Lili Krakowski on sun 8 jan 06
Like Gaul most electric kilns are divided into three parts. As with =
Gaul, the three-part system causes endless trouble.
Not right away, when the kiln is new. But kilns grow old, the =
connecting latches grow old...need I say more? On my 30 year old SKUTT =
the tabs that lock the sections together have been eaten out by steam =
and fumes, as have the handles that allowed one to lift the sections =
apart. And the steel jacket , still in place, essentially is a goner.
On my Knight kiln--built on the same idea but only about 12 years =
old--the tabs are gone, the handle to lift the lid went a while back and =
had to be redone...and the hardware cloth (or whatever) box covering the =
switches is being eaten away.
So. I do no fire that often, so that I have not been into the element =
replacement bit, except once on my little Skutt 181 which is 45 years =
old or so, but a one piece kiln. And once on he big Skutt.
What I am saying is that there seems to be an essential problems with =
kiln design--that these three part kilns, so easy to install, are all =
but impossible to move after a while. The "while" depending, in my =
opinion, less on how old the kiln is but how often it is fired. It is =
the steam and fumes that "ruin" the jacket and the latches and so on.
Having said that: again, this only is my opinion. If you are settled in =
your own house and plan to be there a goodly while, the fact that a =
three part kiln will be impossible to move after a time does not matter. =
If you are not in that situation then you should not invest a penny =
more than necessary unless the jacket/latches part of the kiln is =
somehow better than for others. If you situation brings about a lot of =
element changes, then obviously ease of element replacement is a big =
factor. Element replacement can be a major damager of the =
bricks....Even when one is careful.
My other suggestion is that you go with the best and most agreeable and =
knowledgeable dealer in your neighborhood. Period. A good dealer knows =
her kilns inside and out....And if she cannot help with kiln repair she =
knows an electrician who does. =20
Last. Again in my very limited experience. I always am impressed with =
how fuel-burners can, do, and suggest tearing kilns and chimneys and =
burners apart and starting again. If you are changing from fuel burning =
to electric remember that electric kilns cannot be demolished and =
rebuilt just like that. They require a lot of careful handling. =20
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
Elizabeth Priddy on sun 8 jan 06
I have to offer a counter example to Lili.
I fired a j18 3 part L&L for 5 years here at
the rust-infused coast and then moved it
with parts separated.
Set it up at the new studio with no problem at all.
Sold it three years later to apprentice who wanted to
set up 2nd kiln. Moved it, no problem.
During that time, I was firing about 2 times a week to
cone 7, no reduction, few blowouts.
Kiln room was exceptionally well ventilated.
(Due to old shack construction, light through
walls building studio was in, then in a garage
studio with garage door up or cracked during
firing)
So what happened with your skutt may be situational.
ymmv
E
Elizabeth Priddy
Beaufort, NC - USA
http://www.elizabethpriddy.com
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