Anybody have a kiln to fire painted china ?

[bearfan454]

I know franmarz does. Anybody else ?

[lies and propaganda]

1. I have a kiln, though no experience with china..

I have a really great teacher here though who guides me through the unknowns..

[China_cat]

3. Firing china's pretty easy. Cone 017 to 019

kiln wash the shelves and you won't even have to stilt.

[China_cat]

2. Sold my kilns when I closed the shop

Sorry.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Not yet, but want an electric one, big enough to do big pieces. My

problem is where do I put it? I would probably have no choice but in the 'cellar' (not a basement, but a dark, damp cellar under my 149 yr-old house) and guess that I'd have to have another electric line put in. Do they require an outlet like a clothes dryer?

[China_cat]

5. Depends on the size

Larger kilns do better directly wired rather than with a plug. They will also be 220 with 30 amps or better so if you don't have at least 200 amp service coming into your house you'll be throwing breakers all the time. Also, a damp area would not be good for the kiln. It would tend to corrode the elements. I've changed plenty in my time and it is a pita...and the back, and the shoulders, not to mention finding that your element connection popped 30 minutes into the firing and screwed up your work.

You need a dry place that is either well ventilated or to purchase a ventilation system with the kiln. The fumes from china painting can be very damaging. If you're planning to fire greenware, they can be deadly.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Hate to bother you with more questions, but does it have to reside in a

heated space? Could I put it in my 10' by 16' shed? The shed isn't heated nor cooled. It's one of those wooden barn-like structures. Thanks.

[China_cat]

7. As long as the temps aren't quickly extreme.

Kiln elements are very brittle and crack easily. You'd need to set the kiln to ramp up the temp slower in a cold situation...which is no problem if you get one of the newer electronic contol models. Just make sure that the shed isn't too damp. Also make sure it's on a fireproof flooring material (such as tile...you could even get flagstones to set it on) and sitting at least 12" from any flammable walls.