Sheila Tarshis on wed 19 apr 00
Hi, all
I need help and/or advice on soaking in a gas kiln. I finished building a gas
kiln-- 66 cubic feet and was wondering about the soaking part on the cone 04
glaze firing. Previously, all firings were in an electric kiln. I would soak,
after the temperature was reached, for 30 minutes. Is this possible and if
so, how can I do it?
Would appreciate any info and thought the list would be the best venue for
that help.
TIA
Sheila
Hank Murrow on sat 22 apr 00
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi, all
>
>I need help and/or advice on soaking in a gas kiln. I finished building a gas
>kiln-- 66 cubic feet and was wondering about the soaking part on the cone 04
>glaze firing. Previously, all firings were in an electric kiln. I would soak,
>after the temperature was reached, for 30 minutes. Is this possible and if
>so, how can I do it?
>
>Would appreciate any info and thought the list would be the best venue for
>that help.
>TIA
>Sheila
Dear Sheila; The reason for soaking an electric kiln is to provide a slower
cooling cycle than these smallish kilns can manage on their own. With a
large kiln such as you describe, there is enough heat storage in the mass
of masonry to provide such a cycle naturally; and you may not need to soak.
Heat loss through the surface of a small kiln is greater than through the
skin of a large kiln because while surface increases by the power of two,
volume increases by the power of three. This is why Elephants eat low carb
green stuff and move hairless bodies real slowly; while hummingbirds eat
pure sugar and move highly insulated bodies very rapidly.......their
surface overwhelms their volume.....just the reverse for an elephant. If
you still think you need a soak, I'll be glad to advise. Meanwhile, I hope
this helps, Hank in Eugene
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