Betsy Fortuna on thu 5 jun 03
Hi, I'm Betsy and this is my first post here.
I had been using my former school's kilns, but have
just moved and have decided to get my own, at least
for bisque firings.
I want to get an electric kiln of 7 cubic feet that
will go to cone 10. Along with bisque, I expect to
use it for some cone 6 and higher glaze firings.
Maybe later I can get a gas kiln, but for now, I'll
buy time somewhere.
The stores nearby have several brands, and among them,
I've been drawn to Skutt and L&L's easyfire as being
reasonably priced with decent quality and features.
I want a computer, a vent, and 3" brick.
I've read good things about service from Skutt and
Paragon, and Cone Art kilns seem to be highly
regarded, too.
I'll be making mostly functional pots and thought it
would be better to get one that's wider than deep.
So, my questions are,
Should I consider spending more money for something
like the Cone Art which seems to be (at least
slightly) better made?
Should I consider other brands besides the Skutt and
L&L?
Is one of those preferable to the other?
Is it a sound choice to choose the lower, wider model?
Are there other questions I should be asking?
Thanks very much in advance for your advice.
-Betsy
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Snail Scott on fri 6 jun 03
At 07:04 PM 6/5/03 -0700, you wrote:
>Is it a sound choice to choose the lower, wider [kiln] model?
Depends on the work you're planning to do. A wider
kiln gives much greater flexibility in loading if
you are doing plates, platters, wide bowls, mural
tile, and other things that will use lots of
shelf space for their height. You can almost always
use a few larger shelves more efficiently than a
greater number of smaller shelves. But, if you are
planning to do vases and ewers, or vertically-
oriented sculpture, you may prefer to hold out for
height.
-Snail
Lois Ruben Aronow on fri 6 jun 03
I can only vouch for Skutt. I love mine. Never a problem, and I fire
often. Any time I've ever needed customer service they've been beyond
helpful (thanks Perry!) I have a 3 phase 1027KM. It fires nice and
evenly and is easy to program. =20
I sold a used skutt to a friend who needed to convert it from 3 phase
to single phase. Skutt walked her through the removal of the box,
which she then shipped to them for reprogramming. I think they
charged her maybe 100 bucks, helped her on which elements she needed,
and how to replace them. =20
I always feel that customer service is nearly as important as the
product.
************
www.loisaronow.com
=46ine Craft Porcelain and Pottery
***************************************
Lois Ruben Aronow
Modern Porcelain and Tableware
http://www.loisaronow.com=20
Bob Nicholson on sat 7 jun 03
>Should I consider spending more money for something
>like the Cone Art which seems to be (at least
>slightly) better made?
>
I'm really happy with my ConeArt, and the Bartlett
controller is great... easy to program and very
flexible.
I bought the ConeArt from our local distributor, based
on a recommendation from a friend who had just bought one.
Since then, two other people here have bought ConeArt's
based on my recommendation.
Betsy Fortuna on sun 8 jun 03
Thanks to Snail, Lois, and Bob.
As you can tell, I'm pretty new to this business and
have a lot to learn. I do need all the help I can
get. I have a followup question to some of the advice
I got. Someone sent me this in private email
> However... if you are going to fire to Cone 10
> consistently, then I would really recommend a higher
> powered kiln than any of these, and that is the
> Paragon Viking 24. You will notice it is more amps
> and has to be direct wired (instead of having a
> plug). This kiln was made in response to potters on
> this list who complained that their other kilns
> could not reach Cone 10.
Without meaning to disrespect the person who sent this
to me, I'd love your opinions if it is really the case
that the Skutt, L&L, and Coneart are underpowered or
would otherwise not be a wise choice for consistent
cone 10 firings. I don't intend to do cone 10
exclusively, but I would like to be able to.
I spent quite some time reading the archives and found
some older and conflicting advice and would like some
up to date opinions.
Thank you in advance for your help.
- Betsy
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Lois Ruben Aronow on mon 9 jun 03
You really need to talk to the manufacturers of the kilns you're
considering if you plan to fire to cone 10 regularly. In fact,
before buying ANY electric kiln you should do this, so that you may
consult with your electrician before the kiln arrive to insure easy
installation.
My Skutt 1027 can reach cone 10 - regularly (although I never fire
past ^7), but Skutt told me I would be replacing the elements very
very often. They also provided me with wiring diagrams and a picture
of the plug/outlet thingy. Sorry - I'm a potter, not an electrician.
I have no idea what it's called. My electrician was able to provide
the wiring and the outlet weeks before the kiln arrived. Knock wood I
have never had a problem. =20
As far as being "underpowered", you should consider where you are
putting the kiln. For example, I rent a commercial storefront for my
studio, and thus have 3 phase power. Costs less to run my kiln and
provides better amperage. BUT - The people in the basement of my
store have L&L kilns, and have had plenty of problems with amperage,
and spent months with both L&L, the electric company, and the supplier
trying to work it out. There was a 2 cone difference between the top
and the bottom that was due to this problem. For that reason alone, I
would stay away from L&L kilns. The electrician did the whole store
at the same time, yet the L&L's required more power AND a separate
meter. We are both firing 3 phase kilns. =20
So, to make a short story long, talk to the manufacturers of the kilns
you are considering. And if they don't have the time to spend
discussing it with you, don't buy their kiln. Customer service is so
very important.=20
>Without meaning to disrespect the person who sent this
>to me, I'd love your opinions if it is really the case
>that the Skutt, L&L, and Coneart are underpowered or
>would otherwise not be a wise choice for consistent
>cone 10 firings. I don't intend to do cone 10
>exclusively, but I would like to be able to.
>
************
www.loisaronow.com
=46ine Craft Porcelain and Pottery
***************************************
Lois Ruben Aronow
Modern Porcelain and Tableware
http://www.loisaronow.com=20
Lily Krakowski on mon 9 jun 03
Rule of thumb used to be that a kiln should NEVER be fired to full
"potential" but [at least] two cones lower. In other words you do not take
a c.8 rated kiln higher than c.6. No idea if this still applies. ASK
manufacturer. I would not fire a c.10 rated kiln to more than c.8 UNLESS
THE MANUFACTURER SAYS IT IS OK.
Am I repeating an " old wives' tale" ? No idea. Maybe...Maybe not.
Betsy Fortuna writes:
> I have a followup question to some of the advice
> I got. Someone sent me this in private email
>
>> However... if you are going to fire to Cone 10
>> consistently, then I would really recommend a higher
> powered kiln than any of these, and that is the
>> Paragon Viking 24. You will notice it is more amps
>> and has to be direct wired (instead of having a
>> plug).
>
>
> __________________________________
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
Arnold Howard on mon 9 jun 03
Paragon came out with the Viking kilns several years ago due to
complaints that potters couldn't fire to cone 10 regularly. A 10-sided
Viking draws 60 amps at 240 volts. You can fire the Viking to cone 10.
We designed it specifically for that temperature.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P.
www.paragonweb.com
From: Lily Krakowski
> Rule of thumb used to be that a kiln should NEVER be fired to full
> "potential" but [at least] two cones lower. In other words you do not
take
> a c.8 rated kiln higher than c.6. No idea if this still applies. ASK
> manufacturer. I would not fire a c.10 rated kiln to more than c.8
UNLESS
> THE MANUFACTURER SAYS IT IS OK.
>
> Am I repeating an " old wives' tale" ? No idea. Maybe...Maybe not.
>
>
> Betsy Fortuna writes:
>
> > I have a followup question to some of the advice
> > I got. Someone sent me this in private email
> >
> >> However... if you are going to fire to Cone 10
> >> consistently, then I would really recommend a higher
> > powered kiln than any of these, and that is the
> >> Paragon Viking 24. You will notice it is more amps
> >> and has to be direct wired (instead of having a
> >> plug).
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