Gretchen Woodman on fri 9 jan 04
I am trying to decide if I should buy a kiln
controller-computer for my electric 25"diam kiln that
I already have, or just buy a new kiln with one on it.
The kiln I have is used and fired to ^8. I only
fire to ^6.
I would appreciate any input any of you
have-opinions, other suggestions or considerations I
may not have thought of.
Thank you so much!
Gretchen Woodman
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Cindi Anderson on fri 9 jan 04
A stand alone controller costs more than adding a controller to a new kiln
(if you are buying a new one anyway). But a stand alone computer has the
advantage that you can move it from kiln to kiln if you get other kilns over
the years. Some also argue that it is more reliable because it is away from
the heat of the kiln. So if you are happy with the kiln you have, it is
probably more cost effective to get a stand alone controller, but it depends
a lot on how much you can get for your kiln, and what kiln you get to
replace it.
Cindi
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gretchen Woodman"
> I am trying to decide if I should buy a kiln
> controller-computer for my electric 25"diam kiln that
> I already have, or just buy a new kiln with one on it.
Diane Winters on fri 9 jan 04
Gretchen wrote:
> I am trying to decide if I should buy a kiln
>controller-computer for my electric 25"diam kiln that
>I already have, or just buy a new kiln with one on it.
>
> The kiln I have is used and fired to ^8. I only
>fire to ^6.
Hi Gretchen, here's my two cents.
When I set up my studio, I opted for a manual kiln with a separate
wall-mounted controller. Since I earn my entire living (such as it is) by
making tile, my main concern was the consequence of any computer system
failure. If necessary, I can revert to manual firing and keep my production
going, but a fellow potter within my co-op, whose kiln has a built in
controller cannot. She's had her controller fail once in the past four
years or so and was essentially kilnless until it could be fixed.
Now we happen to be in an urban area (East Bay, Berkeley, CA) with many
craftspeople and are lucky enough to have three (yes, three!) ceramic supply
places within a 15 minute drive and they all offer kiln repair services, so
she had her kiln controller repaired (think they replaced the board, but I'm
not sure) in just a few days. But I'm still glad I've got that backup
"insurance" of manual firing on my kiln set up. There are so very many
things I can't possibly control in running a one-person clay-based business
that I want to control whatever I can.
Added advantage of a separate controller is that it keeps the computer
components well away from the kiln heat.
Hope this helps,
Diane Winters
p.s. My kiln's a ^10 rated Skutt 1027, and I glaze fire to ^6
Al Sather on fri 9 jan 04
Hi
You pose two questions.
The first is easy. In my opinion, if you have an electric kiln it should be
computer controlled. Not so much for the convenience of being to determine
when the kiln starts, ramping up, and holding times, but most important
being able to ramp down. A very good resource to support that statement is
made in John and Ron's book Mastering Cone 6 Glazes. I replied to you
because in a recent discussion with other potters, I heard there are
computers that do not ramp down. I could not believe what I heard, but that
was what the discussion was about. Sorry, I did not get brand names etc. but
this is just a warning on what to look out for.
The second question is more difficult to answer, and has no real answer as
it depends on so much. But, there is an old saying "Throwing new money at
the old." I guess you just have to objectively assess your own situation.
Best of Luck, Al
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Gretchen
Woodman
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 6:13 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: [CLAYART] kilns & Computers
I am trying to decide if I should buy a kiln
controller-computer for my electric 25"diam kiln that
I already have, or just buy a new kiln with one on it.
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