annapoorna sitaram on mon 24 jul 06
hello all
i have been reading mel`s mail and ivor`s mail re pyrometers
my heart just sank as usual.
so what do i do. i have mainly single fired to earthen ware temp
i am planning a celadon firing .
i have ordered cones do i place them in different part of the kiln i have
two spy holes that can be used .
i am also thinking of ordering a pyrometer from the U.S.
which one should i order ? the pyrometer should be accurate to cone 11
have a pyrometer but the accuracy stops at 1230celsius
do i need an oxygin probe?
thanking you kind clayart souls,
annapoorna sitaram
bangalore
india
William & Susan Schran User on mon 24 jul 06
On 7/24/06 10:30 AM, "annapoorna sitaram" wrote:
> i am planning a celadon firing .
> i have ordered cones do i place them in different part of the kiln i have
> two spy holes that can be used .
> i am also thinking of ordering a pyrometer from the U.S.
> which one should i order ? the pyrometer should be accurate to cone 11
> have a pyrometer but the accuracy stops at 1230celsius
> do i need an oxygin probe?
Many artisans produced wonderful high-fire work in the past, especially
throughout the Far East without cones, pyrometers or oxygen sensors/probes.
They used draw rings to see how well the glaze was melted.
If I had nothing else, I would have cones. They will be the most accurate
way to let you know what is happening with the "heat work" (that's time &
temperature) inside the kiln. You will want to position the cones in front
of the two spy holes. Each cone pack should be three cones: guide, firing
and guard cones. The most economical way to set the cones is to put them in
pads of clay.
You can go to Orton Manf. site:
And there's lots of information to read about using cones and other firing
information.
A pyrometer is a valuable tool for observing how fast or slow heat is
rising, stalling or falling inside a kiln. I use a pyrometer with two
thermocouples in my updraft gas-fired kiln to get a better idea about the
temperature difference between the top & bottom. For your situation you may
want to stay with the pyrometer you have, but get a ceramic protection tube
for the thermocouple.
As for the oxygen probe, it would be nice to have, but not essential. If you
have back pressure from your bottom spy hole (hold piece of paper in front
to see if it burns), you probably are in reduction.
-- William "Bill" Schran
Fredericksburg, Virginia
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
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