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alpine kiln questions

updated fri 16 apr 99

 

Jeff on wed 14 apr 99

Hello Everyone
I have a couple of questions I hope someone can help me with. I work at =
Fine
Art Center where we have a old Alpine kiln. Now from what I have been able
learn this kiln has had a history of firing hot on the bottom. Does anyone =
have
any ideas on what is causing this and how to even out the firings. I have =
done
several repairs to the kiln=3B most recently I have put a fiberfax ceramic =
rope
gasket around the upper corner of the door to stop a leak. If anything this =
last
repair has made it harder to get the kiln to even out. Does anyone have any
ideas as to why this is happing?


Thanks in advance

Jeff James

Hank Ray on thu 15 apr 99

Hello Jeff..

what kind of alpine do you have?

i had the same exact problem when i first started firing an alpine...

one of the best pieces of advice i got was to fill the kiln all the way to
the top. if you don't have it loaded all the way to the top the heat travels
up the kiln to the loosely packed open space at the top of the kiln and then
just goes out the flue.... you want to restrict the flame before getting to
the flue hole... so the heat stays in the kiln top and bottom

to get more heat to the top of the kiln you need a longer flame... that means
less primary air and/or less secondary air...or more gas....

different times during the firing, closing or opening the damper just a bit
(1/4 inch or less) can raise or drop the temp in the top of the kiln...

another good piece of advice ..... when things aren't going good during a
firing... DO SOMETHING... don't just sit there.....

you are welcome to contact me directly off the list....

Pete in OKC, OK. usa
Helllll@aol.com
www.cityartscenter.com