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geil firing schedules: need help

updated wed 7 aug 02

 

Priscilla Hollingsworth on tue 6 aug 02


We just got a new Geil kiln at my school. I am reading and rereading
the instruction manuals, but I still have a question that someone on
Clayart may be able to answer. Although we plan to use the Geil mostly
for cone 9-10 reduction firings, it is just too tempting to occasionally
use it also for large scale sculpture that will not fit into an electric
kiln. I am talking about once-firing from a raw state to cone 03 or
so. Does anyone have experience using a Geil for this? Specifically,
how long do you candle for pieces that have walls that are a half inch
or more thick and that are several feet high? And exactly how do you
candle? Do you use the pilot burner system only, or do you use the
regular burners also? Have you tried using the computer controller to
soak the kiln at 200 degrees more or less F.? Does the controller work
at temperatures so low?

Since I was successful at getting the Geil's predecessor (homemade,
potter-built highfire gas reduction kiln with no gauges at all) to fire
sculpture in lowfire oxidation, I would bet that the Geil can do it,
too. But it would be great to get some pointers from people with
experience. I've searched the Clayart archives, but haven't found a
question like mine yet.

--
Priscilla Hollingsworth
Associate Professor of Art/Art Coordinator
Fine Arts Dept./Augusta State University
Augusta, GA 30904
Homepage: http://www.aug.edu/~artpxh/
mailto:pholling@aug.edu