Leland G. Hall on sat 11 oct 03
When I read the following post, I felt I had to contribute my personal
experience, as well as some anecdotal stuff. I am responding to this:
"Wesley!
Invest in a raku kiln; you're struggling with a problem that will consume
your energy, money and eventually, your kiln.
All the best."
Marvin Flowerman
marvpots@aol.com"
Years ago, I had heard from many sources that using an electric kiln for
raku was detrimental to the kiln. Then I read in the book by Robert
Pipenberg that it was not so. (or maybe he just wrote that lots of folks
were doing it that way) Then I met some folks who have been rakuing in
electric kilns for reasons of quality control (they said this only matters
with some types of glazes, and certain types of desired results) since the
seventies to the present, with no kiln deterioration. Then I asked Mr
Robert Pipenburg personally (at a worksohop of his I attended some years
ago) if rakuing in electric kilns damaged them. His answer was
this. "That's a myth". Then I started rakuing several years ago
exclusivly in electric kilns, with better and more consitent results than I
have ever been able to achieve with gas kilns. (I have two, only use them
to preheat now)
I have experienced no deterioration that I am aware of in either of the two
electric kilns that I raku fire at least three times a week.
In the case of my full time potter friends who have been doing this since
72 or so, consistancy was the main reason for their switching to electric.
It is my reason too. It is true that turn-around time in electric kilns
for raku does present issues, but nothing insurmaountable.
So it seems to me that myths are tough to break.
Another advantage for me with rakuing in electric kilns, is that I can just
turn the darn things on, and go throw pots, or glaze, or sweep and mop, or
whatever. Just keep an eye on the pyrometer. No real kiln sitting untill
the last 15 minutes or so, for a soak and a controlled cool down, if that's
what is needed for that particular load. Then--tongs (or Non Tongs) get
busy. Then a short wait with the lid cracked, then preheated pots get
loaded, with cold soft bricks under them, and I'm back in business. I find
this procedure save me tons of time kiln sitting noisy, hard to controll
gas kilns. But of course, everybody has their way. What ever works. But
damage to the kiln? I've seen no proof in 15 years of watching folks do
this. For what it's worth.
Best Regards,
Leland Hall
Before The Wheel Pottery
La Pine, OR
PS My apologies for the sloppy composition, I'm just returned from an
exhausting but successful salmon expedition. Long drive, late,
Happy Fires!
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