Roger Korn on wed 25 jul 01
Deb is right-on with her comments about the importance of using
insulating fire brick in this design. Backing up with 2 in. of Kaowool
on the sides and top is even better. ITC100 coating on the interior
walls and top also brings more efficiency.
This design is also an ideal one for dual fuel (wood-gas). Stick two
MR-750 burners in each of the two entry flues for 300,000 BTU/Hr input,
use an exit flue damper for secondary air control, put a two-brick vent
at about 8 feet high in the stack to reduce draft when firing on gas.
For safety, each burner assembly should have a pilot and BASO valve. Me,
I just stay there the whole time and monitor temp and atmosphere.
When firing on wood, ample draft is critical with the tight grate that
these kilns like, so a 16 to 20 foot stack makes sense, particularly at
higher altitudes. Go up 4-6 feet with brick, then a 10" metal stack with
the first 4 feet lined with 1 inch Kaowool. I use 18 ga. duct scrounged
from construction dumpsters. Probably will need replacement after 30
firings, but the price is right.
Roger Korn
McKay Creek Ceramics
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