Lea Phillips on wed 23 mar 05
Thankyou to those who replied to my query about kilns and ventilation. To
Frank Colson I have to say that I do specifically need an electric kiln,
there are many reasons for this, mostly electric firings suit the kind of
work I make, if you want to take a look at my website you may see what I
mean, you can find it at www.leaphillips.co.uk . Thanks also to Bonnie
Staffel, I have friends in Denmark so I'll maybe pick their brains too.
Now I've done some more research and the problem I'm having is this. I
would like an electric kiln which can be effectively ventilated AND has
individually controllable zones. Again the type of work I produce - many
layers of glazes that only work at very specific temperatures - mean that
seeing what is happening heatwork wise is essential. It seems that some kiln
companies think this is not necessary with good controllers and graduated
elements, some quite large kilns don't even have spyholes. I have never
known a kiln that does not need some kind of manual balancing of elements to
get even firings with every kind of pack. But am I being old fashioned?
Maybe things have moved on but still I have doubts, this may be the only
chance I have to own a NEW kiln so I want to get it right. So, specifically
does anyone have experience with the Cromartie workhorse kiln, it looks
ideal in all other respects but does not have individually manually
controllable zones. Does it really fire evenly or is it only suitable for
those whose requirements temperature control wise are not that specific? One
of the reasons I like the look of this kiln is that Cromartie seem to take
the need for ventilation seriously. This leads to my second more general
question concerning kiln ventilation.
It seems that most UK kiln manufacturers think that venting electric kilns
is either, not necessary at all, or only needs a canopy over the top of the
kiln ducting to the outside. Is this really adequate and does it work
regardless of the type of kiln? I'd really appreciate some feedback on this,
I know clayart have covered kiln venting before but there seems a big
difference in attitude between UK and US potters on this subject, so I think
its an important discussion to have. One technical advisor of a well known
pottery supply company told me there was 'no evidence's that fumes from
electric kilns were harmful to health' ! Any comments ?! I'd like to be able
to point to some reputable research so I can have more informed discussions
with kiln manufacturers and not feel I'm being an old (well middle aged)
fusspot!
Best wishes to you all, Lea Phillips, Devon ,Totnes
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May Luk on wed 23 mar 05
Hiya Lea;
I talked to a person from Cromatie last year at Hatfield. I asked why
there's no spyhole, he said it's for health and safety. Something like it's
not safe to be looking into the red heat?!? I do like their kilns though. I
heard good things about them. I have two friends who bought Cromartie last
year and they are happy with them. Although they are light weight potters.
They think the kiln is going to fire to 1250 if you punch in 1250 in the
controller.
I have a Northstar storing in my studio. It never closed right after they
took it apart to get into the studio. No spy hole either.
I don't have ventilation in my studio. This is London. We tried to get
somebody to install ventilation for the studio, the person never showed up -
the job's too small. He was doing up Edmond De Waal's studio at that time. I
don't have light on one side for the last 9 months, it's finally fixed
today. I fire overnight and check in the morning, with all the windows open.
The kiln that you fancy is from the state. My friend has one, but she used
to live in California and she brought it back together with the furnitures.
So it's possible to buy from the US.
Regards
May
London, UK
David Hewitt on thu 24 mar 05
Lea,
I do not have any reputable research source on kiln ventilation, but I
do have some 30 years of personal experience with electric kilns located
in a garage without ventilation.
For many years now the glass in the windows have been nicely etched. I
can still see out, but it is difficult for someone to see in if the
lights are out.
Also any un-coated steel items or tools, such as chisels, regularly
exposed to every firing, are also corroded.
Clearly this is the result of acid fumes from the kiln and I have always
avoided working in this area when the kiln is on except for the
necessities of controlling the firing. I have not experienced any ill
expects health wise, but then I would not expect any with such limited
exposure time.
I pass this on to you for what it is worth, but if I was going to have
to regularly in the same area as an electric kiln I would certainly want
it to be ventilated.
David
In message , Lea Phillips writes
> This leads to my second more general
>question concerning kiln ventilation.
>It seems that most UK kiln manufacturers think that venting electric kilns
>is either, not necessary at all, or only needs a canopy over the top of the
>kiln ducting to the outside. Is this really adequate and does it work
>regardless of the type of kiln? I'd really appreciate some feedback on this,
>I know clayart have covered kiln venting before but there seems a big
>difference in attitude between UK and US potters on this subject, so I think
>its an important discussion to have. One technical advisor of a well known
>pottery supply company told me there was 'no evidence's that fumes from
>electric kilns were harmful to health' ! Any comments ?! I'd like to be able
>to point to some reputable research so I can have more informed discussions
>with kiln manufacturers and not feel I'm being an old (well middle aged)
>fusspot!
>Best wishes to you all, Lea Phillips, Devon ,Totnes
>____________________________________________________________________________
>__
>> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>
>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>
>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
--
David Hewitt
Web:- http://www.dhpot.demon.co.uk
Arnold Howard on thu 24 mar 05
Orton has introduced a new vent called the Vent Master. It will replace
their earlier KilnVent versions. The Vent Master motor is positioned either
on the floor or wall and pulls fumes from the kiln. The fan is easier to
clean since it will not be under the kiln. Orton displayed their new vent at
NCECA.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
arnoldhoward@att.net / www.paragonweb.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Hewitt"
> I do not have any reputable research source on kiln ventilation, but I
> do have some 30 years of personal experience with electric kilns located
> in a garage without ventilation.
>
> For many years now the glass in the windows have been nicely etched. I
> can still see out, but it is difficult for someone to see in if the
> lights are out.
> Also any un-coated steel items or tools, such as chisels, regularly
> exposed to every firing, are also corroded.
Jenny Lewis on thu 24 mar 05
Hi May
I also spoke to a Cromartie person at Hatfield last year and was given the
same Health and Safety answer, but he said that they will put a spyhole in if
the customer requests it. I was also asking about kilns in sections but all the
UK makers I spoke to said they don't make them. My main concern was getting
the thing through the very narrow doors of my house and studio. Eventually
bought a Potterycrafts kiln (price and size considerations) - no spyhole
exactly, but 2 small holes which have to be bunged up at some point, which I keep
forgetting.... Ventilation consists of leaving the door and windows wide open,
so firing has to take place when the weather is right. I try to avoid heavy
rain being blown in the "wrong" direction.
The only venting I have come across at various evening classes have been
those hood things above the kiln with piping through the walls to outside. One
place only had extractor fans in the kiln room, but the room was kept locked
while firing was happening. It still didn't seem a great idea to me!
Hoping to fire again in the next week or so, which means starting to study
the weather forecasts again.
Jenny
in Eastleigh, Hampshire, UK
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