Les Haworth on tue 15 nov 05
Most people would say that electric kilns don't fire in reduction without a
fuel source. The kiln companies will tell you to leave one peephole open. Is=
this lone peephole responsible for oxygenating the entire kiln? If electric
kilns "Naturally" fire in oxidation then why do we use downdraft vents? My
theory is that electric kilns fire in oxidation but very close or on the
border to a neutral atmosphere. Just like an electric kiln doesn't fire
naturally in reduction it doesn't fire in oxidation. Say you=92re doing a
bisque load and you=92re at 1250 deg F. There is a lot going on inside your
kiln. The elements are requiring oxygen and the organics in your ware are
taking up oxygen. This is placing the kiln atmosphere near neutral or on the=
border of neutral. I would be interested to know if anyone has done testing
with an Oxy-probe to see if the levels of O2 stay constant or if they swing
toward a neutral or reducing atmosphere? I don't know the answer to these
questions, but I do know the answers are not so obvious.
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