Alan D. Scott on thu 27 sep 01
After having been away from clay for 25 years, I'm planning on buying a kiln
soon in support of my hobbyist (and perhaps someday a part-time side
venture). My previous experience was with a large electric kiln in a
university ceramics studio (i.e. no experience with a gas fired kiln). My
present property layout, etc. strongly favors installing a propane gas kiln.
Aside from all the pro's and con's about setting up a propane gas versus
electric kiln, what are the practical strengths and weaknesses of operating
a propane vs. electric kiln? (I don't see any immediate need for reduction
firing, and I have enough technical background to develop a reduction
atmosphere in an electric kiln if needed in the future.) Thanks in advance
for your kind input!
Alan Scott
in sunny Parker, AZ
n9bac@earthlink.net
Klyf Brown on fri 28 sep 01
Alan, welcome
I thought my 20 year absence from clay was long. You have me beat.
The main problem with propane is that it is heavier than air. If you
have a leak or a flameout, the gas will follow the contour of the earth
and collect in a low spot and sit there and wait for a source of ignition.
Unlike house gas, it wont mix with the air and dissipate. Also the price
has gone nuts. If Cal gets it's hands on Palo Verde nuclear energy, the
price of electricity in your neighborhood could also go nuts. Propane
can be portable, without a generator electricity can not. (but then
there are those really long jumper cables and a tall fiberglass ladder,
althougth the provider does frown on this method of electric
aquisition).
The type of heat has an effect on the ware. Some types of work want
the sterile heat of an electric kiln, some work wants the kiln to impart
it's own hand in the finish.
I am not sure of the source, but it was probably Fredric Olsen that
had a list of "regality" of fire. Ascending order: electric, house gas,
propane, diesel, waste oil, wood, and I would add wood/salt at the
end.
Reduction in an electric will ruin most the elements unless they are
coated.
Klyf Brown, next door in New Mexico
/27/01 11:57:38 PM, "Alan D. Scott"
wrote:
>After having been away from clay for 25 years, I'm planning on
buying a kiln
>soon in support of my hobbyist (and perhaps someday a part-time
side
>venture). My previous experience was with a large electric kiln in a
>university ceramics studio (i.e. no experience with a gas fired kiln).
My
>present property layout, etc. strongly favors installing a propane gas
kiln.
>
>Aside from all the pro's and con's about setting up a propane gas
versus
>electric kiln, what are the practical strengths and weaknesses of
operating
>a propane vs. electric kiln? (I don't see any immediate need for
reduction
>firing, and I have enough technical background to develop a
reduction
>atmosphere in an electric kiln if needed in the future.) Thanks in
advance
>for your kind input!
>
>Alan Scott
>in sunny Parker, AZ
>n9bac@earthlink.net
>
>___________________________________________________
___________________________
>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.
>
>
| |
|
