Comments on: Electric Kiln: Actual Energy Consumption

By: Jesse Hull

Jesse Hull — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:20:26 +0000

Fredrickson’s level of experience is certainly something I aspire toward. I remember my University Professor being super charged when the school got one of his electric kilns. -And Del Regno’s ideas to overcome the hurdles with using microwaves to heat ceramic sounds like genius.
Not discounting the positive environmental impact, I actually look forward to seeing what effects it could produce in terms of the glaze –it has to be different.
I’m also curious how they plan to get around the limits of: “microwave for 1 minute, stir, then microwave again”. Maybe I should hold on to my fire resistant RAKU jacket, eh? -sorry, just joking

In terms of the electrical consumption (off-peak/peak) of my kiln above –as soon as I’ve taken enough measurements, I’ll be sitting down with a rep from the local power company to hash all that out. It may change the way I choose to fire, be billed, or both.
Of course, that info will be posted here as well…

~jesse.

By: Mark Cousino

Mark Cousino — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:47:04 +0000

In keeping in the “green” type of mindset, I have been asking around about how we can curb our hunger for energy. I feel all potters should be an innovative and positive force of change in this movement.
::steps off soapbox::
Currently I have heard some interesting facts concerning the Price of electricity from a brilliant and humble man, Freddy Fredrickson . Could you elaborate about the difference between “off-peak” and “Peak demand” pricing? And about what are the pros and cons of each?

PS: Alfred just received government money to research microwave kilns. I’ve heard whispers of only using 1/10 of the energy, temperature measured on the pot, and extremely fast firings. keep your ear on that.

By: Dean Styles

Dean Styles — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:19:43 +0000

I am new to the field and attempting to make electrically conductive ceramics, so I need to build my own test kiln. Your site has given me real (i.e. numerical) information on kiln construction.

Thanks

By: Sherry Pence

Sherry Pence — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:51:49 +0000

You are right! When I get back I will have to finally take the plunge and go cone 10 and higher!

By: Jesse Hull

Jesse Hull — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:16:29 +0000

Thanks Sherry,

After seeing how inexpensive it actually is, do you think you’d ever want to try firing a bit hotter than ^5-6, just to see what you get?
Maybe after you get back from Korea though, huh?…

~jesse.

By: Sherry Pence

Sherry Pence — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:18:14 +0000

Jesse,
This is great information and much less expensive than I thought! I have tried to figure this out many times on my own…but nothing like this. I would be interested to learn more. Now that you have a close idea how much electricity you are using, you can factor in the cost of the elements, materials and time. Extremely helpful!