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help! first raku firing! tank freezing

updated thu 24 oct 02

 

Gary Ferguson on tue 22 oct 02


Cher:

I fire with 5 gal propane tanks and depending on how fast I fire they will
freeze up as well.

One trick I used is to switch between different tanks during the firing. I
actually have three I can switch between. You can also buy some extra
connections and link the two tanks together so the burner is drawing off the
two tanks at half the rate.

If I am very close finishing a firing and the tank is freezing up, I just
rock the tank back and forth and this usually keeps the flame going long
enough to finish. Just don't turn the tank upside down - that can lead to
major problems.

You can also get a larger tank 10 gal or so, and this will probably not
freeze up as easy.

I have heard of using water (both cold and warm) but never done it. I would
think dumping hot water over a tank would lead to problems.

I have heard of using an electric blanket but never done it.

Good Luck!

Gary Ferguson
Clay Artist
Nampa, ID 83687
Sign up for my Just Raku newsletter at http://www.garyrferguson.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cheryl Hoffman"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 12:29 PM
Subject: HELP! First Raku firing!


> Hey all,
> I'm doing my first raku firing as we speak. Can't seem to access
the
> archives and I have an immediate problem...tank froze up. I know this is
not
> good, and I seem to remember a thread about whether to put the tank in a
> bucket of water or not.
> What to do????? I turned off the gas until I can get some advice on
> this. Hope someone can tell me what I need to do.
> Cher Hoffman
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.

Louis Ballard on wed 23 oct 02


I fire with a 10 gallon tank and a Ward propane burner for Raku.
Occassional freeze ups I pour water (generally lukewarm) over the
tank to de-ice it and get the fuel to come out at a better rate. We
are in a small school situation for this and we do not have a natural
gas hookup though I'm looking forward to trying a wood-fueled kiln
if school allows. I'll try it
and see. louis ballard

----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Ferguson
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 8:55 pm
Subject: Re: HELP! First Raku firing! Tank Freezing

> Cher:
>
> I fire with 5 gal propane tanks and depending on how fast I fire
> they will
> freeze up as well.
>
> One trick I used is to switch between different tanks during the
> firing. I
> actually have three I can switch between. You can also buy some
extra
> connections and link the two tanks together so the burner is
> drawing off the
> two tanks at half the rate.
>
> If I am very close finishing a firing and the tank is freezing up,
> I just
> rock the tank back and forth and this usually keeps the flame
> going long
> enough to finish. Just don't turn the tank upside down - that can
> lead to
> major problems.
>
> You can also get a larger tank 10 gal or so, and this will
> probably not
> freeze up as easy.
>
> I have heard of using water (both cold and warm) but never done
> it. I would
> think dumping hot water over a tank would lead to problems.
>
> I have heard of using an electric blanket but never done it.
>
> Good Luck!
>
> Gary Ferguson
> Clay Artist
> Nampa, ID 83687
> Sign up for my Just Raku newsletter at
http://www.garyrferguson.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cheryl Hoffman"
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 12:29 PM
> Subject: HELP! First Raku firing!
>
>
> > Hey all,
> > I'm doing my first raku firing as we speak. Can't seem
> to access
> the
> > archives and I have an immediate problem...tank froze up. I
> know this is
> not
> > good, and I seem to remember a thread about whether to put
the
> tank in a
> > bucket of water or not.
> > What to do????? I turned off the gas until I can get some
> advice on
> > this. Hope someone can tell me what I need to do.
> > Cher Hoffman
> >
> >
>
_____________________________________________________________
_______________
> __
> > 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.
>
>
_____________________________________________________________
_________________
> 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.