e wilson farrington on sat 17 apr 04
Hi Ann,
I have the DaVinci model L&L which may be larger than yours, but I =
know the firing times listed in my manual are only estimates for how =
long it would take for an empty kiln. For me a Cone 6 firing takes 12-16 =
hours. I am using a vary-fire program based on the R&J Book with two =
cooling segments at the end and I reach peak temp about 7-9 hours into =
the firing depending on how densely packed the kiln is. The kiln does =
fire very evenly and the computer control is really easy to use, so =
those are two advantages for me. I also have a vent system which I =
notice does slow things down somewhat. Rob and Steve at L&L have also =
been exceptionally helpful when I had questions or concerns.=20
You might want to try completing a few firings to see how long it =
takes with a full load, and use the "Delay" option to start your kiln in =
the middle of the night if needed so you can be around at the end of the =
firing. The first few times I did this I did manage to sleep but I had =
the most god-awful nightmares about Godzilla busting out the kiln to get =
me because I was using this poor Japanese girl as a living human =
battery. (Don't ask--I must have watched too many horror movies that =
week. I really am a nice person and would never do such a thing!) =20
Once I knew how long the firing would take I slept just fine. =
However, a few times when I miscalculated while programming a new firing =
schedule I ended up sitting in my (by now quite toasty) garage at 2 AM, =
waiting for it to peak when I would have rather been in bed...
These days I finish glazing and loading during the day, and use the =
delay start to begin firing at 9 PM. Then by 9 AM -1PM the next day =
it's complete. Takes also takes forever to cool, but it works for me! =
And I still feel I have it pretty darn cushy compared to my buddies who =
are up all night in the middle of winter firing their gas and wood =
kilns! =20
Good Luck!
Elizabeth "Wilson" Farrington,
( In Pennsylvania where I am finally learning to stop =
swimming upstream and just go with the flow!)
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