Fraley on wed 21 feb 01
This is a question for anyone out there with an electric kiln who fires paper clay.
I just recently bought a Skutt 1227 with the APM elements. I haven't fired it up
yet because of a vexing question. Should I coat the elements with ITC first to stop
any damage from the paper burning off or is this being overly cautious. I am also
considering doing alot of crater type glazes using silicon carbide, would this
local reduction agent do any damage to the elements. I have also installed an
envirovent, would this help remove the "nasties" before they can attack those
elements?
Toby Atticus Fraley
Louis Katz on thu 22 feb 01
I don't have much experience burning paper fiber in my kiln, but I have burn't out a fair bit of corn kernels, rice, and other grains. I lost the aluminum pipe to my
Bailey kiln vent in one firing. I have holes in my galvanized vent pipes. Apparently organic acids are produced in the low temperature decomposition of organic
matter. I suspect that these acids are a problem mostly where they condense, and they condense where they cool, that is where they mix with extra air. probably in the
fan housing on Skutt and orton vents. On my Bailey the damage was down upstream of this between the fan and the blower. My GUESS is that the elements will be pretty
tolerant, but hey there are probably more experienced people using actual paper in thier clay.
Louis
Duncan wrote:
> The paperclay ate some of the blades away entirely, throwing
> the fan out of balance causing a terrible vibration in the vent...
BTW You better watch out for the eggplant that ate Chicago, for he may eat your city soon.
Russel Fouts on thu 22 feb 01
Toby,
>>This is a question for anyone out there with an electric kiln who fires
paper clay. I just recently bought a Skutt 1227 with the APM elements. I
haven't fired it up yet because of a vexing question. Should I coat the
elements with ITC first to stop any damage from the paper burning off or is
this being overly cautious. I am also considering doing alot of crater type
glazes using silicon carbide, would this local reduction agent do any damage
to the elements. I have also installed an envirovent, would this help remove
the "nasties" before they can attack those elements? <<
A lot depends on the temperature you're firing to.
Lots of people, me included, bisque paperclay with no damage to the kiln.
Your vent will help a lot to get the smoke and fumes out of the studio but I
don't think it'll do anything to keep the smoke away from the elements.
Don't worry about it.
I'm really bad, I do saggar firing in my electric! I've been doing this for
about 5 years now (see my web site below) and have not had to replace the
elements nor noticed and difference in the firing times. HOWEVER, I very
rarely go above 1000c. I think that trying to fire high (cone 10) in an
electric will probably damage your elements faster than the smoke will.
Some very clever people, like mel have actually created electric kilns that
you can fire real reduction, with gas, using ITC but I'll leave the
questions about ITC to the real experts, Nils, mel, etc.
Russel
Russel Fouts
Mes Potes & Mes Pots
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 223 02 75
Mobile: +32 476 55 38 75
Http://www.mypots.com
http://www.Japan-Net.ne.jp/~iwcat
Duncan on thu 22 feb 01
Hi Toby...I have some first hand experience with the corrosive effects =
of
paperclay that might be of help to you. I have been burning paperclay =
for a
little over two years in a Skutt 1027 vented with a Orton Kilnvent. As =
we
speak, my vent is being rebuilt by Orton due to the paperclay eating the =
fan
blades away. The paperclay ate some of the blades away entirely, =
throwing
the fan out of balance causing a terrible vibration in the vent...During =
the
last firing one pot vibrated so much that it "walked" to the outside of =
the
kiln and up against the kiln wall...and yes it was a glaze fire. =
Paperclay is harsh stuff. As of yet, I have not noticed any =
deterioration to the elements or to the
sitter.
Hope this is of some help...
BTW, This is my first post to Clayart and I would like to thank all that =
are
so giving with their knowledge. I have learned so much from you.....Also =
the
Charlotte area is really starting to Buzzzz with clay exhibits going up
everywhere. Its starting to get exciting around here! I hope to meet you =
all at the
convention. If you see me, please come up and say Hello,.... I will be
easily recognized by the large clump of clay stuck in my hair.
Dale Duncan
York, SC
www.cclay.com/daleduncan
Linda Blossom on fri 23 feb 01
I fire paperclay in my Skutt all the time. My elements were coated when I
sprayed the kiln with ITC 100. I have never used 213 since I have never had
to replace the original elements. My elements are fine. I am not sure
which came first, ITC or paperclay but it was close so I probably haven't
fired much paperclay without the coating on the elements.
Linda Blossom
Ithaca, NY
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