Kiln Vent Questions

[Rebekah Krieger]

I just had the vent (under kiln) installed in my basement. The construction guy seemed nervous about what I was asking him to do. (i can attach a photo if needed) He was worried that the air coming out was going to be very hot and a fire hazard. What kind of vents do you use? How do you care for it or prevent risk of fire? 

[neilestrick]

If you're using a downdraft kiln vent (Vent-Sure, Envirovent, Orton), the vent is only pulling a small amount of air from the kiln- just enough to keep negative pressure in the kiln. That air is then  mixed with a large volume of air from the room, which cools it down to about 150 degrees, no hotter than what comes out of your clothes dryer.

[TJR]

I use an Envirovent under my electric kiln. The floor is concrete. The air is vented out of the studio using a squirrel cage blower, which is part of the vent package. The air is not hot. Use a metal pipe for venting, not plastic dryer vent hose.

TJR.

[JLowes]

My first vent is an Orton, which I installed myself.  I took a long look at the box that goes under the kiln and noted that there are "holes" that pull in air from the room, so the air temperature going to the fan is much less than what comes out of the kiln. The Orton says it is good for two kilns, so when I added a second kiln, I made the collector box under the kiln for #2 from an electrical junction box and an electrical fitting through its wall to transition to the air hose.  I also opened up one of the other knock-out holes to provide the room temperature air to mix in. As TJR said, I used all metal pipe to the fan, and aluminum dryer vent hose from the fan to outside.

 

Unless the guy did something to compromise the room air intake, you should be good.

 

John