wjskw@BELLSOUTH.NET on mon 15 nov 04
Does anyone doing wood-firing use an oxyprobe during the firing to
monitor kiln atmosphere?
I was thinking of purchasing one, but Axner's site specifically
recommends against using for wood firing, saying that the ash
buildup will interfere with readings, while also saying that the
wires are covered by a protective tube.(Huh?)
The kiln I'm starting to design will be a hybrid wood/gas MFT.
Before I sink the money into an oxyprobe, I would like to know
if I should bother. (Still trying to get all my ducks in a row.)
I know there will be a learning curve (as with any new kiln), but a
probe would be handy I think, for giving me an idea of what's going
on (as far as atmosphere) inside.
Also, those of you with probes... have they an output for connection
to a PC, like a Datalogger? I'm thinking recordkeeping here. The
information would come in handy coupled with time/temp readings to
help establish a firing schedule. (Memory is nice, but the old brain
cells don't fire quite the way they used to...)
Comments appreciated. =20
TIA,
Wayne Seidl
Key West FL US
"was that 'light the PC and fire up the kiln' or 'light the kiln and
fire up the PC' or 'put the PC in the kiln and light it up' or...."=20
ASHPOTS@AOL.COM on mon 15 nov 04
I love my oxy -probe,, Its great for my Alpine.. reduction firings all the
same..
the tip of the probe is open to register the atmosphere.. I would think that
wood firings would mess up the tip ,, and its exspensive
Maybe use it in the firing where you are not using the wood.. I want to build
a wood/salt kiln and wont use my probe.. Ill use cones only with the salt
Mark
Edwards on mon 15 nov 04
Hello Wayne:
I know of a few woodies that use oxyprobes. Like Mel says they are
expensive, and delicate. I don't know if I would run out and buy one.
Probably be at the bottom of my wish list. Kanako taught me how to use
long pine slivers to read reduction. The real basic jist of this is, if
the end of the sliver burns straight its ox if it curls its reducing.
With experience it works pretty well.
I really agree with Mel, that a good pyrometer is worth its weight in
gold when it comes to woodfiring. Your senses--sight, hearing, smell go
a long way also.
Best of luck on your kiln. When are you going to build it? What sort of
wood do they have in Key West?
Anyway, as Paul would say
Good Fires,
~Craig
>
>
mondloch on mon 15 nov 04
>Wayne wrote:The kiln I'm starting to design will be a hybrid wood/gas MFT.
>Before I sink the money into an oxyprobe, I would like to know
>if I should bother.
Hi Wayne,
How much wood do you plan to use? I use an oxyprobe in my MFT and I fire off
with a small amount of wood at the end of each firing- maybe an armful. I
also place about 1 cup of rock salt divided between 4 small bowls in each
load. The platinum wire in the probe broke this summer after 112 firings. I
ordered the wire from Axner and replaced it myself for about $70. For how
much it has helped me understand things I consider that a small investment.
I also have a double probe pyrometer which is very helpful. They both stay
in place all the time.
I have the oxyprobe in the center of the door of the car so it's pretty far
away from where I stoke the wood into the burner ports. I also make sure
that I don't place any of the salt dishes too close to it.
I'd like to hear more about your design! I will be needing to rebuild my
kiln soon (60ft3 MFT car-kiln) as the brick are deteriorating and I am
trying to get design changes decided.
I want the ports bigger-with maybe a removable brick in each? to accommodate
bigger pieces of wood. The kiln is built with K23 bricks coated with ITC but
I would like to change to either a higher duty insulating brick or go with
hard brick interior and soft brick exterior. But then, although I've been
happy enough with the flat top but it doesn't seem like the answer if I
build with hardbrick. Just intuitively it would seem like it should get an
arch then. Comments on this anyone?
with more questions then answers,
Sylvia
---
Mark & Sylvia Mondloch
Silver Creek Pottery & Forge
W6725 Hwy 144
Random Lake ,Wi 53075
HotArt@silvercreekpottery.com
http://www.silvercreekpottery.com
Lee Love on tue 16 nov 04
My friend Euan had an oxiprobe in his wood kiln, when he first
built it. Ruined it quickly, but what he realized was that the
atmosphere in a wood kiln cycles through reduction/neutral/oxidation on
every stoke, so that the oxiprobe isn't really of any use.
Actually, this cycling of atmospheres is one of the secrets of
traditional stoneware and porcelain glazes. I would highly recommend
an article by Malcolm Wright in the current issue of The Log Book titled
"About the Blow Hole." You can find out more about this publication
at: http://homepage.eircom.net/~thelogbook/
> Published quarterly, there are now subscribers to The Log Book in
> over 20 countries worldwide.
> In much the same way that 'world roots music' has developed a
> rhythm and beat - interpreting traditional sounds through contemporary
> culture - so the making and woodfiring of ceramics, inspired by a
> historical and traditional aesthetic, has gained recognition as a form
> of creative expression in recent times. The Log Book is intended as a
> forum for the discussion of the many diverse aspects of historical,
> traditional and contemporary woodfiring.
I would enjoy hearing Mel's explanation of the "ah cricket"
method (he is a continual source of "folk lore" about Japan. ;^)
Our society is so addicted to change/technology/new, that it
is difficult to recognize an unbiased approach to the subject. I'm am
with Louis, where he comments on "wet or dry", to do what works for
you. Dogma keeps you from seeing all possibilities. But our culture's
modern dogma is technology/change. When you are in a situation where
traditional methods are not represented to measure against, (for
example: How many korean kickwheels or handwheels do you find in a
University studio?) how can you make a proper comparison?
I agree with Wendell Berry when he says, "I am conservative
when it comes to things that should be preserved, and liberal about
things that should be changed." I use a digital pyrometer with my
woodkiln. I use a Giffin Grip on my korean kickwheel. I burn scrap
wood in my wood kiln. I use my scanner and printer to transfer images
for my woodblock printing. I am no Luddite, but I recognize that
occasionally, what has been done the same way for thousands of years,
sometimes has a reason for being.
--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan
Woodkiln list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WoodKiln
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