Lisa E on wed 29 nov 06
Hello Clayarters;
Yesterday I unloaded my first ever bisque fire with great success. Thank
you all your your help!
I am not in the midst of my first glaze fire (^6)
I got a piece of advice from a potter who I know and trust who has 40+ years
experience as a potter but I wanted to run by my question to you. I have a
small 1978 Estrin Kiln. 18" square inside with 2 peep holes.
She suggested that I never plug the peep holes because it will help with
oxidation and will prolong the life of my elements and bricks.
What are your thoughts?
Regards,
--
Lisa E
Sunny Daze Design Pottery Studio
Squamish, BC
Arnold Howard on wed 29 nov 06
From: "Lisa E"
> She suggested that I never plug the peep holes because it
> will help with
> oxidation and will prolong the life of my elements and
> bricks.
I agree that leaving the peephole plugs out during the
firing gives better oxygenation inside the kiln. I don't
know if that improves the life of the elements. It makes
sense that it would, but I haven't seen any hard evidence.
Has anyone else? I would guess that elements may last
slightly longer with improved oxygenation.
A disadvantage to leaving out the peephole plugs is that it
can cause cold spots in the kiln, especially if there are
air drafts in your firing room.
If you leave peephole plugs out, keep ware 3" from the
peephole. If your ware develops problems from cool air
drafts, such as a glazed piece with a crazed spot, insert
the peephole plugs after the kiln reaches 1000 degrees F, or
about half way through the firing. If you use a downdraft
kiln vent, keep the peephole plugs inserted for the entire
firing.
I look forward to reading other opinions.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
Nancy on wed 29 nov 06
Lisa
I always leave the top peephole open in my kilns. But I'd be concerned
about wasting a lot of electric trying to get your kiln up to temp by
leaving both holes open.
Nancy
Lisa E wrote:
> Hello Clayarters;
>
> Yesterday I unloaded my first ever bisque fire with great success. Thank
> you all your your help!
>
> I am not in the midst of my first glaze fire (^6)
>
> I got a piece of advice from a potter who I know and trust who has 40+
> years
> experience as a potter but I wanted to run by my question to you. I
> have a
> small 1978 Estrin Kiln. 18" square inside with 2 peep holes.
>
> She suggested that I never plug the peep holes because it will help with
> oxidation and will prolong the life of my elements and bricks.
>
> What are your thoughts?
>
> Regards,
> --
> Lisa E
> Sunny Daze Design Pottery Studio
> Squamish, BC
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
>
> 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.
>
Edouard Bastarache Inc. on wed 29 nov 06
Hello Arnold,
I own an electric kiln produced decades ago
by a company by the name of DOT.
The type of kiln you put togethe from a kit..
It does not have a metallic shell, I always
keep the peep holes plugged because I believe
it draws sufficient air between the rows of
bricks,
and between the wall and the cover.
Later,
Edouard Bastarache
Le Français Volant
The Flying Frenchman
Sorel-Tracy
Quebec
edouardb@sorel-tracy.qc.ca
www.sorel-tracy.qc.ca/~edouardb/Welcome.html
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/smart2000/index.htm
http://www.pshcanada.com/Toxicology.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30058682@N00/
Edouard Bastarache
Le Français Volant
The Flying Frenchman
Sorel-Tracy
Quebec
edouardb@sorel-tracy.qc.ca
www.sorel-tracy.qc.ca/~edouardb/Welcome.html
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/smart2000/index.htm
http://www.pshcanada.com/Toxicology.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30058682@N00/
Erik Harmon on thu 30 nov 06
Since the additional ventilation from the open holes would lengthen the firing would'nt it be a trade off whether the increased oxidation would benefit the elements. A long while back I heard a rumor that reducing an electric kiln would not damage the elements if done below 1200 or 800 degree's F. I never believed this enough to investigate because I happen to hate changing elements. I know that Mr. Maelstrom has done some beautiful work in a post firing reduction (I think he called it striking), at enamel temps ^020 ? In theory how damaging due you think it would be to introduce some carbon at ^020 in a electric, with or with out heavy duty elements. Erik
P.S. I love learning about this stuff !!!
Arnold Howard wrote:
From: "Lisa E"
> She suggested that I never plug the peep holes because it
> will help with
> oxidation and will prolong the life of my elements and
> bricks.
I agree that leaving the peephole plugs out during the
firing gives better oxygenation inside the kiln. I don't
know if that improves the life of the elements. It makes
sense that it would, but I haven't seen any hard evidence.
Has anyone else? I would guess that elements may last
slightly longer with improved oxygenation.
A disadvantage to leaving out the peephole plugs is that it
can cause cold spots in the kiln, especially if there are
air drafts in your firing room.
If you leave peephole plugs out, keep ware 3" from the
peephole. If your ware develops problems from cool air
drafts, such as a glazed piece with a crazed spot, insert
the peephole plugs after the kiln reaches 1000 degrees F, or
about half way through the firing. If you use a downdraft
kiln vent, keep the peephole plugs inserted for the entire
firing.
I look forward to reading other opinions.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.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.
---------------------------------
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
William & Susan Schran User on thu 30 nov 06
On 11/30/06 10:58 AM, "Erik Harmon" wrote:
> I know that Mr. Maelstrom has done some beautiful work in a post firing
> reduction (I think he called it striking), at enamel temps ^020 ? In theory
> how damaging due you think it would be to introduce some carbon at ^020 in a
> electric, with or with out heavy duty elements.
William Melstrom does a Post-glaze firing reduction at ^018 in a fiber lined
trash can, firing with gas - much like a raku kiln. He does not conduct
reduction firings in his electric kiln, or at least not any more.
There was a time when some folks working with crystalline glazes would
introduce an oil drip into their electric kilns. A somewhat dangerous
practice that does shorten element life.
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
sacredclay on thu 30 nov 06
I like to hear more about this, too. I recently started wroking as a
teacher at another gallery. The owner was sick and I subbed for his
classes. to help him out alittle, I loaded both glazed and bisqueware.
He came in to unload and told me that he never usess the plugs in the
electric peepholes. He said that he wants to keep it oxidized
atmoshpere. He's not dumb. He's pretty smart and had even gone to
Alfred University and I'm well aware that every potter has a way of
doing things differently. However, to me, it seemed like an enormous
waste of electricity. all the pieces come out fine. Kathryn in NC
William & Susan Schran User on fri 1 dec 06
On 11/30/06 5:11 PM, "sacredclay" wrote:
> He came in to unload and told me that he never usess the plugs in the
> electric peepholes. He said that he wants to keep it oxidized
> atmoshpere.
If the kiln does not have a direct venting system attached, the small area
of spy holes probably doesn't affect the firing all that much.
I a direct vent is used with a sectional kiln, then leaving the spy hole
plugs in is fine as enough air is drawn in though all the little gaps
between sections.
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
sacredclay on fri 1 dec 06
That's a another issue I have to bust his chops about. I don't see any
form of venting except for a amall peep hole through the cement wall.
The kilns are in a small room but in the back but not sectioned off.I
don't want to screw myself out of a job, but I also don't want to screw
myself into an early grave either.I think it's money that's the
problem. Still, the place is great, the opportunity is better here
than it is at the other place I work. One thing at a time. Warmest
regards, to all. Kathryn in NC the sun is coming out>
> If the kiln does not have a direct venting system attached, the small
area
> of spy holes probably doesn't affect the firing all that much.
>
>
> --
> William "Bill" Schran
>
Lois Ruben Aronow on fri 1 dec 06
To all non-peep users: I can't imagine what your electric bills are, and
how much strain you are putting on your kilns to reach temperature! It
sounds insane to me. Unless I am missing something. Why would you make
your kiln "more oxidizing' and what difference would that make? Besides, if
you are using a vent, the open peeps would affect the air circulation inside
the kiln. My envirovent creates a downdraft condition, and I get nice even
firings. I would think that would change (and my studio would be like a
sauna) if the peeps weren't plugged.
Just my $.02
Lois Ruben Aronow Ceramics
232 Third Street - # B202A
Brooklyn, NY 11215
p: 917..561..2854
f: 718..246.0819
www.loisaronow.com
Deborah Woods on sat 2 dec 06
I can't imagine anyone wants another opinions at this point, but my
opinion is, the cost for the firing, and the strain on the elements seem
like a non-issue to me. These things are the cost of doing business.
What is important I think are the results from the firing. I can probably
get at least 750$ worth of pots from a 10 cu.ft. firing. Two or three
coffee cups more than pay for the electrical cost of that firing. The
other day I read how someone would love to use rutile more, but it's so
expensive, what can they substitute. Once, someone wanted recipes and
tests with very reliable results from other people, because she didn't
like to waste glaze materials testing. Etc. etc. . . I know this is a
little off-topic, but just on my mind.
I guess I should first respond to my understanding of oxidation. From
what I have learned, getting oxygen into an electric oxidized kiln firing
is as important as getting the oxygen out of a fuel burning reduction
firing. The oxygen is said to brighten the glazes, breathing more life
into them. I guess if oxygen works for glazes as it does people than that
would make sense. If you have a vent attatched to your kiln, you are
supposed to either leave the top peep out, or, as I have done, drill a few
holes in the top of your kiln (size and quantity dependent on kiln size).
I have three holes on a 10 cu. ft. I think they are 3/8" each (without
checking)I believe this helps to create more efficient venting as well.
Like when you have two windows open in a room across from eachother the
draft is much better.
Back to the financial, I totally understand money is a concern, but if
you are looking at this as a serious business, then like they say, it
costs money to make money. I am fortunate, most of my stuff is payed for,
but I am probably 15oo$ in debt on purchased materials right now. This is
not a concern to me. If I were to open a restaurant or a bookstore or pet
shop or whatever, I would need a loan or backing. This is how starting a
business operates. (Unless of course you have saved really well to supply
your funds for a few years). But don't let money make your creative
decisions. If you believe in your business and your art, it is an
investment, and if you put in the time, you will re-coup that money. I'm
not saying don't care at all. Obviously you want to minimize costs, that
is how you make a profit. I just feel like I see so many people holding
themselves back for 25$.
Well I hope I didn't offend anyone too much, but that's what I'm
thinking.--debbie
| |
|
