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electric kiln placement/safety

updated wed 26 jul 06

 

Eric Oswald on tue 25 jul 06


I have been working with clay for many years but never maintained any kilns.
I am going to buy an electric very soon but have some concerns.

First, where I live right now it would be very simple to run a 220 line into
the basement, but is this safe since its in a house? Ventilation systems
would be more of a concern in a basement too, correct?

Second, I could run the 220 out into a nearby garage (dont know the price of
that though). What I like about that option is the kiln isnt in the house
and that the ventialtion could be taken care of with a window fan and
opening the garage during firings.

If anybody has any insight or suggestions I'd love to hear them.
Thanks,
Eric O
-----------------
www.collectionbucket.com

David Gallagher on tue 25 jul 06


Hey eric,

Its Dave, (from bucks/thunder hollow).
Check here about the basment/space

http://www.paragonweb.com/FAQ.cfm?FID=50

Basically a foot around seems to be rule. more is
better. Vents, if you have the little windows in the
top of walls that come in basments, they make
automatic vents that hook to kiln, and take the
exhaust out alot like a clothes dryer would.

Is there electric in the shed? If there is, and a
breaker box you should probably be fine. If not, call
an electrician that gives a free estimate.
We just hooked up our kilns and my only suggestion
would be to pick the place with most space that gets
used the least by other people. Momma gets a little
made when the laundry room is 110.
The other thing that might save you some money is once
you decide where your going to do it, find out the
type of wire you should use from the elecrician and go
and run it yourself. Just run the wire from the box
to where you want it and leave the connections for the
electrician to make. If you have every thing set up,
it should only be a half hour job when he comes in.


--- Eric Oswald wrote:

> I have been working with clay for many years but
> never maintained any kilns.
> I am going to buy an electric very soon but have
> some concerns.
>
> First, where I live right now it would be very
> simple to run a 220 line into
> the basement, but is this safe since its in a house?
> Ventilation systems
> would be more of a concern in a basement too,
> correct?
>
> Second, I could run the 220 out into a nearby garage
> (dont know the price of
> that though). What I like about that option is the
> kiln isnt in the house
> and that the ventialtion could be taken care of with
> a window fan and
> opening the garage during firings.
>
> If anybody has any insight or suggestions I'd love
> to hear them.
> Thanks,
> Eric O
> -----------------
> www.collectionbucket.com
>
>
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Snail Scott on tue 25 jul 06


At 10:57 AM 7/25/2006 -0400, Eric O wrote:
>...where I live right now it would be very simple to run a 220 line into
>the basement, but is this safe since its in a house? Ventilation systems
>would be more of a concern in a basement too, correct?



If you've got a clothes dryer or an electric
stove, you already have 220 in the house. Most
US houses have it. All houses in Europe do.
Safety is not an issue if the wiring is done
right.

Ventilation is always a good thing. If you
get one of those under-kiln vents with a wall
mounted motor and run the tube out its own
hole (not right next to an open window) you
will probably be fine.

-Snail

Arnold Howard on tue 25 jul 06


From: "Eric Oswald"
> I am going to buy an electric very soon but have some
> concerns.
>
> First, where I live right now it would be very simple to
> run a 220 line into
> the basement, but is this safe since its in a house?
> Ventilation systems
> would be more of a concern in a basement too, correct?
>
> Second, I could run the 220 out into a nearby garage (dont
> know the price of
> that though). What I like about that option is the kiln
> isnt in the house
> and that the ventialtion could be taken care of with a
> window fan and
> opening the garage during firings.

I would install the kiln in the garage with a downdraft
vent. Without the vent, the kiln fumes may permanently etch
the windows.

If the vent is adjusted correctly, you could also install
the kiln in the basement.

By the way, our publication "Safe Installation of the
Electric Kiln" may give you additional pointers. I will be
happy to mail it to anyone who wants one. Or you can
download it here:

http://www.paragonweb.com/Instruction_Manuals.cfm

Sincerely,

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

Taylor Hendrix on tue 25 jul 06


Where do you make and store your bone dry ware? Your glazes? Think
saving steps.

How cold or hot does it get where you live? Think keeping warm or cool
(self and materials)

How much money are you willing to spend for a good vent in the
basement and a 220 line? How about a 220 run to the garage? Think
cost/benefit analysis.

I lean toward firing in a seperate building, myself.


Taylor, in Rockport TX

On 7/25/06, Eric Oswald wrote:
> I have been working with clay for many years but never maintained any kilns.
> I am going to buy an electric very soon but have some concerns.
...

Colette Oliver on tue 25 jul 06


Hello
I had an electric kiln in my basement (of a 3 story
100 year old house in Kentucky) for almost 20 years
without any problem. I had a vent in the kiln stand
which was vented out a glass block window with a dryer
vent in it. A different building might be nice but I
can't imagine carting the pots back and forth from my
basement to garage for bisque and again for glazing
(especially in bad weather). Just a matter of
preference.

Colette
Juneau, AK


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