And so the journey begins...

[Damian79]

After many a month, considering the pro's and cons of making my own pots, my pottery journey begins. I just received my very own kiln. With a number of pots already on the drying shelf, there is but one thing left, and that is to get my new (pre-loved) kiln connected to the mains power. Im sure all the other potters out there can relate to the anticipation of firing for the first time and bringing an idea to life. Pure excitement.

[joannm]

Well done Damian ,
what sort of kiln did you buy ? don't forget to batt wash the shelves before you start
anytime you need advice you only have to ask on here , there are many who will help you.

I am certain you are going to be using crackle glazes , as you implied on my site .

good luck joann

[Shane]

What sort of power does the average home kiln draw?

[joannm]

relative to the kiln size . you can go to tetlow site and check out the charts.
I use between 25 to 45 kW depending on type of firing.
but as I do mainly shohin and mame pots my kiln is not huge

[Lynette]

Depends on the type of kiln as well as the size and type of firing.
My glass kiln which is brick and fibre and uses a normal power connection only uses a small amount of power. Costs about $5.00 to fire ( 40cm square shelf and about 20cm high, can only fire to earthenware temp).
My small electric kiln that takes a 20amp pin is the least efficient firer, because it is all brick and costs about $15.00 to fire. (30cm shelf and 42 cm high should to able to fire to stoneware, only the door leaks heat to much).
My larger kiln is fibre and uses three phase power, but by proportion costs much less to fire, it uses between 60 to 90kw to fire depending on the firing temperature. (50cm kiln shelf and 72 cm high). cost heaps to get the e phase power connected though.
Lynette

[Damian79]

Well done Damian ,
what sort of kiln did you buy ? don't forget to batt wash the shelves before you start
anytime you need advice you only have to ask on here , there are many who will help you.

I am certain you are going to be using crackle glazes , as you implied on my site .

good luck joann

Thanks Joannm
I found a small Skutt Kiln on GUM TREE that was a bargain, only fires to cone 8, correct me if im wrong, but I should be able to fire to stoneware? Internal size is 440 x 440 x 440. Octagonal in shape. I wont be firing larger pots but I should manage some medium sizes. Im wrapped. Now i just need to get my head around glazing and glazing temps, but yes, I love the crackle effect. Some experimentation will hopefully produce some interesting results. But baby steps LOL
As for cost of running im not too sure. Its single phase but needs to be wired into the mains box.

[Shane]

Thanks to the potters for this info on kilns.

[joannm]

stoneware firing is less than cone 8 Damian ,
oh you will get plenty of crackle glaze at that temp.

your kiln is same area as mine but you are loading from top. there are plenty of books around to help you, as well as all of us.
it should cost you about $600. to get it plugged in on separate socket.
you are doing some reading ? take it slow for the 1st firings suggest you use work that didn't take you forever to do.
never want to see a grown man spit the dummy & blame the appliance
actually I recall blaming mine also
joann

[Damian79]

your kiln is same area as mine but you are loading from top. there are plenty of books around to help you, as well as all of us.
it should cost you about $600. to get it plugged in on separate socket.
you are doing some reading ? take it slow for the 1st firings suggest you use work that didn't take you forever to do.
never want to see a grown man spit the dummy & blame the appliance
actually I recall blaming mine also

i never spit the dummy
connecting wont cost me anything, one of the benefits of having a sparky in the family
Im sure ill have a lot of questions for all the potters out there once i commence firing but i will be taking it slowly.
I appreciate your input and help on this one Joannm.

[joannm]

Damian, Damian, Damian, it's been over a month .
WHERE ARE YOUR 1st pots

or did they all crackle , and I don't mean the glaze
sorry if it they did , but you have got to laugh anyway.

joann . smiling is contagious

[Damian79]

LOL
No JoannM
I will be bisque firing my first pots on monday. I have only just had my kiln connected to the power so im itching to get it going. I work on weekends so my time is very limited. I have Monday free so ill be firing for the very first time.
I cant wait. I am a little nervous though.
Any tips for first time firing?