allenc27 6 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 (edited) Hi everyone. I recently purchased a electric / gas dual firing kiln and was told to do a 1200 c firing to get rid of the first firing bad smell. I forget to switch it to oxidation firing and the venting hose was inside the house without me noticing until later on. It was fired empty kiln with just kiln shelves and stands. It was set to fire 12 hours and during the 4th hour I started notice bad smell and turn on the fans and windows and moved to safe zone. At 8th hour I notice the whole house is this smell and it stings my eyes. I probably inhaled 3 hours of these, might be lessor because i had opened the window a bit. I'm not sure. So my question is, am I gonna be in serious deep trouble now after inhaled the fume for 3 hours? Is this real bad? I'm worry I'm gonna die? Edited September 12, 2019 by allenc27 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
neilestrick 4,614 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 I think that first we need to know what was causing the bad smell. I've never had a kiln put out a bad smell during the first firing other than during the first few minutes when the oil on the element wire is burning off. What is being used to create the reduction atmosphere? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyK 690 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Have you checked to see if you are missing a dog or cat or pet hamster? There's a good probability that you are not going to die...was there any kind of residue in the kiln when you opened it up...or have you even opened it up yet? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
allenc27 6 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 I'm not sure the cause of this smell. I was told by the manufacturer it is commonly occurs during the first firing. So he suggested to fire it to 1200 c on first fire. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
allenc27 6 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 And the animals are still there running wild freely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
allenc27 6 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 1 hour ago, neilestrick said: I think that first we need to know what was causing the bad smell. I've never had a kiln put out a bad smell during the first firing other than during the first few minutes when the oil on the element wire is burning off. What is being used to create the reduction atmosphere? The gas line didn't hook up gas tank. So electric powered up to 1200 c degree. Sure used a lot of electricity. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
neilestrick 4,614 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Since you're not dead yet, you'll probably be fine. You said you forgot to switch it to oxidation firing- what does that mean? If the gas tank wasn't hooked up and you were firing with electricity, then you were firing in oxidation. I just don't see how an empty kiln can cause that much odor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GEP 2,158 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 @allenc27 What is the make and model of your kiln? I’ve honestly never heard of a combination electric/gas kiln for pottery. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong. My understanding is that a reduction atmosphere would be too corrosive for electric elements, unless you have very heavy duty elements which are generally considered too cost prohibitive for pottery kilns. Also, if your kiln is meant to burn gas, it should not be inside your house. Rae Reich 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
liambesaw 2,767 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 3 minutes ago, GEP said: @allenc27 What is the make and model of your kiln? I’ve honestly never heard of a combination electric/gas kiln for pottery. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong. My understanding is that a reduction atmosphere would be too corrosive for electric elements, unless you have very heavy duty elements which are generally considered too cost prohibitive for pottery kilns. Also, if your kiln is meant to burn gas, it should not be inside your house. They're somewhat common outside of the US. I've seen some Chinese ones that use silicon carbide rod elements, and seen Italian ones that use coils. I think they probably just end up replacing the wire elements more often and chalk it up to operating costs. GEP 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Denice 764 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Do you have the kiln in your house,? I use to e-mail with a beginner potter, found out he had him kiln in his house when he nearly burned his whole house down. He gave up pottery when that happen. Denice Quote Link to post Share on other sites
neilestrick 4,614 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 36 minutes ago, Denice said: Do you have the kiln in your house,? I use to e-mail with a beginner potter, found out he had him kiln in his house when he nearly burned his whole house down. He gave up pottery when that happen. Denice A kiln can be perfectly safe in a house, as long as you set it up and use it according to manufacturer's specs. It's no more likely to burn down your house than your garage or commercial building. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
allenc27 6 Posted September 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, neilestrick said: Since you're not dead yet, you'll probably be fine. You said you forgot to switch it to oxidation firing- what does that mean? If the gas tank wasn't hooked up and you were firing with electricity, then you were firing in oxidation. I just don't see how an empty kiln can cause that much odor. However there is a switch to fire reduction which uses gas to heat up at 1100 c, as well a venting hose sucks the air out. That hose suppose to be hookup to a hole on the door to vent out the air to the outside of the house. And I don't know what cause the odor, I will ask the manufacturer. Actually combine gas firing at which temperature can be programmed. Edited September 13, 2019 by allenc27 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
allenc27 6 Posted September 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, GEP said: @allenc27 What is the make and model of your kiln? I’ve honestly never heard of a combination electric/gas kiln for pottery. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong. My understanding is that a reduction atmosphere would be too corrosive for electric elements, unless you have very heavy duty elements which are generally considered too cost prohibitive for pottery kilns. Also, if your kiln is meant to burn gas, it should not be inside your house. Ya dual firing system is new in Taiwan many personal studio uses it to get a minor reduction effect. Its not as reduction as full gas kiln. I have the kiln at the entrance of my house, now I'm gonna move it outside of the house because this incident. Here is the link of the brand. Sorry its all Mandarin. Brand is Lonkai, they are leading brand for these dual firing kilns in Taiwan. http://www.longkai.com.tw/tw_products_detail.asp?Fkindno=F000001&Pidno=201205290001 Edited September 13, 2019 by allenc27 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oldlady 2,811 Posted September 16, 2019 Report Share Posted September 16, 2019 (edited) not part of the discussion but i tried the website and the English translation. you might want to suggest that the company employ a translator who is a potter. the descriptions of the equipment is not understandable unless being read by a potter who has seen similar items being used elsewhere. i do not know what a "wash and gush out the glaze platform' can be but the "embryo drawing machine" is a potters wheel. Edited September 16, 2019 by oldlady correction Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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