To Control, Or To Control Not.

[graybeard]

that is the question!

 

Hi, I hope you all had a good Christmas.

 

I've been thinking about maybe getting a kiln controller for the last 6-12 months. The cost has been the main problem but something

Really unforeseen has happened and the time has almost arrived.

 

My question now is: Is this a smart move???? I've seen this mostly as a way to get a soak at or near the end of a glaze firing to give the glaze a

better chance to "smooth out" , a better way to get a long, slow candle, and to better control the cool down for bisque firing.

 

Now, what say all of you? Is this a good thing, or a waist of money?

 

Thanks for your time.

 

graybeard

[Mark C.]

Bisque cooling is not any reason to get a controlled kiln. I have fired bisques in electric for many many decades never needing electronics

The better reason is glaze firing.

I'm not an electric guy but if I was I would get Zone control for glaze firing-that way you control 3 zones for best glaze melts.

I like L&L kilns myself although I do not own one.

[neilestrick]

Sorry I missed your call today Tom. For me the greatest benefit of a digital controller is not having to turn up the kiln. I can start it up and come back 9 hours later to make sure it shut off. I can fire overnight when the heat of the kiln is the greatest benefit or least detriment depending on the time of year. My schedule is crazy so having that freedom is worth a lot to me. If you're only firing on weekends when you're home anyway, then it's not such a big deal. The second benefit for me is getting the same firing and cooling speed from 3 kilns of drastically different size. But if you only have 1 kiln, or kilns of similar size, then that's a non-issue. The third is controlling the cooling/ramp/soaking rates. But if you're firing at low fire temps I don't think you'll get the benefit from that like you would if you were firing to cone 5/6.

[Denice]

I have a test kiln, small Paragon and a large Skutt, I decided to get a dual Skutt Digital pyrometer set up.  I have a probe at the top and bottom so I can see exactly where it is hot and cool.  I just turn the controls manually,  I think I paid around $160 for it.  I can use it on any of the kilns, it is more hands on and time consuming but that doesn't bother me.  Potter

[oldlady]

after years of forgetting to turn up the switches on my old kiln, my L&L with built in controller was a wonderful addition.  the way i fire is often a mix of greenware that is glazed, bisqued glaze or a touch up of a finished glaze all in the same firing.  the controller allows this to happen with only attention at the start and at the temp that allows me to close the lid, about 1100 degrees.  then it is a matter of waiting until it is cool enough to open.  

[Pres]

Take it from someone who fires without any controller or sitter. If you have the chance to move in to zone control, you should. I fire my kiln up for glaze and down for a slow cool, hold at just below cone 6, for more crystallization, and fire down to help hold this, all manually. In the day when I bought my kiln, no digital controllers and I really wanted to be in complete control of the firing. However, getting older, overfiring due to oversleeping, and a few other factors make me think really hard about moving up. Now. . . to see if my wife will spring for the cash to buy a Jupiter four section kiln with full zone control. . . . Hmmm! Anybody have a strategy for that?

 

 

best,

Pres

[Mark C.]

I have a fire right control that turns up my kiln-no zone control just turns kiln up adjusted by a dial I set at the beginning .That dial is 0-10 which is when in apron hours the kiln will be on full-all knobs are set to high and the thing controls the infinite switch which makes a loud thumping sound when it turns on and ofd. I think only mercury switches are quite.I love this set up as the kiln setter or timer shuts it off.Its old school and you can still pick them up on e-bay a few years ago_I have a new one in a box for a spare.

[Guest]

.Hmmm! Anybody have a strategy for that?

 

But Honey, it followed me home. She's so shinny, can't we keep it? Pleeease!

[Pres]

 

.Hmmm! Anybody have a strategy for that?

 

But Honey, it followed me home. She's so shinny, can't we keep it? Pleeease!

 

She got a real laugh out of that! . !. !. !

[Pugaboo]

Find an even more expensive kiln and start by asking for that. When she says no way! Pout a little go away and wait for a bit, maybe a day or so then step down to this kiln and say IF you are willing to sacrifice some then this kiln should be fine. Let her think about it for a few days and then broach the subject again... ummm honey have you thought at all about that kiln? Mention all the positives on getting it. You can stay in bed and snuggle with her rather than getting up to adjust the kiln. You can spend the afternoon doing _____ chore she wants you to do and that you can't do now because you are having to adjust the kiln, etc etc.

 

Make the new kiln a positive for her as well as yourself and she might agree to it.

 

T

[Mark C.]

My wife does not care what I do with money in ceramics-its my business. New kiln no problem.Zero head trips

I would not have it any other way-as it works both ways for us.

[glazenerd]

I could not do the glaze effects I do, without a digital controller.

 

 

Pres: you know where the cash box is: put a mask on: and rob yourself. Option 2:  crash your kiln: Honey, I have to buy a new kiln. Desperate times call for desperate measures. (Disclaimer)...do not take any of this advice.

 

Nerd

[Guest]

 

 

.Hmmm! Anybody have a strategy for that?

 

But Honey, it followed me home. She's so shinny, can't we keep it? Pleeease!

 

She got a real laugh out of that! . !. !. !

 

 

Darn. I was hoping that would work.

[Marcia Selsor]

it depends on what you need it for. I like them because, as Neil says, you can turn it one and check it in 9 hours. Firing overnight , you can get good prices on you electricity usage. programming is a plus. It is a major convenience.

If you can do it, great. But you could do without it and work a bit harder.

Marcia

[Mark C.]

The time shift for firing is a great tool as my meter is time of use-now I only fire in off peak hours when power is cheaper

[Chilly]

My kiln was fully manual when I bought it third hand.

 

Setting the alarm clock to go turn it up during the night (cheap rate overnight electric), re-setting the alarm clock to go turn it up again.

 

Bought a digital controller, now I can set it any time up to 24 hours in advance, and only set the alarm to remind me to go and check when it's due to finish firing at 8/9am.

 

The cost was absolutely well worth it.

 

If you can afford it, buy it and do something else with your time, which is more valuable.