Cindy Strnad on thu 28 sep 00
Hi, June.
I don't know the answers to many of your questions, but I can help you with
a few of them. First, you can't remove the elements once you've fired them
the first time. If you want to do ITC, you'll have to dip them first, or
else spray them with the rest of the kiln. I'm sure dipping them is a much
better option.
Second, that warrantee is good to have if you lose a computer board, or if
some of the electronics go wrong. They shouldn't negate that part of it,
because the ITC won't affect whether your relays or your computer work
properly. Just don't spray the computer, okay? I don't know about coating
the thermocouple, but I would ask someone like Mel about that. Elements
aren't all that expensive to replace. I would be willing to lose the
warantee on the elements if I decided to use ITC. At any rate, if you do
need to replace a part, don't tell them you ITC'd the kiln, okay?
I have my kilns in an unheated area. I did have trouble starting up one
time, when it was around -10 degrees C., but I switched the controller to F,
and was able to fire the kiln. My fingers were awfully stiff, loading the
thing. When it got humid this spring, I had some problems--element wires
corroding in two. I don't think this was related to the humidity, but I
couldn't swear to it. Anyway, I worked on the connections--cleaning,
tightening, and didn't have any more trouble.
Of course, it also stopped raining. Stopped completely. To the point
where an arsonist was able to burn up 85,000 acres. They haven't caught the
culprit yet, but I hope they sentence him/her to fight forest fires in the
front lines for the next 80 years or so.
Anyway, you're smart to place your kilns in an out-building, rather than
your studio or living space. You'll like that better, even though it's less
convenient. I hope everything works well for you.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
www.earthenvesselssd.com
David McDonald on thu 28 sep 00
June,
I've used my Paragon electric kiln, with digital controler, outdoors in
a covered but uninsulated area for years, with no problems. We reach
temps of down to 0 degrees F. in the winter in the mountains here in
Arizona. David
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June Perry on thu 28 sep 00
Hi Everyone,
I just ordered a Skutt cone 10 kiln, model #KM-1227PK. It comes with a
digital controller mounted on the kiln (no other option). Drat! I had hoped I
could have it wall mounted and use it on my little test kiln. I asked about
them installing a separate kiln sitter and timer, they said they can supply
it and drill the necessary holes, but would not install it because the kiln
would not be UL approved if they did.
Is there a benefit to having it along with the digital controller?
Also, they won't ITC the kiln and said that if I ITC'd the bricks and
elements it it would negate my warranty if anything went wrong.
Has anyone ITC'd their Skutt and elements? I love the stuff and have used it
on my gas kiln and all my kiln furniture.
The feedback that I got from them, via my supplier, on the ITC is that it is
an unknown which makes me wonder why they aren't exploring it's possibilities!
Another question -- if I fire the kiln a few times without any ITCcoating,
will I still be able to remove the fired elements and dip them in the ITC.
As you can tell by now, my knowledge of electricity is pretty sparse!
My plan is to put this kiln in my kiln shed (a unheated, but fully enclosed
metal building). Is anyone else firing a digitally controlled kiln in an
unheated building in a temperate climate? I'm in S.Oregon and our winters
are short and pretty mild with night temperatures in the 20's and thirties.
Skutt recommends not firing it under 32 degrees Fahrenheit and that won't be
a problem since our winter day time temperatures are usually well above that;
but I'm interested in how the damp coldish weather might affect the
electronics.
If I have to I could put it in my studio, but I'd rather not give up the
space. Also, I'm planning on playing with crystalline glazes with manganese
and nickel, etc. so I'd prefer not to have those fumes anywhere near my
living or working area, even with the Environvent.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Warm regards,
June
Cindy Strnad on fri 29 sep 00
Hi, June.
Ask the manufacturer, but I don't think you need to worry about keeping your
kiln warm--just maybe dry. The way I understand it, the difficulty starting
up in sub-zero temperatures is a function of the computer not being
programed to handle the negative numbers, and not of the actual cold
environment.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
www.earthenvesselssd.com
Ken Chin-Purcell on fri 29 sep 00
> Hi Everyone,
Hi June!
> I just ordered a Skutt cone 10 kiln, model #KM-1227PK. [...]
> I asked about them installing a separate kiln sitter and timer [...]
> Is there a benefit to having it along with the digital controller?
As a safety backup, yes, but in normal circumstances, I can't think of one.
Be sure to explore using the controller for controlled cooling.
I find my glazes are "softer" with a soak at about 200C below
the top temp.
> Has anyone ITC'd their Skutt and elements?
I'm sure lots of people have, myself included. Since I wasn't
planning on reducing in the kiln I didn't treat the elements
separately. I just coated bricks and elements in place with two
light coats of ITC 100. The kiln fires well and I've had no
problems with spalling.
> The feedback that I got from them, via my supplier, on the ITC is that it is
> an unknown which makes me wonder why they aren't exploring it's possibilities!
Probably the benefits from their perspective are small (they
aren't paying the electricity) while they may be unsure of the long
term durablitity. I fire to 1250C (cone 8) so I wanted to protect
the kiln. Also my Skutt is wired for 240V but Ireland is only 230V,
so I wanted to give the kiln some help.
> Is anyone else firing a digitally controlled kiln in an
> unheated building in a temperate climate?
My studio is heated some but it is very damp here. I run a dehumdifier
in the studio so I can get work done. Kiln seems fine.
-- Ken Chin-Purcell (Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland)
Chris Clarke on fri 29 sep 00
June,
I fired a skutt (1027km) in Colorado in an unheated barn, I had no water
or heat the first winter, in the dead of winter. I didn't have any
problems, guess I should have read the instructions better. Now I fire it in
a studio in southern california but that's a little different.
And after you fire it you won't be able to take out the elements, they
get brittle.
chris clarke
Temecula, CA
chris@ccpots.com
www.ccpots.com
----- Original Message -----
From: June Perry
To:
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2000 7:00 PM
Subject: Could use some help with my new Electric kiln and ITC etc.
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I just ordered a Skutt cone 10 kiln, model #KM-1227PK. It comes with a
> digital controller mounted on the kiln (no other option). Drat! I had
hoped I
> could have it wall mounted and use it on my little test kiln. I asked
about
> them installing a separate kiln sitter and timer, they said they can
supply
> it and drill the necessary holes, but would not install it because the
kiln
> would not be UL approved if they did.
> Is there a benefit to having it along with the digital controller?
> Also, they won't ITC the kiln and said that if I ITC'd the bricks and
> elements it it would negate my warranty if anything went wrong.
> Has anyone ITC'd their Skutt and elements? I love the stuff and have used
it
> on my gas kiln and all my kiln furniture.
> The feedback that I got from them, via my supplier, on the ITC is that it
is
> an unknown which makes me wonder why they aren't exploring it's
possibilities!
> Another question -- if I fire the kiln a few times without any ITCcoating,
> will I still be able to remove the fired elements and dip them in the ITC.
> As you can tell by now, my knowledge of electricity is pretty sparse!
> My plan is to put this kiln in my kiln shed (a unheated, but fully
enclosed
> metal building). Is anyone else firing a digitally controlled kiln in an
> unheated building in a temperate climate? I'm in S.Oregon and our winters
> are short and pretty mild with night temperatures in the 20's and
thirties.
> Skutt recommends not firing it under 32 degrees Fahrenheit and that won't
be
> a problem since our winter day time temperatures are usually well above
that;
> but I'm interested in how the damp coldish weather might affect the
> electronics.
> If I have to I could put it in my studio, but I'd rather not give up the
> space. Also, I'm planning on playing with crystalline glazes with
manganese
> and nickel, etc. so I'd prefer not to have those fumes anywhere near my
> living or working area, even with the Environvent.
> Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Warm regards,
> June
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Ingeborg Foco on fri 29 sep 00
Dear June,
I was just at Georgies the other day checking into the same model you have
and asking the same ITC questions. If you value your warrantee DON'T REMOVE
ELEMENTS AND DON'T SPRAY WITH ITC. It will be null and void. To lie about
it in the event of a problem is dishonest and those kinds of things can and
frequently do become more complicated.
It is easy for someone to tell you to go ahead and just do it. They aren't
going to open their pocket book and pay for your loss should it come to
that. Personally, I always follow manufacturer's specs and requirements.
If I have a warranty problem, I can be very demanding since I have done
everything required and it is now up to them to do their part.
As for Skutt and why they don't do more testing in this area...they are a
very conservative company and are just not on the cutting edge so to speak.
Don't look to them for any answers in this area for a long time. However,
they make great kilns and are a reputable company. I've had a little Skutt
kiln that I've used for bisque firings for close to 20 years.
Living near the Portland,Oregon area our weather is pretty mild too.
However, on occasion we are known to get a cold spell....- 10 to -15oF. I
would investigate either putting insulation in your shed (pretty simple job
with fiberglass batts or make a cover of insulation to pop over your
kiln ---sort of like a tea cozy. You could staple the insulation to canvass
or an old sheet. If insulation keeps pipes from freezing, it should
certainly keep your new kiln warm.
Good luck,
Ingeborg
ifoco@teleport.com
June Perry on fri 29 sep 00
Hi Cindy:
Thanks so much for your input. South Dakota gets pretty cold! Fortunatley,
here in Southern Oregon our winters are really mild and I think I might just
make a kind of tea cozy for the kiln using home insulation that comes in
rolls with foil on both sides or just wrap it in thick upholstery foam. That
would keep the kiln nice and warm during those damp, colder nights.
Thanks again!
Warm regards,
June
June Perry on fri 29 sep 00
Dear Ingeborg
We don't get quite as cold down here as you do, but I already thought about
making a kind of "tea cozy" for the kiln using either home insulation or just
some nice three or 4" foam.
Feedback on this has been that the kiln have worked well in climates much
harsher than mine; but I think I'll take the "tea cozy" precaution. Come to
think of it, I have some old moving padding blankets that I could use.
I think I will go ahead and do the ITC. It has been used enough on electric
kilns the past couple of years and the concensus seems to be very good as to
it's safety as well as the benefits to the kiln and and insulating qualities.
I'm willing to take the chance with it.
The only gamble I feel I'd be taking is if there is a problem with the kiln
and I won't find that out until the first firing and I'm told I can't remove
the elements once they've been fired because of the brittle nature of a fired
element. Since I may want to reduce in this kiln at some point, I do want to
coat it.
Thanks for yours and everyone else's feedback on this.
Thanks again!
June
Diane Woloshyn on fri 29 sep 00
Hi June,
Have two electrics that I sprayed with ITC. The Paragon has all new elements
that I dipped first and then sprayed to use for reduction. One of the new
elements broke before it was ever fired more than cone 06. Had to replace it
and it was terrible. Had sprayed this kiln very heavily and the grooves were
very small. The ITC gets hard as cement. Broke a couple of new bricks
getting it out. Put the new element in and recoated the new bricks. Have
fired this kiln once on bisque just to see how fast it fired. Went very
well. Am today, as I am typing, firing this kiln in reduction for the first
time. Have never fired any gas kiln before and have only read about it.
This firing is per Mayor Mel's directions. We will see.
My Scutt kiln had to have an element replaced so I dipped that one and
sprayed the rest of the inside of the kiln but not to heavily. It improved
its performance considerably. Would do it again.
Diane Florida Bird Lady
Diane G. Echlin on sat 30 sep 00
Perhaps I'm misunderstanding what you mean by "thick upholstery foam," but is this
foam fire/melt proof? insulation, if it's fibreglass, might begin to break down if
it is often disturbed, releasing the fibre into the air (bad for skin and lungs)
and i am wary of the thought of wrapping the kiln in anything besides the ceramic
fibre blankets made for kilns....
Am I missing something here?
Diane in CT
.... and I think I might just
> ... wrap it in thick upholstery foam. That
> would keep the kiln nice and warm during those damp, colder nights.
>
> Thanks again!
> Warm regards,
> June
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
June Perry on sat 30 sep 00
Yes, Dianne you are missing something. :-) The idea of the foam blanket is
just to keep the kiln a bit protected from the weather when it is NOT being
fired. :-)
Regards,
June
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