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kiln firing confusion

updated wed 1 feb 06

 

Candace Young/Norman Czuchra on mon 30 jan 06


We're doing our maiden firing of a E28t L & L kiln and wonder what those
who fire electric with a vent do in the face of the conflicting
instructions to use cones for safety while the vent instructions state that
one should never open the plugs while firing. Makes my brain hurt. Candace
Candace Young mailto:candace@bayriverpottery.com

Norm Czuchra mailto:norm@bayriverpottery.com

Bay River Pottery www.bayriverpottery.com
107 S. Water Street, P.O. Box 394
Bayboro, NC 28515
252.745.4749
buy your pot from us.....

Arnold Howard on tue 31 jan 06


----- Original Message -----
From: "Candace Young/Norman Czuchra"
> We're doing our maiden firing of a E28t L & L kiln and wonder what those
> who fire electric with a vent do in the face of the conflicting
> instructions to use cones for safety while the vent instructions state
> that
> one should never open the plugs while firing. Makes my brain hurt.

It is okay to open the peephole plugs occasionally to look at witness cones.
The plugs are inserted to form a negative pressure inside the kiln when
using a downdraft vent. Without that negative pressure, fumes could exit the
kiln through the smallest brick crevice.

So removing a plug for a moment allows fumes to escape the kiln, but it is
only for a moment.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

William & Susan Schran User on tue 31 jan 06


On 1/30/06 6:41 PM, "Candace Young/Norman Czuchra"
wrote:

> We're doing our maiden firing of a E28t L & L kiln and wonder what those
> who fire electric with a vent do in the face of the conflicting
> instructions to use cones for safety while the vent instructions state that
> one should never open the plugs while firing.

L&L says to not remove spy hole plugs to allow air in while running the kiln
with vent on. There is enough "leakage" between sections and the lid to
allow sufficient air in.

You can remove the plug to look at the cones, then replace the plug after
viewing. They just don't want you to leave them out - which of course I do
and have not noticed a real difference in or out.


-- William "Bill" Schran
Fredericksburg, Virginia
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu