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Test Kiln


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I'm considering buying a test kiln and would like to hear the pros and cons

 

We have a 3 cu.ft. kiln with a sitter and thinking I'm about a 0.5 cu.ft with a controller.

 

Right now our cycle of filling the kiln for bisque then glaze firing is about 6 weeks.

 

I'm starting to test glazes, so doing a test tile then a test piece with the glaze has a 12 week turnaround to find out it I'm on the right track.

 

FWIW, my kiln is housed in a building that uses commercial on-demand power. In simple terms it means that I'm billed a block of power for my highest draw. So it costs $35 to to the first firing of the month then $5 for the second firing.I know, its crazy. If I moved the kiln to my home the cost would be around $4.50 per firing. If I build a kitchen in the commercial spot I might get it to residential power. Its a $650 gamble if I could accomplish this.

 

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

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I have been using an .25cf test kiln for years. I can fire 2- 6 x 6 tiles, or up to 10 test bars when I am testing clay bodies. I have fired it somewhere in the 1200 times range. (Paragon) Skutt came out with a .50 test kiln a few years back, that looks promising; been considering one. My test kiln costs about .50 cents to fire; power is dirt cheap on our rural co- op. Best to figure out what type of test bars you are going to use, and then buy around that premise in width and depth.

Nerd

 

Skutt glaze tech ..looked it up

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Marcia,

I would have preferred a 1 cu.ft. kiln but could not find any. The inside dimensions are 11" round x 9" tall.

 

Tom,

I like the size on that kiln

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I have a AIM test kiln that is .3 cubic feet, bought it about 20 years ago so it doesn't have a controller.  One think nice is that it plugs into a standard outlet that has a 20amp breaker.  I can fire 5 large test tiles in it or 10 small, if your larger kiln has a controller your test kiln should also have a controller.  One thing I don't like about this test kiln is that it cools down too fast and it is hard to down fire.  A test kiln with 3" walls would be the best way to go.    Denice

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If you can do a second firing in a month for $5- then why get a test kiln? Just load your 3 cubic foot one with test tiles and add some shelves to have enough mass in there to simulate more pots. How much are test kilns with controllers now, around 7-8 hundred? I can see it for the ease of firing often at home versus going into the shop but thats a lot of firings for that much money.

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I've thought of that too Min and test kilns are closer to $1000 (200 $5 firings). There's just something in my DNA that won't let me fire a tiny load in a kiln, maybe I can get that problem fixed by a doctor..

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I've thought of that too Min and test kilns are closer to $1000 (200 $5 firings). There's just something in my DNA that won't let me fire a tiny load in a kiln, maybe I can get that problem fixed by a doctor..

 

Ron I get what you are saying about not being wasteful with electricity. One other thought is to put the money into buying an electronic controller for your 3 cubic' kiln instead. If you are interested in lots of glaze surfaces, not just clear with colourants or basic gloss glazes, being able to slow cool the kiln will get you many more interesting glazes much easier than a sitter kiln will. With one your size you could probably get away with just using 2 zones. But then you are back to firing an unfilled kiln again  :wacko:  just a thought.

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ron, last year i found a small kiln on craigslist.  a paragon 66.  i do not speak square feet but the kiln is just under 12 inches deep and a 12 inch shelf just fits inside.  it is plugged into a wall mounted controller that i used for years with my huge paragon until it finally died.  i don't know why, it was only 40 years old or so.

 

because of the controller, i can fire tests that are similar to the big L&L with controller built in.   maybe if you just look for a small kiln, you can find a similar one.  mine was used by someone who fired the typical greenware or bisque pieces you find at paint your own pottery places so it never went above 06.  i had it serviced by the kiln doctor who is our 4 state local kiln expert and it is just fine.  a very practical size for testing since i always think "what if" and add a few more test tiles to what i had.

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One other thought is to put the money into buying an electronic controller for your 3 cubic' kiln instead. If you are interested in lots of glaze surfaces, not just clear with colourants or basic gloss glazes, being able to slow cool the kiln will get you many more interesting glazes much easier than a sitter kiln will. With one your size you could probably get away with just using 2 zones. But then you are back to firing an unfilled kiln again  :wacko:  just a thought.

 

 

 

Its a good thought too, one I haven't considered.

 

http://www.bartinst.com/kilns/3

 

http://www.bartinst.com/kilns/31

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Those are just the boards, need something like this. (the one for 50 amp kilns, I'm guessing yours is under that?) Looks like it's just a single zone one, don't know if there are 2 or 3 zone ones available as wall mount add on controllers. Neil or someone else would know more about what's available than I do.

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Marcia,

I would have preferred a 1 cu.ft. kiln but could not find any. The inside dimensions are 11" round x 9" tall.

 

Tom,

I like the size on that kiln

Mine is from Seattle pottery. Got it at NCECA when it was in Seattle in the 90s.Love it. I can fire lots of test tiles or  fire a dozen mugs if  need be. very handy space inside there. If you can wait for NCECA in Pittsburgh 2018, you may find some great deals on the vender's floor.

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