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Kiln location

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 2:49 pm
by Dotti B
Hi, All,

I am just about to purchase a kiln (20" square, internal measurment, top loader) to use at home. Problem is that I have always worked in studios with ceilings at least 12 feet in height. Now I am concerned that the 8 foot ceilings in my basement (unfinished, exposed wood beams) may be a problem as a good kiln location because of the heat build up above the kiln. I am wondering if my concern is well founded, and, if so, is there anything I can do, other than relocate, that will resolve the problem? Thanks for any help anyone might offer!

Dotti B.

Re: Kiln location

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 3:08 pm
by Brock
The outside skin of a well made kiln, may reach a few hundred degrees max, but a few feet above it, it radiates into a nice room heater. Brock
Dotti B wrote:Hi, All,

I am just about to purchase a kiln (20" square, internal measurment, top loader) to use at home. Problem is that I have always worked in studios with ceilings at least 12 feet in height. Now I am concerned that the 8 foot ceilings in my basement (unfinished, exposed wood beams) may be a problem as a good kiln location because of the heat build up above the kiln. I am wondering if my concern is well founded, and, if so, is there anything I can do, other than relocate, that will resolve the problem? Thanks for any help anyone might offer!

Dotti B.

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 4:29 pm
by Val Eibner
Couple of different solutions that can be used: Use a fibrefax Or kaowool banket over the top of the kiln during firing to reduce the flow of heat upwards and better yet...invest in a orton vent system that will take fumes outside as well as keep the heat down a bit more. Like Brock said it is a good room warmer. Also, I fired in my basement for 10 years a large oval kiln and over time all my heat ducts and pipe were getting the corrosive look with the exposed ceiling problem. Makes you wonder what the old pipe inside the body look like....Hmmmmm V.

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 4:43 pm
by Phil Hoppes
At fusing temps the surface of you kiln on the outside can reach between 200F and 300F depending on your schedule and type of insualtion. 18" away however on all sides you are just above room temp. An 8' celing height should be no problem. Just don't use your kiln to store paper on top of (don't laugh, someone did), don't store flamable liquids or materials close by. Make sure you have some type of ventilation.

Phil

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:57 pm
by Dotti B
Thanks for the help and advice - I feel better now!

Dotti

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 12:05 pm
by charlie
Val Eibner wrote:Couple of different solutions that can be used: Use a fibrefax Or kaowool banket over the top of the kiln during firing to reduce the flow of heat upwards and better yet...invest in a orton vent system that will take fumes outside as well as keep the heat down a bit more. Like Brock said it is a good room warmer. Also, I fired in my basement for 10 years a large oval kiln and over time all my heat ducts and pipe were getting the corrosive look with the exposed ceiling problem. Makes you wonder what the old pipe inside the body look like....Hmmmmm V.
it's usually a bad idea to cover a working kiln. the skin temp may go up over what it was designed to, as it's supposed to radiate heat away. also, if you trap your controller under a blanket, you can most probably kiss it off.
Phil Hoppes wrote:At fusing temps the surface of you kiln on the outside can reach between 200F and 300F depending on your schedule and type of insualtion. 18" away however on all sides you are just above room temp. An 8' celing height should be no problem. Just don't use your kiln to store paper on top of (don't laugh, someone did), don't store flamable liquids or materials close by. Make sure you have some type of ventilation.

Phil
i left a kevlar glove on top of my kiln. once. it's brown and crunchy now.

kiln location

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 7:40 pm
by Jeanette B
Thanks for all of the commentary on this subject. I am in the process of getting a kiln - I am new to all of this wonderful glass stuff and learning so much on this website. I am just going to put the kiln in my spare bedroom which will be my craft room, on a piece of that fire proof tile stuff they use to put behind wood stoves to protect your wall from heat so I am supposing that will be sufficient protection. I will also put that on the walls as it will be nearer a corner of the room. Is there a fatal flaw to this idea?

Thanks for your help to this newbie!

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 10:24 pm
by KellyG
Hi Dottie, the ceiling in my shop is only 8' and my large kiln (24" sq. shelf) is only a few inches from the wall. I can comfortably stand in front of it and place my hands 8-9" above when it's up to full fuse temps. It's never been a problem, but it's well insulated.

I work at a chemical plant and we've had runaway temp. excursions on one of the reactors (twice). I've seen how these things glow when they're at 1700F, and it amazes me that glass works at these temps all the time.

Don't know why I'm not losing sleep over it :-k.

...Kelly

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:15 am
by Debinsandiego
I once put a tube of blistex lip stuff through the washer and dryer. All the lip stuff went into the lid. I keep that one inch, perhaps two inches, away from my kiln. It's been there for three years. I have YET to see it melt the blistex out of the cap. It makes my husband feel comfortable that I'm not going to burn the house down. This includes some flash venting. I wouldn't worry about flash venting either.

I would watch yourself if you do plan on doing any open kiln manipulation. I haven't done any myself, yet. Perhaps some one who has could let us know. But my guess is, you are still OK.

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 9:30 am
by Dotti B
I can't tell you the number of times I have washed and dried tubes of Burt's Bees Lip Balm, and found empty tubes in the dryer! I am glad to know the stuff won't melt next to the kiln - amazing.

I have not yet manipulated hot glass, though I can't wait to try it - maybe I will hang a sheet of Fire Rock above the kiln just for that purpose. I was actually hoping to take half of the garage, but my husband is a car freak and is more worried about the kiln being near his beauties than about my burning the house down!! So, the basement it is!

Thanks for all the advice,
Dotti

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 10:31 am
by charlie
Dotti B wrote:I was actually hoping to take half of the garage, but my husband is a car freak and is more worried about the kiln being near his beauties than about my burning the house down!! So, the basement it is!

Thanks for all the advice,
Dotti
my skutt gm1014 is about 18"' from my plastic car without any problems at all.

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 2:12 pm
by Jeanette B
Dotti - you just hit on the reason I am putting the kiln in the house instead of the garage, my hubby doesn't want the kiln near his motorcycle or 66 chevelle! I think he is more worried that since I am a beginner I will trip on the way to the kiln and throw glass all over his toys than anything...... I do appreciate all this input though on keeping the kilns fairly close to the walls and not seeing any ill effects. Makes me feel safer about the floor plan I set out. Thanks everyone!

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 4:51 pm
by Tony Serviente
Dotti-Did your clothes repel water after going through dryer with Burts Bees? Perhaps an alternative to Gore Tex is within our grasp. Back to topic-I have a small brick topped kiln (about 3" thick lid) that a clip board with years of firing schedules was left on once. Came in the next day and all that was left was the metal clip and some black ash. Another metal skinned kiln with a fiber board lid developed a warp, and the IR glow looked out on a power cord about a foot away. It did not melt through to the bare metal, but it was close. Since I have barely avoided burning down my various studios for a few decades, I keep combustibles at least a few feet from my kilns.

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 7:03 pm
by Dotti B
Plastic car, Charlie?

Dotti

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 8:04 pm
by Jackie Beckman
Corvette

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 9:44 pm
by elizglass
Hi Dotti!
Hope this will be a way to reach you- sent the pics from the workshop to your email- did U get?
I have 4 of my kilns in Z garage, and the large one I was concerned, because it comes to within a couple feet of my (drywall) cieling. It is 72x26, so I gotta stainless "mini" hood- it's a frontloaer and door opens down, so I have a hood that sits about 1 ft or so up, and is about 8" wide, to catch the major heat when I dump.
My other kilns, I have no worries just 12" from walls/floors. True, don't do the Bert's Bees test- keep anything combustable at least 1 ft away. What kiln did you get?
Liz
PS When/how can I get my murrini?! And when are you coming over to comb?!

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 1:10 pm
by Debinsandiego
I have a small brick topped kiln (about 3" thick lid) that a clip board with years of firing schedules was left on once. Came in the next day and all that was left was the metal clip and some black ash.
THAT sent chills down my spine... I got the full mental image of the ask on top of the kiln ... ohmygosh...

My husband was worried about me keeping my ring saw near his truck. I've got the TAURUS ring saw, I love it, but it does tend to SPIT glass bits every where. My husband was convinced it was going to get on the hood of his truck and scratch the paint. (aka - his baby).

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:49 pm
by Dotti B
Liz - Got the pics! Thanks so much (Ceci got them, too) they were great! Later this month, I go off on a long and well anticipated vacation in the Virgin Islands (my sister-in-law is getting married there) but when I get back, I can bring your murinni's and we can comb!!!

The kiln - well, I thought about building one like we discussed, then thought about buying one...probably will get either a 20" Glass Glow, like the one in the studio, or a Paragon, but I really like a top loader...

Lots of new stuff going on - I'll catch you up when I see you in May!

Dotti

Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 7:13 pm
by elizglass
Yay, Virgin Islands! is the pics email your email so I don't use this board to talk to you? Have a great time!- I liked the kiln in your shop, except for it's ALL brick... Pro's and con's to top loaders. Like for combing I prefer my front loader. Hey you ( meaning your biz/rep) should do something in the Glass Art Festival May 8th!!!
Liz