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electric kiln (cress or l&l)

updated wed 18 aug 04

 

Steve Slatin on mon 16 aug 04


Jeff --

I've got an L&L E23T. I didn't find it terribly easy to assemble the
spring-loading mechanism to make the top lift easier. In retrospect,
maybe I didn't need that anyway; it works fine now. There was one
mistake in the instructions; it has to do with attaching the
thermocouple leads. Don't worry, it's obvious what's the
right thing to do (I did call the help line L&L provides; got
immediate hand-holding, no problem). No actual problems in
assembly. (It actually comes pretty much assembled but in
separate sections; you have to disassemble it to get rid of
the packing materials and then reassemble).

It fits together really tight. I can't compare this with a Cress,
though.

The L&L has ceramic guides that hold the elements, unlike some
kilns where the fire brick itself is grooved to hold the element.
When you change the elements this means you don't need to
mess with pins, etc.

The electronic controller makes firing a breeze. (I presume all
electronic controllers are more or less the same, in this
respect, though.) It has only 4 pre-programmed firing
schedules, though, although you can enter your own six
stored programs (up to 8 segments each).

As a beginner I find it's more kiln that it seems I'll ever need.
I really have to scramble to throw enough stuff I want to keep
to fill the kiln, and I don't believe I'll need more than the 4 existing
schedules plus my own 6 programs. If your needs are for
enormous firing space or lots of different stored programs in
your controller, you might want to look elsewhere.

I don't know anything about the Cress.

Best wishes -- Steve S



Jeffrey warnock wrote:
I am looking into purchasing an electric kiln. I am debationg between two different models both of
which I have heard good things about (Cress and L&L).

The two models I am looking at both are single phase programmable top loading kilns and are
more-or-less in the same price range. The Cress is model ET2831 an the L&L is model e28T both
are rated to cone 8.

Does anyone have any experience with owning one or both brand's kilns? Any suggestions or
comments based on your experiences ...from the contollers to the quality and/or durablity would
be appreciated.

Jeffrey

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Steve Slatin -- Entry-level potter, journeyman loafer, master obfuscator
Sequim, Washington, USA
48.0937°N, 123.1465°W or thereabouts
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Jeffrey warnock on mon 16 aug 04


I am looking into purchasing an electric kiln. I am debationg between two different models both of
which I have heard good things about (Cress and L&L).

The two models I am looking at both are single phase programmable top loading kilns and are
more-or-less in the same price range. The Cress is model ET2831 an the L&L is model e28T both
are rated to cone 8.

Does anyone have any experience with owning one or both brand's kilns? Any suggestions or
comments based on your experiences ...from the contollers to the quality and/or durablity would
be appreciated.

Jeffrey