Centa Uhalde on sat 24 feb 07
Well, my husband and I have just about completed the conversion of an old
electric top loading to a mid range soda kiln, I hope. Here is what we've
done:
-- Installed two burners coming in at the bottom sides opposite each other
so that the flames would circle around for I guess optimal atmospheric
conditions?
-- The burners will tie in to the house gas line, 3/4" pipe, 100 amp service
I believe. There is no regulator installed.
-- A 2" hole on the bottom of the kiln drilled for excess molten soda to
flow out and 4 2" holes in the top of the kiln. Also, several 2" holes
around the kiln for input of the soda mixture with some implement that will
fit in tight quarters. And, for ventilation 4 2" holes in the top of the
kiln.
-- We enclosed the kiln in a small garden shed next to the house which is
under trees. I can't really maneuver around the kiln when it would fully
heated.
--- filled a few gaping holes in the wall of the kiln, took out the
elements, sprayed ITC, and have yet to brush on kiln wash but will do that
and fire before doing the first soda fire.
My concern and questions at this point have to do with never having done gas
firing myself before, I'm not sure a) how to avoid creating a bomb (a
successful potter I know is very concerned that I might have created a
situation without ventilation that would blow up)--soo,
1) exactly what is enough ventilation???? Are the 4 2" holes in the top
enough? I was assuming that I plug up all the holes where I potentially
would spray in soda H2O mix until ready?
2) Do I need a digital pyrometer and thermocoupler same as I would an
electric to gauge heat and temp?
3) How do I adjust heat on this thing? Obviously, gas scares me. How do I
regulate with the air? How do I not blow my house to bits, not to mention me
and my husband and our retirement and everything?
Thanks. I'm sure there are questions I don't even know I have yet, but I
think I'm still vague on some basics. The Art of Firing is too technical for
me. It's like, now that mostly my husband has put in all this work, I'm
hesitant to actually try to fire the thing if it's so dangerous, and it is
placed under trees because we live under trees.
Panicky,
Centa
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