Charredsky Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Hi there, I recently bought my very first kiln. It's VERY old, I think from the 60's or 70's. I was assuming it would have cracks in it, but I am a little concerned about the condition of the firebrick on the top. It's so crumbled it's almost falling into the kiln. I've seen a few websites that say the cracks don't matter unless the elements are sagging because of it, but I just find it hard to believe that with it this damaged they can still insulate (especially at the top). I've attached a picture of it. Can anyone tell me if I need to repair these bricks or not? Or does it just not matter if I can still get to temperature alright? Thanks in advance, Sigourney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Miller Posted January 24, 2016 Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 It might not be a bad idea to replace them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted January 24, 2016 Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 I hope you didn't pay too much for it. Hard to really tell what the problems are from the photo. This angle the ceiling looks ok but the left side is pretty broken up. Not sure what that divider thing is either. What is the stuff through the centre of the elements? Did it get smashed up in transport? That whole side looks like it has been hit. Some more photos would be good, but a fix to kiln bricks only ever seems to be a bodge. It will hold while somebody is around to keep fixing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted January 24, 2016 Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 is this one of those ancient, green cube, paragon kilns that need a heavy duty forklift to raise off the ground? if so, call Paragon in texas. if you really plan to use it, fix it all. vacuum out all the crumbs and good luck. joel, if it is what i suspect, that "divider" is a shelf stored on its side. very poor location for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charredsky Posted January 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 The kiln was free and very old, a Cress C-20-H. I wasn't expecting it to be in great condition The picture is taken from above - the smashed up bricks are on the side that the previous owner must have been leaning against for 30-40 years. I assume that's why it's in such bad condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 24, 2016 Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 This looks like one of the older square Cress box kilns-they wiegh about 10 tons or that what I remember moving them. You will need to replace these bricks-before you do that make sure its working-plug it in and see that all the elements are glowing when turned on.You may have to cut your own brick slots-call Cress and see if they still have parts for his model? It will be hard to replace those bricks without breaking the brittle elements. So this job may include a top element or all new elements? You will need to decide whether it cost effective to upgrade this ancient beast even though it may have been free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted January 24, 2016 Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 Vacuum the entire kiln esp. the element grooves, but carefully. The danger is that pieces will drop onto your ware as you load. Then do as above to see if the elements are working. Free.. I'd use it till the top element goes, then think again. Putting money up front for this kiln when so many other expensive parts may be on the way out may not be financially sound. If it is your first and only kiln use it till something goes wrong. Some folks manufacture a thing to protect the top bricks from such damage when loading... Vacuum well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewV Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 What temperature are you planning on firing to? How often? If the answers are ∆6 or less and twice a month or less I would just vacuum the elements and not worry about the damage. Firebrick cannot really be repaired, just replaced. Large cracks could be filled with Kaowool but I cannot say I would recommend this either. Once the elements have gone...upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 The broken bricks should be replaced. There's no seal there any more. You may have to replace the elements, too, depending on how nicely they come out. Old elements can be very brittle. If this is constructed like many square top loaders, it's going to be a nightmare. You'll need to remove the top frame, which may be rusted on. The bricks themselves may be full wall modules, not individual bricks, in which case you either have to replace the entire wall, or cut out and fill in with individual bricks, which is incredibly tedious and messy. Stock Cress bricks may have grooves that line up if you go that route. The bricks is probably backed up by some sort of fiber board, which may also be crumbling. You won't know until you get into it. Fair warning, you're opening up a potential can of worms. Personally, I will not replace bricks in these types of kilns. It's just not worth it for my customers to pay for the amount of labor needed to do it right, and often I just can't get the kiln taken apart anyway since they rust out so badly around the top edge. There's no such thing as a free kiln. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mug Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 I'm with every one sweep it out and use it until it breaks. If it's broken buy a nicer new one or a used one in good condition. I've seen some nice used ones around here with the old style kiln sitter go for a $100 to 300 on Craig's list. That might cost less you than a set of heating elements. If the elements are bad you can with a little creativity fire it with a couple of weed burners. Search "converting an electric kiln to gas" This was probably fired with tons of lead glazes and If I'm not mistaken the fiberboard contained asbestos...Neil or someone here would probably know. If you remove the bricks you may have more than a can of worms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charredsky Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 Okay guys, thanks for all the input. I just tested it for lead and that came out negative, so at least I don't have to worry about that. I'll try to take it up to ^6 and if it can't reach temp I'll start looking for another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 The backup fiber insulation may or may not contain asbestos. There's no way of knowing unless Cress can tell you or you have it tested once you open it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 Anything made before the early 70"s is highly suspicious for lead and or asbestos. Nerd >>>what Neil said!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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