Ingeborg on thu 12 oct 06
I just checked my settings Mel and changed them to "Plain Text". This
is a new/old computer and I guess I needed to go thru all of the settings.
Sorry. I'm reposting this and hope it is easier to read.
> Rob,
>
> Welcome to Florida land of bureaucracy gone amok.
>
> I had the same problem trying to get set up 7 years ago. I have a 30 cu
> foot car kiln. Not a factory job so no UL listing. My kiln set up is
> in a commercial site and that made things even worse.
>
> No one around here had ever seen a kiln. The propane companies referred to
> it as an "oven" and called me honey. The fire inspector approved the
> kiln and pipes around the kiln but not the propane tank and exterior
> pipes. I called every propane outfit that would service this Island. One
> salesman told me the only way he would supply a tank and fuel was if he
> put in all of the lines. They were unbelievably rude and nasty. I had
> never dealt with people who were in a service industry that conducted
> themselves in such a fashion. It was a very frustrating time. I finally
> found a small independent company and bought my tank from them. Then I
> had to go thru the county validating the pipes, the regulator (the propane
> company already did all of this). Then the fire inspector who approved
> the kiln gave me grief on the exterior set up. I did persevere and
> finally got everything operational. None of those people ended up on my
> Christmas list:)
>
> I would definitely recommend you purchase your tank to avoid being held
> hostage later on down the road. I was told by one company the minute you
> say you are a potter, they want nothing to do with you. Something to do
> with "you are more trouble since potter's don't buy enough gas."
> Everything else centers around LIABILITY.
>
> Is there a way you can get a tank set for say your pool? After it's in
> place, redo your plumbing to fit your kiln. If that isn't an option,
> perhaps you could buy small tanks and manifold them together. It isn't
> very convenient but better than nothing. You might also try finding a
> small company that is perhaps outside of North Port. My company "South
> Florida Gas" located in Ft Myers has a large territory and who knows
> maybe they will come to North Port. Can't hurt to call them. If you buy
> small tanks I would recommend you go to say West Marine and purchase
> aluminum tanks which are much lighter and won't rust away in this climate.
> They are expensive but if you are going to be lugging them around you'll
> appreciate having them. I know they carry the 5 gallon tanks and one size
> up which look like they are maybe 10 gallon tanks.
>
> Good luck
>
>
> Ingeborg
>
> http://thepottersworkshop.com
>
>
> P.S. Rob it isn't just propane, it is a mentality down here. I just went
> to purchase 50 lb bag of Calcium Chloride for our pool from a pool
> supply
> store. He tells me they don't sell 50 lbs bags because people can't
> manage
> 50 lb bags but they will deliver them. Since I live way out there are few
> people who
> want to deliver and if they do it is a $50 minimum delivery charge.
> I tell him I am capable of carrying 50 lbs and to put it into my
> trunk but he says no way but will sell me a 25 lb bag for the same price
> as
> 50 lbs. naturally.!!! I bite my tongue so that I don't tell him to screw
> himself which wouldn't be ladylike. I hope he goes out of business but I
> am still
> looking to buy a 50 lb bag from somewhere.
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>> Hi. This is addressed to any potters in Florida doing atmospheric firings
>> using propane..
>>
>> I recently retired and moved from New Jersey to the SW coast of Florida.
>> I
>> built a 14 cuft. IFB kiln on a special pad I had the builder put in. I
>> have been trying in vain to get a propane supplier to lease/sell
>> me/deliver to me a tank of propane. Meeting safety concerns are not the
>> issue.
>>
>> The latest argument is that my burners are not UL approved. Continental
>> Clay has tried reasoning with one company to no success. I spoke to Ward
>> Burners and was told Florida is not alone in this sudden reticence to
>> deal
>> with potters. I tried Axner, no interest there either.
>>
>> > ______________________________________________________________________________
>>
>
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