Imzadi D. on mon 28 jan 02
I want to fire at a more production level of pottery. The studios I've been
working out of can't handle that amount, or can't fire within a time frame I
need. (Am already missing a Valentine's Day sale opportunity.)
Basically, I need my own kiln. I found a great deal on a used 7 cu. ft
electric kiln that is the perfect size for me.
Unfortunately, the person who was going to let me rent out her garage to fire
out of backed out.
I currently can only afford to rent small guest houses or cottages that have
a private yard, (but where electricity is included in the rent -- it runs off
the main house -- so I can't hook up a kiln and pay a separate electric
bill.) And I can't afford the rental increase to get a bigger place of my own
where I can simply wire and fire an electric kiln.
So I'm thinking of the possibility of buying this electric kiln anyway and
converting it into a portable propane kiln and setting it in my current yard.
(Unless someone here on list has another great idea.) Then there would be no
physical wiring changes to the places I rent or added electrical charges.
I don't know ANYTHING about propane or a propane kiln except for fired in
other people's propane raku kilns though.)
Can anyone recommend electric to propane kiln conversion info? I think Steve
Branfman has a book doing this for raku kilns. Is the principle the same to
make this into a CONE 6 oxidation firing kiln? Should I get a smaller (raku)
size kiln and just fire more often?
Can I fire to Cone 6 using propane? How much propane is needed for a ^06
bisque and subsequent ^6 glaze firing? What minimum size tank do I need?
What dangers (like freezing) do I have to worry about with a propane tank in
Calif.? I don't think my neighbor does anything special with his BBQ propane
tank.
Should I wait until I find a used GAS kiln instead and convert that to
propane?
What will a propane environment do to my ^6 oxidation (electric) glazes?
Anyone know of someone in the greater Los Angeles/San Diego/Ventura or
surrounding area who can help me do this?
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Imzadi
KYancey on tue 29 jan 02
Here is a web site that offer elec to gas conversions. I haven't personaly tried
them, but they sound interesting.
http://swiftweb.com/summit/
Ken Y.
"Imzadi D." wrote:
> I want to fire at a more production level of pottery. The studios I've been
> working out of can't handle that amount, or can't fire within a time frame I
> need. (Am already missing a Valentine's Day sale opportunity.)
>
> Basically, I need my own kiln. I found a great deal on a used 7 cu. ft
> electric kiln that is the perfect size for me.
>
> Unfortunately, the person who was going to let me rent out her garage to fire
> out of backed out.
>
> I currently can only afford to rent small guest houses or cottages that have
> a private yard, (but where electricity is included in the rent -- it runs off
> the main house -- so I can't hook up a kiln and pay a separate electric
> bill.) And I can't afford the rental increase to get a bigger place of my own
> where I can simply wire and fire an electric kiln.
>
> So I'm thinking of the possibility of buying this electric kiln anyway and
> converting it into a portable propane kiln and setting it in my current yard.
> (Unless someone here on list has another great idea.) Then there would be no
> physical wiring changes to the places I rent or added electrical charges.
>
> I don't know ANYTHING about propane or a propane kiln except for fired in
> other people's propane raku kilns though.)
>
> Can anyone recommend electric to propane kiln conversion info? I think Steve
> Branfman has a book doing this for raku kilns. Is the principle the same to
> make this into a CONE 6 oxidation firing kiln? Should I get a smaller (raku)
> size kiln and just fire more often?
>
> Can I fire to Cone 6 using propane? How much propane is needed for a ^06
> bisque and subsequent ^6 glaze firing? What minimum size tank do I need?
>
> What dangers (like freezing) do I have to worry about with a propane tank in
> Calif.? I don't think my neighbor does anything special with his BBQ propane
> tank.
>
> Should I wait until I find a used GAS kiln instead and convert that to
> propane?
>
> What will a propane environment do to my ^6 oxidation (electric) glazes?
>
> Anyone know of someone in the greater Los Angeles/San Diego/Ventura or
> surrounding area who can help me do this?
>
> Thanks for any help or suggestions.
>
> Imzadi
>
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m markey on tue 29 jan 02
Hi Imazadi!
Once you get permission from the landlord to install a kiln, find out what
your local building codes, fire codes, and air quality standards are. Some
cities in CA are fairly strict about these, while rural areas are moreso
relaxed. Remember to check with the neighbors, too--folks who see smoke from
a backyard might call the fire dept., thinking that a disaster is occurring!
If you plan to high-fire (cone 10) or even mid-fire (cone 6), you'll need a
bigger tank than a propane grill would have. I'd expect that a 150-gallon
tank might suffice, if the kiln is small, but if you fire often, to
stoneware temps. it might require a bigger tank. There's nothing more
irritating (and potentially damaging) than running out of fuel before you
complete firing!
Since you weren't too specific about your location and your usual firing
temperatures, these are the basic caveats. I'm certain the kiln elders might
correct me about propane tank size, and provide you with further ideas.
Best wishes!
Mohabee NakedClay@hotmail.com
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