Daniel Dermer on fri 1 jun 01
I'm struggling with this decision too. I have
effectively decided to go with a West Coast Kiln,
because of cost. The vendor is offering a near-new 16
cu. ft. updraft for for just under $6k, including
delivery, hood, and safety pilot system, and 10
shelves (12x24"). The kiln is a return from a
customer who's fired it only a few times since
delivery three months ago.
Question -- should I be worried about even reduction
in this updraft model? The vendor assures me it will
fire to within half a cone (top to bottom), and will
produce even reduction with a little practice and
coaching.
Any comments appreciated --- especially if you fire a
West Coast Kiln and have advice or firing schedules,
tips/tricks, etc.
While a Geil or Bailey kiln would clearly be the best
option, the cost was nearly double, and delivery could
not be scheduled until September/October for the
Bailey.
-Dan
Studio Potter in San Jose, CA
dbdermer@yahoo.com
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Dannon Rhudy on fri 1 jun 01
>
>Question -- should I be worried about even reduction
>in this updraft model? The vendor assures me it will
>fire to within half a cone (top to bottom), and will
>produce even reduction with a little practice and
>coaching.......
I used to fire West Coast kilns all through grad school.
They fire easily and evenly, but it takes a bit of practice
until you learn the quirks of your particular kiln. They
have a tendency to want to fire fast - slow them down
if you want even top/bottom. Otherwise, they can
get away from you, have two cones difference top to
bottom. Just go slowly, and take your time. Listen to
the sound, and pay attention to the color and the smell
of the kiln, too. It is very helpful to stagger the shelves
when you load, so that heat can circulate freely. And
you'll have more even reduction, too. Put cone packs
all around, at first, until you are able to discern what
is going on while the kiln is hot. Then - just fire it.
Practice makes perfect. Or at least it makes better.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
Lee Burningham on fri 1 jun 01
A West Coaster will fire just fine. We have had a West Coast kiln in use in
a school setting for quite a few years now and have no complaints.
Lee Burningham
Box Elder H.S. where graduation is over and it is time to make more of my
own pots!
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Daniel Dermer
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001 11:49 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Choosing a Gas Kiln to Buy
I'm struggling with this decision too. I have
effectively decided to go with a West Coast Kiln,
because of cost. The vendor is offering a near-new 16
cu. ft. updraft for for just under $6k, including
delivery, hood, and safety pilot system, and 10
shelves (12x24"). The kiln is a return from a
customer who's fired it only a few times since
delivery three months ago.
Question -- should I be worried about even reduction
in this updraft model? The vendor assures me it will
fire to within half a cone (top to bottom), and will
produce even reduction with a little practice and
coaching.
Any comments appreciated --- especially if you fire a
West Coast Kiln and have advice or firing schedules,
tips/tricks, etc.
While a Geil or Bailey kiln would clearly be the best
option, the cost was nearly double, and delivery could
not be scheduled until September/October for the
Bailey.
-Dan
Studio Potter in San Jose, CA
dbdermer@yahoo.com
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35
a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
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Wade Blocker on fri 1 jun 01
Dan,
Years ago I purchased an updraft kiln from California Kiln Co ( I believe
that was their name) for the same financial reasons you are thinking of
buying the West Coast Kiln. It was far from perfect. With time I found that
only pots put into a certain position in the kiln would reduce properly. If
the kiln you are thinking of buying has reduction by means of closing or
opening the tiles on the lid, that is a very iffy proposition. A fraction
of an inch can spell disaster. Other than that the kiln would reach the
required temperature of cone 9 to 10. Since I was not making a living as a
potter it did not matter to me if the kiln did not reduce the same
throughout.Only for copper reds was positioning in the kiln important.Took
me a while to fire the kiln properly. Hope this helps. Mia in ABQ (formerly
in Northridge CA)
Joyce Lee on fri 1 jun 01
ok
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dannon Rhudy"
To:
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001 1:20 PM
Subject: Re: Choosing a Gas Kiln to Buy
> >
> >Question -- should I be worried about even reduction
> >in this updraft model? The vendor assures me it will
> >fire to within half a cone (top to bottom), and will
> >produce even reduction with a little practice and
> >coaching.......
>
> I used to fire West Coast kilns all through grad school.
> They fire easily and evenly, but it takes a bit of practice
> until you learn the quirks of your particular kiln. They
> have a tendency to want to fire fast - slow them down
> if you want even top/bottom. Otherwise, they can
> get away from you, have two cones difference top to
> bottom. Just go slowly, and take your time. Listen to
> the sound, and pay attention to the color and the smell
> of the kiln, too. It is very helpful to stagger the shelves
> when you load, so that heat can circulate freely. And
> you'll have more even reduction, too. Put cone packs
> all around, at first, until you are able to discern what
> is going on while the kiln is hot. Then - just fire it.
> Practice makes perfect. Or at least it makes better.
>
> regards
>
> Dannon Rhudy
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
Norman van der Sluys on sat 2 jun 01
Don't be afraid to buy an updraft kiln. I have fired an Olsen pattern updraft for
eight years. It typically fires within 1/2 cone top to bottom in the cone 6-7
range. Almost all of our work is in reduction.
We fired two weeks ago with our new oxygen probe. I found that I have been right
on the mark setting reduction via the damper by looking at the flame coming out of
the spy holes. Quite easy to do. (The Oxy probe did help in setting up neutral
conditions. I found I have been leaving the damper open too far and wasting fuel.
With that situation, there are few symptoms other than the time it takes to fire.)
Good luck with your kiln purchase, and remember that each kiln has its own
personality and may take a few tries to get those perfect results!
> Question -- should I be worried about even reduction
> in this updraft model? The vendor assures me it will
> fire to within half a cone (top to bottom), and will
> produce even reduction with a little practice and
> coaching.
>
--
Norman van der Sluys
by the shore of Lake Michigan, getting tired of all this rain!
Anne Wellings on sun 3 jun 01
I fired an Olsen 24 updraft for several years in a busy student studio,
so it was usually packed to the gills with a large variety of clays and
glazes. We did ^10 reduction. I found that if I got the amount of reduction
just right, the firing would be even top to bottom and the typical
reduction glazes ( copper reds, celadons, etc.) would turn out well. If one
reduced more than was necessary overall, the bottom would get too far
ahead. The flame out the ports was easy to read and the kiln was quickly
responsive to any adjustments in reduction either by using the damper or
the gas valve. When there was uneven reduction, it usually seemed to be due
to air leaks or the burners having become misaligned so that the flame did
not go straight up through the holes. When the kiln arch was rebuilt and
spaces around the door tightened up, this improved greatly.
I have never fired a downdraft kiln and would like to try it someday. But
if I was going to buy a gas kiln for myself, cost would be of utmost
importance. I would be very comfortable getting an Olsen kit, or perhaps I
would try a West Coast, since I've heard good things about them.
Anne
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