marianne kuiper milks on tue 10 may 05
Hello everyone,
I have purchased an Olympic top-loading gas kiln,
about 10 c.ft (inches?? I stil"do" metric)
I am putting it in our refurbished wooden animal shed,
one wall solid stone. There will be a heavy cement
floor and I'm making a large trap-door/opening in the
roof above the kiln to vent fumes. In addition a large
door opening and two windows that open.
We're out in the country, there are no bans, no
neighbors, main stone house probably 30-40 yards away.
Is there anything I MUST do or is this fine? (safe)
On the other hand, is there anything I SHOULD do?
There is no electricity: all old-fashion by hand.
I'd like comments, if someone has a minute. Thanks!
Marianne (Kuiper Milks)
Once a musician, always a potter :)
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william schran on tue 10 may 05
Marianne wrote:>I have purchased an Olympic top-loading gas kiln....
I am putting it in our refurbished wooden animal shed,
one wall solid stone. There will be a heavy cement
floor and I'm making a large trap-door/opening in the
roof above the kiln to vent fumes.<
How far above the kiln/flue opening is the roof?
Having a wooden roof above the kiln and just cutting an opening would
cause much concern for me.
I'd suggest metal (stainless steel would be best) flue about the same
diameter as the flue opening in the kiln and a collection box/cone of
sheet metal (about the diameter of the kiln) above the kiln that the
metal flue pipe connects to. The flue pipe should not touch the wood
and an air space between the flue and any wood is suggested.
Let me know how your firings go in this beast. I have the 7 cu. ft.
model that took some alterations and help from others to get it
firing evenly.
Bill, in Fredericksburg, VA, where I fired the above mentioned kiln
today to cone six with a 10=B0F differential between top and bottom.
Craig Clark on wed 11 may 05
Marianne, I personally know two professional potters who have
watched the wooden shelter/building/shed of their kiln burn. One
individual on this list will tell you all about it if he sees the post.
He is a strong supporter of a good solid steel contruction around kilns
as am I. Regardless of the precautions that you take there may be that
errant wind driven ember that finds its way into a nook or cranny of
your roof and presto, no more roof. Steel is simply the best/safest
route to take.
Having said this, I'm noticing the enormous shed roof on a 3000
cubic foot anagama on a poster on my studio wall. The entire roof is
wooden, as are a number of others like it that are still standing. That
doesn't mean it's all that safe though. These are just anecdotal examples.
The thing to keep in mind is to keep as much distance as possible
between the kiln and the walls and the roof of your building. Several
feet at minimum unless the walls are something like cinder block. There
are a variety of fire retardant paints on the market that you may use to
coat the roof and or any other portions of the building that get hot or
may inadverdently trap anything that will burn. They are quite pricey
but well worth the investment.
Do not let down your gaurd while firing in a wooden structure. This
will mostly be more of a problem after you are comfortable with the way
things are firing than when you first begin and are more cautious. Keep
several fire extinguishers strategically placed around the kiln area.
You never need one until you do and then you don't want to have to look
for it. Keep them well charged and visible.
This subject has come up on several ocassions. Just check the
archives for more definitive info.
Hope this helps
Craig Dunn Clark
619 East 11 1/2 st
Houston, Texas 77008
(713)861-2083
mudman@hal-pc.org
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