David Hendley on mon 9 apr 01
I think that electric kilns have traditionally been built
with thin walls partly so they can hold a decent amount
of ware yet still fit through doorways!
Once you have something that's more than 3 feet wide
in its smallest dimension, it can't be moved through
standard door openings.
Recent increases in electricity prices may prove to be
the catalyst that will raise the standards for electric
kiln insulation.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Chin-Purcell
To:
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2001 3:35 PM
Subject: Thin skinned
| The discussion about the new Paragon kiln got me
| to thinking about the low standard of what is
| "acceptable" for an electric kiln vs a fuel kiln.
| I like my 3" walled Skutt, but even with the "extra"
| insulation the temperature drops like a stone after
| reaching cone 8. Like many electric users I fire down
| in order to get decent glazes.
|
| Then consider the standard 2.5 inch wall thickness
| on an electric kiln rated for cone 10. With element groves
| you are really talking about 2" walls in places. Who
| would ever consider that acceptable for a fuel kiln using IFB's?
|
| Imagine building a small Minnesota flat top using a single
| thickness of IFB's, with the bricks laid on their narrow sides.
| That would be considered "good" insulation for an electric
| kiln, but laughable for a fuel kiln.
|
| Some of this could be attributed to the structural needs
| of larger fuel kilns, but I suspect not all. The standard
| is just different for electric kilns, it's considered acceptable
| to let the elements muscle their way up to temperature. It
| might just be an American thing too - I've seen more front
| loader style well insulated electric kilns in Ireland and the UK
| than I did in the US, although that may be due to sampling error.
|
| But it's had an influence on me. My next electric kiln will
| probably be a front loader with decent walls and roof.
|
| -- Ken Chin-Purcell
| www.chin-purcell.org
|
| |
|
