Karen B Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Is it possible, practical, to take off sections of my Skutt 1027 to fire smaller loads? I am doing a lot of testing now and it is not easy (or cheap) to fill the whole kiln while I get new glazes and glaze combos right. Thanks, Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 If it hasn't been intended to be used that way then no, unless you know what you are doing. Even then it probably wouldn't be ideal and you could burn out some part by over loading the circuit or under loading it and never reach temperature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 When you start taking rings off, the kiln will have a harder time reaching temperature. With 3 rings they work together to deal with the heat loss from the lid and floor. With one or two rings they have to work harder and may not have enough power to deal with it. Two rings may work, but may not. Firing is pretty inexpensive, so don't feel too bad about firing it half empty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen B Posted July 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2014 Thanks for your common sense. If anyone is interested, here is the answer from Skutt: The kiln is designed to be used with all three sections together. If you want tojust load a very small load in the kiln, I would place the load in the centersection of the kiln and put empty shelves (with possibly extra shelf postslaying on shelves to simulate having a larger load in the kiln) on the bottomand top of kiln to keep the kiln firing more evenly.If you wanted to physically make this a two section kiln, you would need to; putdifferent heating elements in the kiln, if it is an automated KilnMaster kiln itwould also need a different control box, and the building circuit breaker forthe kiln would need to be changed to a 50 amp breaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen B Posted July 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2014 When you start taking rings off, the kiln will have a harder time reaching temperature. With 3 rings they work together to deal with the heat loss from the lid and floor. With one or two rings they have to work harder and may not have enough power to deal with it. Two rings may work, but may not. Firing is pretty inexpensive, so don't feel too bad about firing it half empty. Just wanted to say Neil, that your comment has been freeing for me. " Firing is pretty inexpensive, so don't feel too bad about firing it half empty." Since I stopped worrying about it, I have successfully made and tested 3 new glazes which I am so excited about. Because of others' suggestions, I am using cones in each firing which I date, and I have a book to record the firings and any nuances. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.