Are
> there any commercial models out there which have worked well, or badly
> for you? He will be firing in reduction up to cone 10. The kiln will be
> placed outside...and since it is an urban area, the noise of a blower or
> power burner may be an issue. I seem to recall Mel writing about
> building a small MFT, but can't recall any of the details. If any of you
> care to respond to me about this, I will forward your replies to him.
>
> Thanks very much,
>
> Richard Aerni
> Bloomfield, NY rcaerni@servtech.com
Mike Gordon on sat 29 jan 00
Gee, I feel humbled! I never thought of my 20cu ft. kiln as small! But
either way with forced burners or down draft, or up draft, they are very
quiet to fire. Mike
Maggie Woodhead on sat 29 jan 00
Kia Ora
My husband is building a kiln of the size you refer to
at this very moment, throwing the concrete pad is held up today because
of the RAIN! We hope to have the first trial firing within the week.
I will be at NCECA and have photographs of the kiln in the process
of building with me. We live in a suburb have a small section about
500 sq metres with regulations we have to follow and adhere to. It is
15 cu feet fibre gas, and we have fired a 10 cubic foot gas kiln which
worked well over several firings.
If you would like more techno stuff write to him (we have separate
computers) @ the following add.
derekw@ts.co.nz
This will be the most exciting thing since I started pottery.
----Best Wishes Maggie----
maggiew@clear.net.nz
In New Zealand where we are
still waiting for summer.
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Aerni
To:
Sent: Saturday, 29 January 2000 09:04
Subject: Small Gas Reduction Kiln Question
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hello yet again,
I've got a request from a friend concerning the use and effectiveness of
small hi-fire gas kilns. This gentleman, an avocational potter in an
urban area, wanted to know my feelings on building/using a small kiln in
his backyard, a kiln in the 10-20 cubic foot range. Never having fired
one smaller than 20 cubic feet, I was hard-pressed to answer his
questions, and told him I'd throw it out to the clayart audience.
What he's wondering, is how well a small kiln like this will
fire...whether the small size allows one to fire evenly and subtly. Are
there any commercial models out there which have worked well, or badly
for you? He will be firing in reduction up to cone 10. The kiln will
be
placed outside...and since it is an urban area, the noise of a blower or
power burner may be an issue. I seem to recall Mel writing about
building a small MFT, but can't recall any of the details. If any of
you
care to respond to me about this, I will forward your replies to him.
Thanks very much,
Richard Aerni
Bloomfield, NY rcaerni@servtech.com
Earl Brunner on sat 29 jan 00
In the early 70's I designed and built a 14 C.F. IFB downdraft kiln with
burners underneath pointing upwards. It fired great! Nice even firing. I
now own a Geil
8 C.F. fiber downdraft. I chose it because I wasn't in the current position
to build
one, had space limitations, and the design incorporated many of the design
elements of my original kiln. It too fires very evenly. I currently match
cones top
to bottom with little to no adjustment, and find the middle to be about a
half a cone hotter. This is an exceptible amount of difference for me. I
would prefer the 24x24 stacking space of my old kiln over the 20x20 stacking
space in the new one, but it
really isn't a critical problem. If I wish to fire larger I have that option
in another
kiln for a reasonable fee.
Richard Aerni wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hello yet again,
>
> I've got a request from a friend concerning the use and effectiveness of
> small hi-fire gas kilns. This gentleman, an avocational potter in an
> urban area, wanted to know my feelings on building/using a small kiln in
> his backyard, a kiln in the 10-20 cubic foot range. Never having fired
> one smaller than 20 cubic feet, I was hard-pressed to answer his
> questions, and told him I'd throw it out to the clayart audience.
>
> What he's wondering, is how well a small kiln like this will
> fire...whether the small size allows one to fire evenly and subtly. Are
> there any commercial models out there which have worked well, or badly
> for you? He will be firing in reduction up to cone 10. The kiln will be
> placed outside...and since it is an urban area, the noise of a blower or
> power burner may be an issue. I seem to recall Mel writing about
> building a small MFT, but can't recall any of the details. If any of you
> care to respond to me about this, I will forward your replies to him.
>
> Thanks very much,
>
> Richard Aerni
> Bloomfield, NY rcaerni@servtech.com
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
Gari Whelon on sat 29 jan 00
Hi Richard:
I can't speak to the quality of the reduction and nuance but your friend
might want to check out a small kiln I saw this spring.
Randy Brodnax from Texas (Dallas I think), has built and is marketing a
take apart and easy assembly small and very portable high fire gas kiln.
I saw it fire to cone 6 and cool and cool in less than an 8 hour period and
I'm sure he said he does cone 10 in it.
It is basically 5 pre fab metal frames with ceramic fibre walls that fit
together over top of a quickly built hard or soft brick floor. Reduction is
controlled at the top chimney exit I believe. It fires on a single propane
burner fed in from the bottom side, basic updraft, room for a few shelves on
the version I saw. I think we fired about 12 or so medium sized pieces in
it, maybe more. I think he had another size as well.
Obviously it does not need to be fired as quickly as it did.
I'll leave it to Randy or others who know it to discuss the pros and cons
and nuances. I got some really nice crawl glaze pieces out of it, we
weren't trying for reduction in that firing, it was mostly a raku firing
with the added interest of this quickfire kiln.
It does fit the bill of being unobtrusive, it does however have some noise
from the burner, but not a lot.
I don't have Randys e-mail (assuming he has it) perhaps someone else would?
If you need more info to contact him let me know and I'll find an address or
phone number.
Richard if you get any private posts with other ideas please let me know,
I'm waiting for Olsen's and Ruthanne Tudballs books and when I get them and
reread Nils I should Hopefully finally be ready to decide on a design for a
good urban soda (dare I try salt?) kiln.
Gari Whelon
Proletariat Pots
Nanaimo, B.C.
whelon@island.net
Don Prey on sat 29 jan 00
In a message dated 1/28/2000 8:18:15 PM, rcaerni@servtech.com writes:
<< What he's wondering, is how well a small kiln like this will
fire...whether the small size allows one to fire evenly and subtly. >>
Hi Richard,
Here is my story: Two and a half years ago our group studio got a good price
on an existing, soft brick, sprung arch kiln sitting unused in a back yard
kiln shed. We took it apart and reassembled it in our kiln yard with a metal
roof for rain protection. It has 16 cubic feet of stacking space. The
design is not good.....too tall and narrow, but with some concerted attention
to bagwall design and firing schedule we ended up with a very useful kiln. I
feel confident that a kiln with proper proportions would be even better. I
unloaded this kiln today after a 15 hour, cone10 firing two days ago. We
had shino, celedon, copper red, tenmoku, iron red, and a lot of blue jeans
blue (old Genesee Pottery recipe). All very nice. I tested 3 different
porcelain bodies and was most happy with the outcome. So I say, why not?
Don Prey (ex-Bloomfieldien)
Gari Whelon on sun 30 jan 00
further to my message about Randy Brodnax's fibre kiln, I found his e-mail
address and a home page link
go to www.iflyfish.com scroll down and click on Randy Brodnax studio
when you get to Randy's site, click on Samples 3 and you will se the kiln I
tried to describe. I actually forgot the top was a pre-fab arch.
You can also e-mail Randy at rcb3431@dcccd.edu
Gari Whelon
Proletariat Pots
Nanaimo, B.C.
whelon@island.net
Herb Moses on sun 30 jan 00
Hello Richard. I have a Laguna 18 cu ft downdraft in an urban area. It
fires like a dream. It is quiet, too. We fire to cone 10 reduction.
Contact me for any questions.
Herb (in Palm Springs, where of course, it is warm and sunny)
herb@usapottery.com
http://www.usapottery.com
Palm Springs Pottery
198 S. Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Aerni
To:
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 12:04 PM
Subject: Small Gas Reduction Kiln Question
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hello yet again,
>
> I've got a request from a friend concerning the use and effectiveness of
> small hi-fire gas kilns. This gentleman, an avocational potter in an
> urban area, wanted to know my feelings on building/using a small kiln in
> his backyard, a kiln in the 10-20 cubic foot range. Never having fired
> one smaller than 20 cubic feet, I was hard-pressed to answer his
> questions, and told him I'd throw it out to the clayart audience.
>
> What he's wondering, is how well a small kiln like this will
> fire...whether the small size allows one to fire evenly and subtly. Are
> there any commercial models out there which have worked well, or badly
> for you? He will be firing in reduction up to cone 10. The kiln will be
> placed outside...and since it is an urban area, the noise of a blower or
> power burner may be an issue. I seem to recall Mel writing about
> building a small MFT, but can't recall any of the details. If any of you
> care to respond to me about this, I will forward your replies to him.
>
> Thanks very much,
>
> Richard Aerni
> Bloomfield, NY rcaerni@servtech.com
>
Charles and Tamara Schulz on tue 1 feb 00
Hello Richard,
At the art center where I work we have an 8cu.ft. Giel Downdraft. I fire to
^10 in red. about once a week. It's great. It fires even and consistant.
This thing is old...really old! Rusty, no controller, no auto ignition,
nothing. I fire with witness cones, eyes and ears. Good results each
time....except when I occasionally do something stupid...can't blame that
on the kiln.
We are ordering a new kiln this year and have decided on a larger model of
the same kiln.
Hope this helps.
Tamara
--Okinawa
>> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>> Hello yet again,
>>
>> I've got a request from a friend concerning the use and effectiveness of
>> small hi-fire gas kilns. This gentleman, an avocational potter in an
>> urban area, wanted to know my feelings on building/using a small kiln in
>> his backyard, a kiln in the 10-20 cubic foot range. Never having fired
>> one smaller than 20 cubic feet, I was hard-pressed to answer his
>> questions, and told him I'd throw it out to the clayart audience.
>>
>> What he's wondering, is how well a small kiln like this will
>> fire...whether the small size allows one to fire evenly and subtly. Are
>> there any commercial models out there which have worked well, or badly
>> for you? He will be firing in reduction up to cone 10. The kiln will be
>> placed outside...and since it is an urban area, the noise of a blower or
>> power burner may be an issue. I seem to recall Mel writing about
>> building a small MFT, but can't recall any of the details. If any of you
>> care to respond to me about this, I will forward your replies to him.
>>
>> Thanks very much,
>>
>> Richard Aerni
>> Bloomfield, NY rcaerni@servtech.com
>
Richard Aerni on wed 2 feb 00
A big thank you to everyone who so kindly responded to my query about the
efficacy of small high fire reduction kilns. I've forwarded all of your
replies to my friend and now it's up to him.
Richard Aerni
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