Sue Ballou on tue 29 jul 03
Christopher,
I have a kiln that was never an electric kiln but is
built like the conversions. I fire to cone 11 and
have learned a few things in the process. This kiln
has 2 burners under it, 3 rings and a 4" hole in the
top. I build a flue about 2 bricks high with a roof
on it over the hole to start. I also cover the top
with another layer of soft brick. This helps. I'm
firing with 2 linked 40 lb. tanks of propane. This is
OK in the summer, but they tend to freeze up in cold
weather. If you can use larger tanks, I highly
recommend it. I have a second set that I switch out,
but it's still a problem. I had always had very
uneven firings (cone 11 on the bottom & cone 8 on
top). One time I stalled & in desparation called Nan
McKinnell who suggested that I build a chimney. I
built a chimney about 6 bricks high & the temperature
started going up at the top. Now, I fire to about
cone 6 with the flue, then build the chimney &
continue firing. The last firing was much more even:
cone 11 @ 4 o'clock on top and pooled at the bottom.
This is the only reduction kiln I've ever fired, so
I'm learning as I go. I've never fired it for raku,
but Clayart had a good article about that a month or 2
ago. Good luck.
Sue
Sueballou@yahoo.com
The Potter's Edge on tue 29 jul 03
Sue,
Thanks a zillion for the feedback. I really appreciate it and will keep it
in mind as I move forward. I'm still waiting on the conversion kit so I'm
in a holding pattern for now. I'll keep you posted on progress/failures
etc. Realistically I'm about 60 days out from initial testing.
TTUL
CD
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On Behalf Of Sue Ballou
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 8:13 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Electric to Gas Kiln Conversion (long)
Christopher,
I have a kiln that was never an electric kiln but is
built like the conversions. I fire to cone 11 and
have learned a few things in the process. This kiln
has 2 burners under it, 3 rings and a 4" hole in the
top. I build a flue about 2 bricks high with a roof
on it over the hole to start. I also cover the top
with another layer of soft brick. This helps. I'm
firing with 2 linked 40 lb. tanks of propane. This is
OK in the summer, but they tend to freeze up in cold
weather. If you can use larger tanks, I highly
recommend it. I have a second set that I switch out,
but it's still a problem. I had always had very
uneven firings (cone 11 on the bottom & cone 8 on
top). One time I stalled & in desparation called Nan
McKinnell who suggested that I build a chimney. I
built a chimney about 6 bricks high & the temperature
started going up at the top. Now, I fire to about
cone 6 with the flue, then build the chimney &
continue firing. The last firing was much more even:
cone 11 @ 4 o'clock on top and pooled at the bottom.
This is the only reduction kiln I've ever fired, so
I'm learning as I go. I've never fired it for raku,
but Clayart had a good article about that a month or 2
ago. Good luck.
Sue
Sueballou@yahoo.com
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