search  current discussion  categories  kilns & firing - misc 

electric kiln

updated tue 15 may 12

 

sutter on sun 13 oct 96

Hello,
I just bought a skutt model 818 electric automatic kiln-new, and I was
wondering if anyone out there has fired one, and has any suggestions on
using it. I plan on doing cone 10 firing in it. I just purchased some
celadon and oatmeal glazes along with Rhodes black and Shaners blue,
these are all reduction glazes--even though I told him I have an
e-kiln...hmm....has anyone used reduction glazes in oxidation and if so,
what will these colours look like compared to reduced firing? (you
could say that I am new at this) I have only fired things in a gas kiln
and have no experience with the other types of firings...help!

A.Jan on sat 19 apr 97


Hi everyone,

I need some help and support here. I wish to rent a room (15' x 20') on the
ground floor of a 34 storeys condominium block where I live to start a
ceramics activity. I have a new property manager, Mr. Gnana who thinks or is
concerned with the electric kiln.

I got feedback from his staff that he is concerned with the electric kiln
exploding, or accidently catch fire...etc thus making it a dangerous thing
to have at the condominium. I have tried to explain and even shown him
articles on how the kiln works.

But I am still not getting a favorable reply to getting this place rented
out to me though many of the residents I know are keen to learn ceramics.

I am asking for some support here - if members of CLayart, kiln builders,
potters, whoever who have a kiln in their homes, condominium, ...etc, please
write a short note about your experience with an electric kiln. how safe it
is and not troublesome, dangerous or hazardous or if it ever exploded and
the damaged caused.

I will collect all your support mail and show them to Mr. Gnana very hopeful
that he might change his mind about renting the place to me.

Thank you all...


Best Regards,

Jan

A.Jan on tue 22 apr 97


Hi everyone,

I need some help and support here. I wish to rent a room (15' x 20') on the
ground floor of a 34 storeys condominium block where I live to start a
ceramics activity. I have a new property manager, Mr. Gnana who thinks or is
concerned with the electric kiln.

I got feedback from his staff that he is concerned with the electric kiln
exploding, or accidently catch fire...etc thus making it a dangerous thing
to have at the condominium. I have tried to explain and even shown him
articles on how the kiln works.

But I am still not getting a favorable reply to getting this place rented
out to me though many of the residents I know are keen to learn ceramics.

I am asking for some support here - if members of CLayart, kiln builders,
potters, whoever who have a kiln in their homes, condominium, ...etc, please
write a short note about your experience with an electric kiln. how safe it
is and not troublesome, dangerous or hazardous or if it ever exploded and
the damaged caused.

I will collect all your support mail and show them to Mr. Gnana very hopeful
that he might change his mind about renting the place to me.

Thank you all...


Best Regards,

Jan

Hertz Pottery on wed 23 apr 97

All you need to do is find out if the apartment complex has insurance and if
the kilns are covered. some companys do have coverage and some dont. if they
dont you can see about getting it on your own. as far as safty its only as
safe as the way it is used. it all depends on your fireing habits. my
insurance company conciders my kilns as safe as my wood stove or my elcetric
range.
Erik

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>Hi everyone,
>
>I need some help and support here. I wish to rent a room (15' x 20') on the
>ground floor of a 34 storeys condominium block where I live to start a
>ceramics activity. I have a new property manager, Mr. Gnana who thinks or is
>concerned with the electric kiln.
>
>I got feedback from his staff that he is concerned with the electric kiln
>exploding, or accidently catch fire...etc thus making it a dangerous thing
>to have at the condominium. I have tried to explain and even shown him
>articles on how the kiln works.
>
>But I am still not getting a favorable reply to getting this place rented
>out to me though many of the residents I know are keen to learn ceramics.
>
>I am asking for some support here - if members of CLayart, kiln builders,
>potters, whoever who have a kiln in their homes, condominium, ...etc, please
>write a short note about your experience with an electric kiln. how safe it
>is and not troublesome, dangerous or hazardous or if it ever exploded and
>the damaged caused.
>
>I will collect all your support mail and show them to Mr. Gnana very hopeful
>that he might change his mind about renting the place to me.
>
>Thank you all...
>
>
>Best Regards,
>
>Jan
>
>

kinoko@junction.net on thu 24 apr 97

Dear Jan, I have often operated small,(18X18") electric kilns in rather
confined spaces without incident. If the manufacturers directions are
followed and with the concurrance of local codes,there should be no
difficlty. A minimum of 18" surrounding the kiln is usually felt to be
enough space,although I prefer 36" all around the kiln and 1 minimum of 12"
between the kiln bottom and the floor,which should also be protected by
Sheet Rock or other dense fireproof material.This should be raised an inch
or so above the floor simply for air circulation.
You have not mentioned the most important aspect and that is, a means
of collecting and discharging fumes to the outside air, For a small kiln a
simple discharge fan should be sufficient if the exhaust is not far from an
opening window. For larger kilns more elaborate exhaust fans must be used. Don
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>Hi everyone,
>
>I need some help and support here. I wish to rent a room (15' x 20') on the
>ground floor of a 34 storeys condominium block where I live to start a
>ceramics activity. I have a new property manager, Mr. Gnana who thinks or is
>concerned with the electric kiln.
>
>I got feedback from his staff that he is concerned with the electric kiln
>exploding, or accidently catch fire...etc thus making it a dangerous thing
>to have at the condominium. I have tried to explain and even shown him
>articles on how the kiln works.
>
>But I am still not getting a favorable reply to getting this place rented
>out to me though many of the residents I know are keen to learn ceramics.
>
>I am asking for some support here - if members of CLayart, kiln builders,
>potters, whoever who have a kiln in their homes, condominium, ...etc, please
>write a short note about your experience with an electric kiln. how safe it
>is and not troublesome, dangerous or hazardous or if it ever exploded and
>the damaged caused.
>
>I will collect all your support mail and show them to Mr. Gnana very hopeful
>that he might change his mind about renting the place to me.
>
>Thank you all...
>
>
>Best Regards,
>
>Jan
>
>

Greg Skipper on mon 8 dec 97

Thanks to all who helped us decide to go ahead and get an electric
kiln. I'm running it through the first firing tonight. We've got a
bunch of stuff that's accumulated over the past few weeks that we will
bisque fire in the next few days, if all goes well.
This is probably a dumb question. How do you decide to what temp (cone)
to bisque fire pieces? Most of our work, thusfar, are various clay
pieces pressed from molds of slab built sculptures. The clays are mixed
in many of the pieces, various kinds of clay (porcelin, etc., mostly
high fire clay). We are planning to spray paint some and glaze others.
Some are quite thick so I guess I'll need to bisque fire them very
slowly. I've previously done all my work in a studio where someone else
fired everything. This is new and exciting. I appreciate the help.
Thanks, Greg

Marshia Hall on sat 14 feb 98

Hi;

I'm looking to buy a 3 cu. ft or under test kiln that can go to cone
10. Anybody got one they are not using?

Thanks,

Marshia in Boulder Creek

DCurtis171 on mon 16 mar 98

Can anyone recommend a cone 10 electric kiln for heavy duty studio use? It
needs to have a good ventilation system and programmable controller. Thanks in
advance.

Don
In the hills of Western Ma

Tony Natsoulas on wed 25 aug 99

Hi Clayarters,

I am trying to sell a large "EvenHeat" oval electric kiln. It is 40" x
27" x 27" and is about eight years old. It is really powerful. It does
not come with shelves or posts. I want $500. for it. I live in
Sacrmento, CA

Thank you,

Tony Natsoulas
fishtone@jps.net


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com

Patrice Murtha on thu 8 jul 04


I Am finally getting around to building a studio in my basement. Can
I safely install an electric kiln down there? This kiln would be
going into what I call my slop room area- It's located under my porch
away from the rest of the basement near a window where it can easily
be vented-- on a cement floor with fireboard around it. I guess I'm
wondering if anyone else out there has their electric kiln in their
basement and if you do can you give me some tips what you did to make
it as safe as possible.

Laurie Kneppel on thu 8 jul 04


Hi Patrice,

As long as the kiln is safely ventilated so fumes can't get drawn into
your living area from either the basement or just wafting up from the
window vent the only other thing to watch out for is that even a well
ventilated and well insulated kiln still generates a lot of room heat.
So make sure it is in an area where that won't be a problem. My Skutt
KM 1027 is in an attached garage as far from the house as possible. I
have a Bailey vent attached underneath the kiln that does a good job
sucking the fumes outside, but the garage still gets very warm. If I
fire on a summer night the temp the next morning in there will be close
to 90 around the kiln. 80 on the opposite side of the room. Not
dangerously hot or anything, but just not the most comfortable if I was
planning to throw out there the next day. Box fans and opening the big
door take care of it, but in a basement that might not be an option. I
also have a CO detector and smoke alarm in the first room inside the
house from the garage. So far no CO or smoke detected.

A basement studio sounds nice - you don't have to compete with the car
for space! But then when I am working out there the car gets kicked out
onto the driveway.

Laurie
Sacramento, CA
http://rockyraku.com
Potters Council, member
Sacramento Potters Group, member

On Jul 8, 2004, at 7:34 AM, Patrice Murtha wrote:

> I Am finally getting around to building a studio in my basement. Can
> I safely install an electric kiln down there? This kiln would be
> going into what I call my slop room area- It's located under my porch
> away from the rest of the basement near a window where it can easily
> be vented-- on a cement floor with fireboard around it. I guess I'm
> wondering if anyone else out there has their electric kiln in their
> basement and if you do can you give me some tips what you did to make
> it as safe as possible.

Sonya Felix on thu 8 jul 04


On Thu, 8 Jul 2004 09:34:58 -0500, Patrice Murtha wrote:=


>I Am finally getting around to building a studio in my basement. Can
>I safely install an electric kiln down there? This kiln would be
>going into what I call my slop room area- It's located under my porch
>away from the rest of the basement near a window where it can easily
>be vented-- on a cement floor with fireboard around it. I guess I'm
>wondering if anyone else out there has their electric kiln in their
>basement and if you do can you give me some tips what you did to make
>it as safe as possible.
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
_____________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.=
com.

Hi,
I set up my workshop in my basement a couple of years ago and like you I was=
a bit
concerned about whether it was safe to have the kiln down there. Another pot=
ter had
told me it was a bad idea because of toxic fumes and the potential for fire.=
Others,
however, said that as long as the kiln was installed correctly there shouldn=
't be a
problem. It's been almost two years now since we struggled to get it down th=
e
basement steps=97and all is well.
I made sure to have the electrical outlet installed by a qualified electrici=
an. In my
case it was the type of plug typically used for dryers and I luckily had eno=
ugh room
on the electrical box to add it. My kiln is fitted with an Orton vent which =
sends the
fumes out the window. A couple of times I forgot to put the vent on and ther=
e was a
noticeable chemical odour from the kiln so now I put the vent on before I ev=
en turn
the kiln on and I leave the vent on until I open the kiln after cooling.
I also made sure there is at least a foot of space around the kiln. It is am=
azing how
hot the thing gets! My kiln is in the same room as my washer and dryer and o=
ne day I
did something really dumb. The kiln had been off for a couple of hours after=
reaching
Cone 6 temperature. I was in a hurry (multi-tasking as usual) and took dry l=
aundry
out of the dryer and sat it on top of the kiln while I refilled the dryer wi=
th wet clothes
from the washer. Within less than a minute I noticed the distinct smell of b=
urning
cotton. It took me another second to realize that the laundry on top of the =
kiln was
smoking! Luckily I grabbed it off before flames erupted but I had to throw a=
way a
couple of things that had burn holes. It was a good lesson: I made a strict =
rule for
myself to NEVER put anything on top of the kiln whether it is on or not. My =
brother
(who shares my workshop and loves electrical gadgets) installed an alarm tha=
t goes
off if the temperature above the kiln is greater than 190 degrees F. It's n=
ever gone
off, but just seeing the alarm's little green light blinking gives me some c=
omfort.
Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience. (This is my first message as I=
just
joined the list!). Hope you enjoy having your own pottery workshop.
Sonya Felix
St. Catharines, ON

william schran on fri 9 jul 04


Patrice wrote:>I Am finally getting around to building a studio in my
basement. Can
I safely install an electric kiln down there?<

Simple answer is yes, with some buts.

Need to provide good kiln ventilation - both venting fumes from kiln
and providing adequate air circulation/ventilation around the kiln.

Bill

Ron Roy on sun 11 jul 04


Hi Patrice,

Pay special attention to what Ken said - makup air is essential no mater
how you ventilate.

Have a CO detector installed - preferably the type that detects small
amounts of CO - and be sure to have smoke alarms installed and functioning.

Do not use a plug in type connection - have the kiln hard wired and fused
properly with a shut off at the fuse box - and always shut it off there
when the firing is finished.

Never assume any kind of automatic shut off is fail proof - don't leave
your kiln alone until the firing is over.

RR


>I Am finally getting around to building a studio in my basement. Can
>I safely install an electric kiln down there? This kiln would be
>going into what I call my slop room area- It's located under my porch
>away from the rest of the basement near a window where it can easily
>be vented-- on a cement floor with fireboard around it. I guess I'm
>wondering if anyone else out there has their electric kiln in their
>basement and if you do can you give me some tips what you did to make
>it as safe as possible.

Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513

Arnold Howard on mon 12 jul 04


Paragon publishes a guideline on kiln safety and installation. I will mail a
copy to anyone who sends me their postal address.

Or you could download it here:

http://www.paragonweb.com/catalog.cfm?type=manuals&startrow=41

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
arnoldhoward@att.net / www.paragonweb.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrice Murtha"
> I Am finally getting around to building a studio in my basement. Can
> I safely install an electric kiln down there? This kiln would be
> going into what I call my slop room area- It's located under my porch
> away from the rest of the basement near a window where it can easily
> be vented-- on a cement floor with fireboard around it. I guess I'm
> wondering if anyone else out there has their electric kiln in their
> basement and if you do can you give me some tips what you did to make
> it as safe as possible.

Laura & Marvin on mon 3 nov 08


I have an opportunity to buy an 8 year old programmable Skutt 1027
electric kiln that has been stored in an unfinished basement since it
was new in 2000. The kiln was never plugged in, never used. I would like
some advice as to what to offer for it and what are the chances there
could be corrosion or other problems with it setting unused for so long
in the basement. There is no power to the kiln so there is no way to
plug it in and test it.

Thanks for any opinions that you could give.

Marvin Crozier

Randy McCall on mon 3 nov 08


Should not be a problem. I bought a kiln about 4 years ago that was 30
years old and it worked fine.
It was manual though. Did have to replace some switches. You can't tell
about programmable kilns until you crank it up and try it.


Randy

Cotton Patch Pottery
members.tripod.com/~McCallJ/index.html


----- Original Message -----
From: "Laura & Marvin"
To:
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 9:02 AM
Subject: electric kiln


> I have an opportunity to buy an 8 year old programmable Skutt 1027
> electric kiln that has been stored in an unfinished basement since it
> was new in 2000. The kiln was never plugged in, never used. I would like
> some advice as to what to offer for it and what are the chances there
> could be corrosion or other problems with it setting unused for so long
> in the basement. There is no power to the kiln so there is no way to
> plug it in and test it.
>
> Thanks for any opinions that you could give.
>
> Marvin Crozier
>

Arnold Howard on mon 3 nov 08


From: "Laura & Marvin"
I would like
> some advice as to what to offer for it and what are the
> chances there
> could be corrosion or other problems with it setting
> unused for so long
> in the basement. There is no power to the kiln so there is
> no way to
> plug it in and test it.

Yes, the kiln may have corrosion if the basement is humid. I
suggest opening the switch box and looking at the wiring
with a flashlight. You could also check the elements with an
ohmmeter while the box is open. Check the condition of the
firebricks, especially the lid. In all likelihood the kiln
is in good condition, though, since it has never been fired.
(If it has been fired, the lid will be discolored.)

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

Ben Morrison on fri 11 may 12


Even though I've been making pots for years and understand gas ki=3D

All,=3D0A=3D0AEven though I've been making pots for years and understand ga=
s ki=3D
lns inside and out, I've neglected to come to understand electric kilns as =
=3D
well as I should. =3D0A=3D0AI have a Skutt 818P that I'm using to fire off =
my p=3D
orcelain and white stoneware pottery. My lower knob went bad just a few mon=
=3D
ths ago. I changed it but ever since I've noticed a harmonic resonance that=
=3D
builds up and gets louder as the element fires. I'm firing right now and i=
=3D
t's gotten quite loud. Anyone have any answers to why this is happening, an=
=3D
d if it's a problem how i=3DA0 fix it?=3D0A=3D0A-Ben=3D0A

Steve Slatin on sat 12 may 12


Ben -- Probably it's a power frequency hum -- 60 cycles in the US, which is=
=3D
close to a B below C below middle C.=3D0AIf that's the note, it's almost c=
er=3D
tainly harmless.=3DA0 Because elements are coiled rather than straight, the=
y =3D
have=3D0Aa magnetic field that works on adjacent parts of the same wire.=3D=
A0 A=3D
s the AC current alternates the coils=3D0Aalternate magnetic fields -- work=
in=3D
g on each other at that same AC rate.=3DA0 Sometimes they hum more, =3D0Aso=
meti=3D
mes less, in an electric kiln.=3DA0 All 3 of mine hum at least a little.=3D=
0A=3D
=3D0ASteve Slatin -- =3D0A=3D0A=3D0AN48.0886450=3D0AW123.1420482 =3D0A=3D0A=
=3D0A----- Origi=3D
nal Message -----=3D0AFrom: Ben Morrison =3D0ATo: Clay=
art@=3D
LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0ACc: =3D0ASent: Saturday, May 12, 2012 1:35 AM=3D0ASubj=
ect: E=3D
lectric Kiln=3D0A=3D0AEven though I've been making pots for years and under=
stan=3D
d gas ki=3D0AAll,=3D0A=3D0AEven though I've been making pots for years and =
unders=3D
tand gas kilns inside and out, I've neglected to come to understand electri=
=3D
c kilns as well as I should. =3D0A=3D0AI have a Skutt 818P that I'm using t=
o fi=3D
re off my porcelain and white stoneware pottery. My lower knob went bad jus=
=3D
t a few months ago. I changed it but ever since I've noticed a harmonic res=
=3D
onance that builds up and gets louder as the element fires. I'm firing righ=
=3D
t now and it's gotten quite loud. Anyone have any answers to why this is ha=
=3D
ppening, and if it's a problem how i=3DA0 fix it?=3D0A=3D0A-Ben

Steve Slatin on sun 13 may 12


John -- Can't tune them at all.=3DA0 At least mine are always the same=3D0A=
note=3D
; that low, low B.=3DA0 Some fl lamps give off the same note.=3D0A=3D0AStev=
e Slat=3D
in -- =3D0A=3D0A=3D0AN48.0886450=3D0AW123.1420482 =3D0A=3D0A=3D0A----- Orig=
inal Message -=3D
----=3D0AOn May 12, 2012, at 10:47 PM, Steve Slatin wrote:=3D0A=3D0A> Ben -=
- Prob=3D
ably it's a power frequency hum ...All 3 of mine hum at=3D0A> least a littl=
e.=3D
=3D0A> Steve Slatin=3D0A=3D0AIt would be cool if you could tune them to pla=
y a so=3D
ng.=3DA0 I would have=3D0Amy elements play this song...=3D0A=3D0Ahttp://www=
.metroly=3D
rics.com/fire-lyrics-ohio-players.html=3D0A=3D0AJohn Post=3D0A

Ben Morrison on sun 13 may 12


I had changed out the bottom knob because it burned out. In reading the man=
=3D
ual it says that when the knob is about to go out (burning out) it makes a =
=3D
faint popping sound. I've been hearing that from the new knob. I fear it wi=
=3D
ll soon burn out again. This most likely means there is another problem wit=
=3D
h the kiln, because I've only fired this knob three times now. Has anyone r=
=3D
un into a knob problem like this before?=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A_______________=
________=3D
_________=3D0A From: Steve Slatin =3D0ATo: Clayart@=
LSV.=3D
CERAMICS.ORG =3D0ASent: Saturday, May 12, 2012 7:47 PM=3D0ASubject: Re: Ele=
ctri=3D
c Kiln=3D0A =3D0ABen -- Probably it's a power frequency hum -- 60 cycles in=
the=3D
US, which is close to a B below C below middle C.=3D0AIf that's the note, =
it=3D
's almost certainly harmless.=3DA0 Because elements are coiled rather than =
st=3D
raight, they have=3D0Aa magnetic field that works on adjacent parts of the =
sa=3D
me wire.=3DA0 As the AC current alternates the coils=3D0Aalternate magnetic=
fie=3D
lds -- working on each other at that same AC rate.=3DA0 Sometimes they hum =
mo=3D
re, =3D0Asometimes less, in an electric kiln.=3DA0 All 3 of mine hum at lea=
st a=3D
little.=3D0A=3D0ASteve Slatin -- =3D0A=3D0A=3D0AN48.0886450=3D0AW123.14204=
82 =3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D
----- Original Message -----=3D0AFrom: Ben Morrison =
=3D0AT=3D
o: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0ACc: =3D0ASent: Saturday, May 12, 2012 1:35 =
AM=3D
=3D0ASubject: Electric Kiln=3D0A=3D0AEven though I've been making pots for =
years =3D
and understand gas ki=3D0AAll,=3D0A=3D0AEven though I've been making pots f=
or yea=3D
rs and understand gas kilns inside and out, I've neglected to come to under=
=3D
stand electric kilns as well as I should. =3D0A=3D0AI have a Skutt 818P tha=
t I'=3D
m using to fire off my porcelain and white stoneware pottery. My lower knob=
=3D
went bad just a few months ago. I changed it but ever since I've noticed a=
=3D
harmonic resonance that builds up and gets louder as the element fires. I'=
=3D
m firing right now and it's gotten quite loud. Anyone have any answers to w=
=3D
hy this is happening, and if it's a problem how i=3DA0 fix it?=3D0A=3D0A-Be=
n

John Post on sun 13 may 12


On May 12, 2012, at 10:47 PM, Steve Slatin wrote:

> Ben -- Probably it's a power frequency hum ...All 3 of mine hum at
> least a little.
> Steve Slatin

It would be cool if you could tune them to play a song. I would have
my elements play this song...

http://www.metrolyrics.com/fire-lyrics-ohio-players.html

John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan

http://www.johnpost.us

Follow me on Twitter
https://twitter.com/UCSArtTeacher

Arnold Howard on mon 14 may 12


On 5/13/2012 8:43 PM, Ben Morrison wrote:
> I had changed out the bottom knob because it burned out. In reading
> the manual it says that when the knob is about to go out (burning
> out) it makes a faint popping sound. I've been hearing that from the
> new knob. I fear it will soon burn out again. This most likely means
> there is another problem with the kiln, because I've only fired this
> knob three times now. Has anyone run into a knob problem like this
> before?

Yes. You might have received a defective switch. Or, a loose connection
may have damaged your new switch. A loose connection generates enough
heat to ruin new switches and relays within a few firings.

When you removed the old switch, were the wire connections tight?
Push-on terminals should be so tight that they are difficult to remove.
If they come off easily, they are too loose.

Push-on terminals that are discolored should be replaced. The
discoloration indicates heat damage. The oxidation on a discolored
push-on terminal will prevent a good connection. Installing the push-on
terminal might scrape off the oxidation, but the terminal has probably
lost the spring tension. This means that even if you tighten the
terminal with pliers, it will soon loosen again.

When replacing terminals, also replace the wires they are attached to
unless you have a good crimping tool. Crimping a new push-on terminal
with the wrong tool will cause the terminal to burn out.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

Arnold Howard on mon 14 may 12


On 5/12/2012 1:35 AM, Ben Morrison wrote:
> I have a Skutt 818P that I'm using to fire off my porcelain and white
> stoneware pottery. My lower knob went bad just a few months ago. I
> changed it but ever since I've noticed a harmonic resonance that
> builds up and gets louder as the element fires. I'm firing right now
> and it's gotten quite loud.

The normal hum of elements is loudest when the elements are cold. (The
hum is caused by the coils repelling and attracting each other with the
cycling of electricity.) Since the hum from your kiln becomes louder as
the kiln gets hot, it may be due to a switch that is about to fail.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com