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new kiln, first firing

updated sat 27 aug 11

 

Cathi Newlin on mon 22 aug 11


Getting a spankin' new kiln in about 6 weeks.
An Olympic DD9 downdraft.
I've never fired a brand new kiln and never fired a downdraft before.
Does anyone have any tips/advice/cautions for me?
Thanks!

--
Cathi Newlin, Angels Camp, Ca
box49@caltel.com
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Boxers in California Shelters:
http://www.CaliforniaBoxers.com
Got Pots?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theSquarePeg

Steve Mills on tue 23 aug 11


Fire it as you would an updraft. You'll have hot-spots in different places,=
b=3D
ut packed not too tightly it will be fine.=3D20

Steve M


Steve Mills
Bath
UK
www.mudslinger.me.uk
Sent from my Ipod touch

On 22 Aug 2011, at 23:27, Cathi Newlin wrote:

> Getting a spankin' new kiln in about 6 weeks.
> An Olympic DD9 downdraft.
> I've never fired a brand new kiln and never fired a downdraft before.
> Does anyone have any tips/advice/cautions for me?
> Thanks!
>=3D20
> --
> Cathi Newlin, Angels Camp, Ca
> box49@caltel.com
> =3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D=
3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D
=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D
> Boxers in California Shelters:
> http://www.CaliforniaBoxers.com
> Got Pots?
> http://www.etsy.com/shop/theSquarePeg

David McBeth on tue 23 aug 11


I don't know about the DD9 but we have had the Olympic DD14 at the
University of Tennessee - Martin for a number of years. It has been a
tremendous workhorse for us. I understand the newer kilns have improved
designs, so all the better. I will be ordering an Olympic DD24 car kiln
this year for our new studio, Fall 2012.

Good choice and you will find the folks at Olympic very helpful.

Dave

On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 5:27 PM, Cathi Newlin wrote:

> Getting a spankin' new kiln in about 6 weeks.
> An Olympic DD9 downdraft.
> I've never fired a brand new kiln and never fired a downdraft before.
> Does anyone have any tips/advice/cautions for me?
> Thanks!
>
> --
> Cathi Newlin, Angels Camp, Ca
> box49@caltel.com
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D**=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
> Boxers in California Shelters:
> http://www.CaliforniaBoxers.**com
> Got Pots?
> http://www.etsy.com/shop/**theSquarePegePeg>
>



--
David McBeth
Professor of Art
Department of Visual and Theatre Arts
University of Tennessee - Martin
731-881-7416

David Woof on thu 25 aug 11


Hi Cathi=3D2C
One can read all the books=3D2C get all sorts of advice from folks who may =
or=3D
may not really=3D20
understand what they are doing=3D2C even watch some movies=3D3B but because=
of =3D
the multitude of=3D20
variables that change from day to day=3D2C kiln loadings from firing to fir=
in=3D
g.......=3D2C=3D20
one really just has to go ahead and get in there and be responsive to the k=
=3D
iln.

See your kiln as a partner=3D2C give it "him/her" a name.=3D20
The name will no doubt change as the kiln's personality and whims become ma=
=3D
nifest=3D20
in subsequent firings. And it will no doubt take several firings to begin t=
=3D
o be=3D20
comfortable with your new partner.

You can try to control and force it to your desire and will=3D2C and show i=
t =3D
what=3D20
you can do=3D2C Or...you can approach it as an intimate acceptance and resp=
on=3D
sive exploration=3D20
in the here and now=3D2C this firing=3D2C this day=3D2C it will be differen=
t than=3D
the next or any other.

There is a learning curve.=3DA0=3DA0 However=3D2C you already know where th=
e pots=3D
go=3D2C and you'll=3D20
figure out how to light the burners and not to go too fast at the start=3D2=
C =3D
so read the fire=3D2C=3D20
watch your pyrometer or cones to turn it up=3D2C and play with ox or reduct=
io=3D
n till you get it right.=3D20
And don't forget to explore the good things that can happen during the cool=
=3D
down as well.

I like firings that are going so well one only shuts down so that the pots =
=3D
won't be ruined.=3D20
Stay alert=3D2C active=3D2C learning=3D2C because the variables always trip=
up th=3D
e formula firers.

Relax and resolve not to be of the ones who are so fearful of doing somethi=
=3D
ng wrong=3D2C=3D20
that they don't get anything really right either. And their firings=3D3B ev=
en=3D
when relatively=3D20
"successful" become just a formulated set of repetitive actions designed to=
=3D
=3D20
produce a less than satisfactory but predictable result. Yawn.

You can have so much more by being responsive in your partnership with your=
=3D
kiln.=3D20
In producing those lush and mouth watering pots. (Makes ya wanna holler hi=
=3D
-dee-ho!!!)=3D20

Don't settle for less!!!=3D20

David Woof=3D20
____________________________________=3D20

On 22 Aug 2011=3D2C at 23:27=3D2C Cathi Newlin wrote:=3D=
20

Getting a spankin' new kiln in about 6 weeks.=3D20
An Olympic DD9 downdraft.=3D20
I've never fired a brand new kiln and never fired a downdraft before.=3D20
Does anyone have any tips/advice/cautions for me? thanks!=3DA0=3D20
=3DA0
Cathi Newlin=3D2C Angels Camp=3D2C Ca=3D20
box49@caltel.com=3D20
=3D

Dale Neese on fri 26 aug 11


Cathi,
congratulations on your new kiln! A very exciting time for you. I suggest
you start by following your manufacturer's instruction manual that comes
with the kiln for the first several firings to begin a baseline from which
you can learn further as you progress with the next firings. Stack
conservatively in that you don't impede the flame path or stack too high
into the arch area. Fire and patiently wait for any manufacture's suggested
adjustment in gas pressure or damper to take affect. Let the kiln fire
without making too many changes to the instructions. Observe closely those
changes and graft them on a "firing chart". There should be a recommended
firing chart that comes with the kiln that gives you times and temperatures
to make those adjustments. Record all the settings so that in the next
firings you will be able to "hit your marks" getting the best consistent
performance from your kiln. After a while you will understand the best
firing cycle and be able to repeat it for consistancy.

Dale Tex
"across the alley from the Alamo"
Helotes, Texas USA
www.daleneese.com