Ron & Nancy on wed 23 jan 02
Hi guys,
I am looking for some one who has experience with a rather new geil
kiln. At the college I attend, they have a geil kiln down draft Mod#
dlb545. I am in a work study program and pissed moaned when the firings
last semester were such a mess. every piece stuck to cookies, all the
pieces were over fired and reduction was spotty. I went to them to today
and requested, that I be in on the loading and firing this semester. And
as we talked I found out they were just learning the kiln. but seem to
be at an impasse. They called the geil company and asked what they could
do, as it is taking 15 hours to fire. The company reportedly told them
there is a guy in Cal that teaches and knows how to fast fire ( and
hopefully has a firing schedule) but we can't give out his name.
My personal experience is limited to up draft 10 sided gas kiln I
remade myself from an old skutt electric. I would really appreciate any
knowledge any one has about this. One of the things that is really
bothering me, is there is so many talented students, and I am sure this
is getting disappointing for them to never have a sucessful piece come
out of the kiln. I thought the first semester they were probably
calibrating the kiln with students work. When I inquired about it they
thought the glazes were not right. I knew most the glazes and had fired
them before. So I knew that was not where the problem was. But the kiln
person is not a ceramist but a metal sculpture artist, and while giving
it her all, she is having a hard time. I told her about clayart and all
the fine kiln masters, another resource she was unaware of. So if you
geil users out there will give us a hand, we will appreciate it. And so
will many students who think all the glazes come out the
same............. bad!!!
Thanks Nancy
Ted Whittemore on wed 23 jan 02
Nancy,
Geil Kilns come with a fairly straightforward set of
instructions for reduction firing. And they are not that
difficult to follow.
You do not say if you have them or not, and certainly if
you do not, you need them.
When we got our new car kiln August last we did not
find the instructions hard to follow. We did fire a little
too high until we learned to limit the oxidation clear at the end
and shut off a little earlier than Geil recommended, but that's it.
IF you want to discuss this further, pls email me off list.
Ted Whittemore
ted@amgpi.com
mariko cruse on wed 23 jan 02
Hi Ron and Nancy
I just went through a fantastic experience with my new Geil Kiln. I can
share my "does and don'ts" with you. Unfortunately, I must leave for Miami
now to attend the international symposium for Oriental pottery.
If you would like, call me at 904-641 8759 on or after Saturday.
Mariko Cruse
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron & Nancy"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 3:27 AM
Subject: HELP WITH GEIL KILN
> Hi guys,
> I am looking for some one who has experience with a rather new geil
> kiln. At the college I attend, they have a geil kiln down draft Mod#
> dlb545. I am in a work study program and pissed moaned when the firings
> last semester were such a mess. every piece stuck to cookies, all the
> pieces were over fired and reduction was spotty. I went to them to today
> and requested, that I be in on the loading and firing this semester. And
> as we talked I found out they were just learning the kiln. but seem to
> be at an impasse. They called the geil company and asked what they could
> do, as it is taking 15 hours to fire. The company reportedly told them
> there is a guy in Cal that teaches and knows how to fast fire ( and
> hopefully has a firing schedule) but we can't give out his name.
> My personal experience is limited to up draft 10 sided gas kiln I
> remade myself from an old skutt electric. I would really appreciate any
> knowledge any one has about this. One of the things that is really
> bothering me, is there is so many talented students, and I am sure this
> is getting disappointing for them to never have a sucessful piece come
> out of the kiln. I thought the first semester they were probably
> calibrating the kiln with students work. When I inquired about it they
> thought the glazes were not right. I knew most the glazes and had fired
> them before. So I knew that was not where the problem was. But the kiln
> person is not a ceramist but a metal sculpture artist, and while giving
> it her all, she is having a hard time. I told her about clayart and all
> the fine kiln masters, another resource she was unaware of. So if you
> geil users out there will give us a hand, we will appreciate it. And so
> will many students who think all the glazes come out the
> same............. bad!!!
> Thanks Nancy
>
>
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william schran on thu 24 jan 02
Nancy - I have not fired a Geil kiln, but will hopefully be getting
one sometime this semester. I have helped to build and fire various
"homemade" kilns in the past, so have some experience with firing and
working out the quirks of these kilns. Anyway, you stated pots were
sticking to "cookies" and are over fired. What kind of cookies are
being used? Are witness cones being used to determine firing
temperature? What temperature is the kiln fired to? Is the clay being
used compatible with the firing temperature? You said it takes a long
time to reach temperature. Are manufacturer's firing schedule/gas
pressure recommendations being followed? Are you getting minimum
required gas pressure?
Need more information to suggest solution.
Bill
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