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building a kiln shed

updated sun 28 apr 02

 

Cindi Anderson on wed 24 apr 02


How far from the studio (assuming wood walls) should the kiln be?
Cindi

Julie Milazzo on wed 24 apr 02


Awwwww...dammit! Has anyone ever told you guys that
you provide too much information? I was just checking
the archives for info on how to properly build a small
kilnshed, and, of course, came away with more
questions than answers. Not that I'm complaining; you
have probably saved my kilnshed and the woods next
door from spontaneous combustion! I still do have a
few questions, though.
First, We were going to have a metal roof, at a
slant, around two feet above the kiln. I have a
downdraft fiber kiln, roughly thirty two feet
interior, and I know (now) that fiber lets off more
heat than bricks. Is two feet enough? With the metal
roof, I thought it would be, and the walls are not
going to rise all the way up to the ceiling on any of
the sides, so venting shouldn't be a problem. Or
should it?
Second, My boyfriend wants to use pressure
treated four by four to hold up the roof. I read in
the archives that there shouldn't be any wood at all.
The walls were only going to go up around four feet or
so, to keep a draft away (and the walls were going to
be plywood, but I think I got the answer to that one:
metal, metal, metal). I'm just not sure how much heat
the kiln will give off, and while I would love to
build a larger shed someday, it's just not in the
budget rigt now. So, the plan for now is to have the
walls around eighteen inches/two feet from the walls
of the kiln. Even if it's metal, is it too close? I
like the idea of hinged walls a lot (so, if you write
back about this, press for the idea of hinged walls,
so Boyfriend can read it; he won't listen to me on
this one, but maybe one of you could do it). I'm also
in extreme heat here a lot of the time, so there's
added heatwork. My mind wants to explode.
Any information you have would be helpful; it's
really a lot more fun doing this than it sounds, but I
just want to make sure it's as safe as possible. I
have a feeling that in this area, if a mistake is
made, you don't get a second try, so no forest fires,
no explosions, none of my normal shenanigans...Thanks,
Jules

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David Hendley on wed 24 apr 02


First of all: metal, metal, metal.
No wood.

I don't understand why you want to have walls of any kind,
unless you live in a very harsh climate - very cold in the
winter or very windy.
If you do build walls, 18-24 inches away from the kiln is too
close for me, not so much for fire safety as much as just not
being enough room to work around.
You might consider big sliding doors rather than walls.
I would also like to see your roof at least 3 feet, not 2 feet,
above the kiln, even if it is a steel roof and steel framework.
Just my preferences. I'd hate to feel boxed in.

David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
hendley@tyler.net
http://www.farmpots.com




----- Original Message -----
From: "Julie Milazzo"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 2:39 PM
Subject: building a kiln shed


> First, We were going to have a metal roof, at a
> slant, around two feet above the kiln. I have a
> downdraft fiber kiln, roughly thirty two feet
> interior, and I know (now) that fiber lets off more
> heat than bricks. Is two feet enough? With the metal
> roof, I thought it would be, and the walls are not
> going to rise all the way up to the ceiling on any of
> the sides, so venting shouldn't be a problem. Or
> should it?

Marcia Selsor on wed 24 apr 02


Dear Julie,
Be sure to spray your fiber kiln with Itc. It will help with the insulation
and
protect you from the fiber.
I have a fiber kiln about the size of yours. It has a metal covering over
the
whole thing. I build my shed to have the walls not quite to the ground. I
also
have a metal hood which came with the kiln (used) and caused the roof to go
higher.
Best wishes,
Marcia

Julie Milazzo wrote:

> Awwwww...dammit! Has anyone ever told you guys that
> you provide too much information? I was just checking
> the archives for info on how to properly build a small
> kilnshed, and, of course, came away with more
> questions than answers. Not that I'm complaining; you
> have probably saved my kilnshed and the woods next
> door from spontaneous combustion! I still do have a
> few questions, though.
> First, We were going to have a metal roof, at a
> slant, around two feet above the kiln. I have a
> downdraft fiber kiln, roughly thirty two feet
> interior, and I know (now) that fiber lets off more
> heat than bricks. Is two feet enough? With the metal
> roof, I thought it would be, and the walls are not
> going to rise all the way up to the ceiling on any of
> the sides, so venting shouldn't be a problem. Or
> should it?
> Second, My boyfriend wants to use pressure
> treated four by four to hold up the roof. I read in
> the archives that there shouldn't be any wood at all.
> The walls were only going to go up around four feet or
> so, to keep a draft away (and the walls were going to
> be plywood, but I think I got the answer to that one:
> metal, metal, metal). I'm just not sure how much heat
> the kiln will give off, and while I would love to
> build a larger shed someday, it's just not in the
> budget rigt now. So, the plan for now is to have the
> walls around eighteen inches/two feet from the walls
> of the kiln. Even if it's metal, is it too close? I
> like the idea of hinged walls a lot (so, if you write
> back about this, press for the idea of hinged walls,
> so Boyfriend can read it; he won't listen to me on
> this one, but maybe one of you could do it). I'm also
> in extreme heat here a lot of the time, so there's
> added heatwork. My mind wants to explode.
> Any information you have would be helpful; it's
> really a lot more fun doing this than it sounds, but I
> just want to make sure it's as safe as possible. I
> have a feeling that in this area, if a mistake is
> made, you don't get a second try, so no forest fires,
> no explosions, none of my normal shenanigans...Thanks,
> Jules
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Games - play chess, backgammon, pool and more
> http://games.yahoo.com/
>
>
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Earl Brunner on wed 24 apr 02


I built my shed using steel studs, and aluminum siding. I put a corrugated
steel
roof on it, and hinged it at the top. One side is bolted down, the other
side is
clamped down with "C" clamps when I'm not firing. When I fire, I take the
"C"
clamps off and prop the one side up. I have less than two feet clearance
around the
kiln, and less then two feet from the top of the flue (Geil kiln, with the
flue
level with the top of the back of the kiln). I have a second sheet of
corrugated
steel pop riveted on the inside of the roof with dead air in the middle, it
keeps
the heat from damaging the outside sheet, If and when the inside sheet gets
too
heat damaged I'll replace it. but it's holding up really well. Of course it
never
rains here, and it's drier than a Lawrence Welk joke the rest of the time.

If your wall is open between the top of the wall and the roof, that should
help a
lot, but how much is a guess. I'd still avoid wood. Your hinged wall idea
might
be good as well.

Julie Milazzo wrote:

> Awwwww...dammit! Has anyone ever told you guys that
> you provide too much information? I was just checking
> the archives for info on how to properly build a small
> kilnshed, and, of course, came away with more
> questions than answers. Not that I'm complaining; you
> have probably saved my kilnshed and the woods next
> door from spontaneous combustion! I still do have a
> few questions, though.
> First, We were going to have a metal roof, at a
> slant, around two feet above the kiln. I have a
> downdraft fiber kiln, roughly thirty two feet
> interior, and I know (now) that fiber lets off more
> heat than bricks. Is two feet enough? With the metal
> roof, I thought it would be, and the walls are not
> going to rise all the way up to the ceiling on any of
> the sides, so venting shouldn't be a problem. Or
> should it?
> --

Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net

Richard Aerni on thu 25 apr 02


I would echo David's comments on the kiln shed...metal all the way. What
will happen with wood is that the oils will slowly dissipate over time as
they are heated by the radiant kiln energy, so that the combustion
temperature of the wood will be much lower than normal (451 degrees
Fahrenheit?). This means that a fire could occur at temperatures one would
normally consider safe.

Up here in true upstate New York, I would not consider building a kiln in a
roofed space without walls. The weather is too severe, and the wind is ever
present. I've got mine in a metal pole barn, which has only wood for the
large poles, trusses, and nailing plates over the trusses. I cut out all
the wood over the kiln and replaced it with angle iron. Even so, if I had
it to do over again, I'd go with metal trusses and metal 2 x 4s. My
clearance on the side is 4 feet, and the walls are lined with two layers of
gypsum board, and a layer of heat board, and still the wood is too dry.
The clearance over the top of the kiln is 5 feet...I wish it were greater.
I fire with every door and window open (including large sliding door) just
to keep the air moving and fresh.

Better to do it right the first time, rather than go back and try to
retrofit.

Best,
Richard Aerni
Bloomfield, NY

David Hendley wrote:

> First of all: metal, metal, metal.
> No wood.
>
> I don't understand why you want to have walls of any kind,
> unless you live in a very harsh climate - very cold in the
> winter or very windy.
> If you do build walls, 18-24 inches away from the kiln is too
> close for me, not so much for fire safety as much as just not
> being enough room to work around.
> You might consider big sliding doors rather than walls.
> I would also like to see your roof at least 3 feet, not 2 feet,
> above the kiln, even if it is a steel roof and steel framework.
> Just my preferences. I'd hate to feel boxed in.

Liz Gowen on sat 27 apr 02


> > metal, metal, metal

The metal sheds I have priced out would add another couple grand
to the cost of the kiln. I also live in the woods with blueberry
undergrowth that holds the leaves in place. and it is beautiful but
flammable. Has anyone built a shed out of cinder block with a metal
roof. Seems like this might be a bit less. The size kiln I am
looking at is the 12 cu ft Geil. Because it has some electrical
components I believe it needs to be totally enclosed. Any thoughts
on affordable and not bad looking ideas would be appreciated. ( am
in a residential neighborhood but have a wooded acre.and don't want
to wreck my view) Yes don't tell anyone but there is some darn
beautiful areas in New Jersey.
Liz Gowen NJ USA