First time trying a ceramic bisque firing in a home made, ceramic fiber Raku kiln with propane
Вставка
- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- I built a kiln modeled on Ian Gregory's ceramic flat pack fiber kiln using 2" thick 8# ceramic fiber rated to 2300F..
www.ian-gregory...
I built the kiln for Raku firing, but on it's maiden voyage, I decided to try a bisque firing. I was inspired to try bisque firing in this kiln based on a video I saw from Simon Leach doing a bisque firing in a somewhat similar kiln.
• SIMON LEACH - Raku kil...
I did not opt to use cone packs for the firing, but being a pottery newby and not having ANY experience other than Raku firings in my pottery class, I opted to use a cheapo digital pyrometer for my first attempt at bisque firing. Believe me, it was worth it's weight in gold!
I used a weed burner for my kiln burner, but to avoid propane tank freeze up, I bought a fitting off eBay that enabled me to run two 20 pound tanks into a common regulator. The eBay fitting came with an 11" water column regulator, but I replaced that with a 20 pound, adjustable high pressure regulator. With the twin tanks and regulator, I had steady pressure throughout the firing and no issues with tank freezing. (By the way, I estimate the entire firing consumed about 2/3rds of a single 20 pound tank's worth of propane)
I searched the internet high and low for any info on bisque firing, and came up with a planned firing schedule based on a number of resources. I was worried about being able to regulate the kiln at very low temps, so I opted to pre heat and dry my pottery overnight in a kitchen stove oven. All the pieces were bone dry, but regardless, I started heating them in the kitchen stove at 10:15 the night before at 170F and bumped the temp up 5 degrees every 15 minutes until it was at 220F.before going to bed leaving the oven door cracked open an inch or so. In the morning at around seven, i closed the door and bumped the temp 20 degrees F every 15 minutes until it was at 345F. (By the way, my worries about low temp regulation were unfounded)
Meanwhile, I set up my kiln and pre-heated it. By 9:00am, the kiln was at 360F. I shut off the kiln propane, transferred my pottery to the kiln, and commenced firing!
At 9:30am, with the kiln loaded and propane off, the temp inside was 170F. By 4pm (6 1/2 hours later) the kiln was 1925F. I kept detailed notes of my firing schedule and will be happy to share with anyone else interested in attempting to bisque fire in a fiber kiln!
I was extremely pleased with the way the kiln worked and my ability to control the firing. I rate this as a success. (At least before the kiln opening tomorrow!)
I will post a follow up video showing results after i unload the kiln tomorrow.
By the way, during the video, if you hear me say "cone 6" or "cone 5", etc., I really mean cone 06 or 05. (Sometimes when multitasking during filming solo, what you MEANT to say isn't what you actually say! Mea culpa.)
Big thanks for sharing this! There's not much info out there on bisque firing in a raku kiln, so this is a real treasure to find.
No. With the infinitely adjustable lid, it's not necessary for a vent. I may add a covered peep hole in the lid that I can use to make it easier to observe glaze maturity during Raku. I suppose the peep hole cover could do double duty as a vent.
Yes. The fiber dust is not something you want to inhale. Wear a face mask or respirator when you cut the fiber. Long sleeves and gloves are recommended too to prevent itching and skin irritation.
This was an excellent video, thanks for posting I really wanted to know how to bisque fire in those kilns
The first firing I used about 2/3rds of one tank. At that rate, I could get 3 firings from my setup using the double tanks. I have done subsequent firings at a faster rate and have used much less propane. I can probably get 4 firings from the double tanks now at the new firing rate.
It’s a digital thermometer. Pyrometer is generally the term when using it for higher temperatures.
Hi Tarvus. Thanks for this video. I'm even newer to pottery than you as I haven't made anything yet, nor have I finished my kiln. I'm converting an electric to propane so I appreciated your brick layout in the next video. I'd love to know your firing schedule with times and temps. I have never fired anything and will be firing within the next three weeks. I'm also going to get a pyrometer, thanks for your insight there as I was on the fence there.
I love your enthusiasm and Patches.
Harold
Great video! Getting ready to build a similar kiln. It looked like the top around the flue exit was starting to sag near the end. Perhaps thicker fencing? I had a dog just like Patches. sure miss him!
Cool video! I noticed this was posted 9 years ago and not sure if you’re still into pottery but would love to see a more in-depth breakdown of the construction of your kiln…especially the inside. Thank you!
Here's a link that I referred to when building my kiln:
www.ian-gregory.co.uk/kilns.html
Wow nice! Your still here!
Great video, really enjoyed just watching you fire the kiln. I am currently dreaming of building a smallish cone 9/10 reduction.
If you are still giving out the firing schedule, I would love to have it!
In raku you can fire slow or fast. But it can take anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours to reach temperature. I think he is firing to cone 05.
I really enjoyed your video. I would like to make a kiln similar to yours. Where can I purchase the 2" ceramic fiber, the wire you used to sandwich it together and the instrument you used to show the temperature? This is a fantastic kiln you have designed. Thanks Bryan
I made a raku kiln and I bought the blanket at any pottery store. It can be sold by the foot or the whole box. I think this will take a whole box. I used a 16 gauge galvanized steel wire you can get at any home store. The instrument used is called a pyrometer and can be found online.
Buenísimo,,, quizás si la tapa era diferente, habría alcanzado mas temperatura. Felicidades.
So well explained thank you
Very cool! I’m impressed. I’m really curious how the pots turned out, whether they survived or not.
They all survived and turned out fine
Olá, seu sensor de temperatura está configurado para graus Celsius ou Fahrenheit? É a primeira queima biscoito que realizou? Parabéns pela construção do forno.
A leitura da temperatura está em graus Fahrenheit neste vídeo. E sim, este foi o primeiro bisque a disparar que fiz neste forno. No entanto, tenho outros vídeos publicados de disparos bisque subsequentes.
@@tarvus33991, obrigado pela pronta resposta, me expressei mal, a referência é para a peça sendo queimada do video, é que apesar de ser um gato também construí um forno a gás para Raku, e fiquei impressionado com a temperatura que conseguiu, por isso perguntei. Ainda não fiz nenhuma queima, construi em um latão de 200 litros, consegui uma manta cerâmica especial para até 1400 graus celsius e espessura de 50mm, mas, seu vídeo e talento autodidata me surpreendeu e também motivou. Gostaria de futuramente contar com suas dicas e conhecimento. Senão for incômodo.
How much gas was used to complete the firing in the video? Thanks
The organic binders in the fiber blanket will start to burn out & smell on first firing.
Interesting video but I was wondering, would putting a shell over the insulation make the heating more efficient? Cause that's just insulation and ussually you need a backing for it to work properly
Right?
It worked fine as is, but sure, more insulation would improve it's efficiency. But it would entail more expense and more time to set it up. The advantage of this setup is its relative inexpensiveness and portability.
@@tarvus33991 ok thank you, I'm actually planning to do something similar and was just curious
So far just 1925F, but I'm quite sure it will fire much higher.
HI Tarvus - thanks for excellent video. Would you be so kind to share details of make/model of propane tank splitter and thermo probe you used. I'm trying to build similar kiln for my wife and having no prior experience any assistance and guidance will be appreciated. Thanks!
is it possible to use 1" ceramic blanket? I need a kiln for 800 centigrade degrees. is it possible to use one layer of ceramic blanket for interior and one layer of glass wool for the exterior layer?
Thanks for sharing. How long did your bisque take to fire altogether?
Is there another link to see your work after it was fired please?
Hey. I enjoyed your video and am in the process of making a similar kiln. I would like to also to Raku. Are you able to talk me through your bisque firing times as I am new to this.
Is ceramic fibres are call us glass wool ?
I'm in process of,desiginging similar kiln, have you made a vent system yet? Have you
Great video, thanks! Are there any health and safety considerations with the ceramic fibre?
ehjones
Yes, the fibers will only be dangerous when airborne. The untreated surfaces will fracture with time inside and our, becoming airborne. the inside should be coated with a refractory coating to prevent this degradation, as well as the outside should be sealed with some rigidizer.
How highnhavebyou fired kiln to?
Do you have an estimate on the max temp you can take this kiln?
You can go as high as about cone 7, but you need to add more than one gas tank at the same time. Look on you tube for more info.
Thanks for the videos...how much propane do you use for each firing?
On average a can per firing, but his size kiln would probable take two.
Mary Potter ...That sounds inefficient. But it looks like he has gaps. I don’t get why it isn’t securely closed and save some energy.
@@3daypriest he’s using that gap as his exhaust I believe. Whether he intended it that way I think it’s functioning like that.
That was a very long firing. Every raku firing I have been to has taken 1-2 hours. Raku clay can take a fast firing and cooling.
This was not a raku firing. It was a cone 05 bisque firing
I have an excel file of my firing schedule, Veggiesoup. Send me your email and I'll reply back and attach the file! :)
I have just built a small kiln after watching ur video, which was an awesome video! I am brand new to pottery and am getting ready to do my very first firing. It would be awesome if u would share ur firing schedule with me. My email address is michellemooney1969@gmail.com Could u please tell me what the converter is called that u used to be able to hook up the two tanks at once?
Me too! I'm hoping to get the firing schedule also
@@michellemooney1460 , sadly I no longer have my excel file with the firing schedule :(
@@katanaashby6068 sadly I no longer have my excel file with the firing schedule