search  current discussion  categories  kilns & firing - raku 

electric kiln smoking

updated sat 30 nov 96

 

Russel Fouts on sun 10 nov 96

>> This might sound like a stupid question, but could you not do the same thing
in an electric kiln? Why not? <<

YES YOU CAN! I've been doing it for about a year now and Valice Raffi started
using it recently with great (totally different) results. I think I described my
process earlier in other messages so I won't go into great detail here.

Basically I wrap my handbuilt sigged pieces in a couple layers of newspaper
(tabloids are the best, cheapest paper, cheaper color processes, no plastic),
wrap this in a double layer of heavy duty aluminium foil (very well sealed) and
fire to 600c in my electric.

Works GREAT. When I get leakage (which is your only worry) it usually stains the
kiln but is removed in the next oxidizing firing. I haven't noticed any damage
to the elements after a year but then I don't get much leakage.

You might not want to be in the studio when you fire this. I fire overnight.

The idea came from a casual reference in Jane Waller's handbuilding book (giving
credit where credit is due).

Makes me think of a combination of turkeys and origami,

TRY IT!

Russel (Let's start a movement!!)

!^NavFont02F03910007NGHHJ924715

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
* Russel Fouts, CI$: 100021,23,
Bruxelles, Belgium
Internet: 100021.23@CompuServe.Com

"It took more then one man to change my name to Shanghai Lil."
MD
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Russel Fouts on mon 11 nov 96

Bonnie,

>> doesn't the aluminum foil disintegrate (if not burn) at 600 degrees C? <<

Nope. And I'm thinking it can go even higher. I accidentally fired it to about
800c, it melted a little but mostly went flakey. I think the limit might be
somewhere in between there and 750c.

>> did you ever try the method proposed by someone within the last year on
Clayart to use slip and strips of the cheap tabloid newpaper to
make a one-time sagger <<

The purpose of the foil sagger is to protect the kiln AND concentrate the
smoking effect. The paper or "papier-mache" sagger only concentrates the effect,
doesn't protect the kiln.

Sebastian Blackie in the UK is using paper clay saggers around his pieces in a
gas kiln and getting real nice effects. See Saggars, Sawdust and Semiotics in
Ceramics Review No. 156. (Also check out the cover article about Lawson Oyekan's
evocative pieces.)

Russel (cold and rainy in Brussels, heading for the sauna)

!^NavFont02F03060006NGHHJO1B51

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
* Russel Fouts, CI$: 100021,23,
Bruxelles, Belgium
Internet: 100021.23@CompuServe.Com

"It took more then one man to change my name to Shanghai Lil."
MD
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-