DIY Installation of an Exterior Vent for our EnviroVent 2 Kiln Vent

In this video we install an exterior vent for our EnviroVent2 kiln vent. We core drill a penetration through the exterior wall and install a weather sealed exterior vent with rodent and insect guard.
Unaffiliated vent link: skutt.com/ceramic-kilns/kiln-...

[@phyllisnewsom3147]

Wow. Amazing. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@LeahPollock-ks2yj]

Why did you do the 3 to 4 inch conversion? I also can't seem to find a firm tube style of exterior vent like yours. Can you provide a link?

[@LeahPollock-ks2yj]

Why did you choose to do a 4 to 3" conversion? Do you have a link to the exterior unit you purchased?

[@ahandatwork1767]

The 3" to 4" conversion was because the fan that we purchased had a 3" output, but most standard dryer vents in our area are 4". I picked up the exterior unit at Lowes or Home Depot, so I don't have a link. Good luck!

[@LeahPollock-ks2yj]

Also, how do you use a laser to translate interior vs. exterior. I'm lost.

[@ahandatwork1767]

I put the laser just outside of the garage. I lined up the laser on the exterior where I wanted the vent on the side of the house and then marked that line on the front of the garage. I then moved the laser so that it would shine on the front of the garage and inside the garage. Lined the laser up on my mark and then marked the inside wall at the same elevation.I really just did this so I could drill from the inside first and make sure I missed the studs.

[@sageymoodceramics]

Thank you for your video 😊, I just bought my very first kiln and also a vent system. The vent system did not come with a exterior vent hood, so I was wondering if I can just buy any at a hardware store( because of the high temperature, I'm worried about certain material will melt?) Do you recommend any special materials? And one more question, my vent has a plenum box with adjustable foot, there are no screws, do you think 1 hole in the bottom of the kiln is enough? ( kiln size 22" wide 18"high) - I saw a other potter having 2 holes in her new kiln, about the same size, but since the box is just pressed on the kiln, I'm thinking there is more airflow then on a box attached to the stand. sorry about my many questions, I'm just starting my pottery journey 😊 $500.00 $400.00

[@ahandatwork1767]

My understanding and experience after multiple firings is that the majority of the air flow comes from the plenum cup below the kiln. The actual hole in my kiln floor is only about 1/4" in diameter. The kiln lid has two 3/8" diameter holes in the top. The main purpose is to produce positive airflow through the kiln to vent the off gassing and keep a uniform convection through the kiln. The plenum cup is also drawing ambient air from the room through the plenum cup. So the majority of the air is much lower in temperature and by the time it leaves through the vent it is about as warm as a dryer vent. We used a standard plastic vent from Lowes and it has been fine. The air is barely warm when I feel it coming out. The number of holes top and bottom is typically recommended by the manufacturer for different sizes. The documentation I have indicates 1 hole in the bottom and two in the top for an 8-sided 22" (2.3 to 3.2 CF) kiln, but that may be manufacturer specific for the kiln and vent. I'm not sure.

[@sageymoodceramics]

@ahandatwork1767 thank you so much for your reply and for sharing your knowledge 😊. Looking forward of your future videos.....

[@thurstonpowell8687]

I don't understand how that vent system will withstand the extreme temperature of kiln exhaust gas?

[@ahandatwork1767]

The majority of the air flow comes from the plenum cup below the kiln. The actual hole in the kiln is only about 1/4" in diameter. The kiln lid has two 3/8" diameter holes. The main purpose is to produce positive airflow through the kiln to vent the off gassing and keep a uniform convection through the kiln. The plenum cup is drawing ambient air from the room. So the majority of the air is much lower in temperature and by the time it leaves through the vent it is about as warm as a dryer vent.

[@phennexion]

@@ahandatwork1767 Did you notice a longer time for heating and shorter time for cooling after installing?

[@ahandatwork1767]

Unfortunately, I don't know. We never ran the kiln before installing the vent.