Electric to propane gas kiln conversion PART 1 - May 7th 2019 with Simon Leach

[@meredithpottery]

Really fascinating, Simon. Ot is so great to learn to think of following the flame and how to deflect it. I am in the early stages of building a brick raki kiln so I am very grateful to learn these things. Have fun, thank you and good luck!

[@BigSargeH]

Hello Simon, Thank you for sharing the method to starting this. Your design got me thinking why couldn't a person Extrude a chimney Flue and fire it in another kiln and cement it into the wall like a regular fireplace chimney is done.This would provide a much more stable chimney top to control the draft and temperature because you could install something like a BBQ style draft control once you reach your target temp.

[@coopart1]

Simon thanks so much for all you share! I have been up draft gas firing for almost two years with frustrating results. and just got a decent old kiln given to me about that size. going to replicate your design for down draft ! Cant thank you enough. YOU are a great teacher !

[@alandunnighan2159]

Im in the process of converting a kiln using your last videos. Just sorting the bottom shelf and the chimney. Hope to get it going in a few weeks if life doesn't get in the way. Always love your videos long may they continue.

[@juliofrausto4858]

Thank for the help Simon I see that you used 2 weed burners on your big kiln I have a kiln that is 27”tall and 23” wide can I get away with one hole. Or should I put two holes. I don’t think my kiln is not as big like yours. Im only trying to hit cone o6 on my firings.

[@kindredacre2464]

💜 thank you!!! Building a small one right with you !

[@pablofernandez9738]

Hello Simon! Can you tell me the thickness of the stainless steel sheet that covers the Kiln? Thanks😊

[@jordanbarnett7209]

So if you cut another slot and block off the chimney with a bit of shelf you, in theory, have yourself a reduction kiln?

[@ignaciorocca]

Hello Simon!! You are so practical yo explain that!! I am trying to make a gas kiln for raku and maybe I will use it yo high temperature if I can!! Any recomendation will be usefull!!

[@deepashtray5605]

It's feasible that you could wire up a single element for 30 amp outlet and use it for the initial drying, save on propane. Just have to make sure the element is compatible with 30amp and not overload your breaker... they do make them.

[@gracealzamora9774]

Thank you..Simon for this video , we converted our electric into gas to an, updraft the chimney hole is in line of the burner hole we get very uneven firings each shelf is a different temperature of a cone, ,PLEASE i would like to know how even heat are your firings are in the large kiln . Also what is the difference if the chimney opening is first shelf or bottom. we are going to build a new kiln ,, but not sure if to make it updraft or down draft ¿¿ please what is your opinion ?? love your videos

[@sleachpots]

My larger kiln is fairly even , just a bit hotter at bottom than top. I like a slight bit of variation for different glazes. Down draft is more efficient with less temperature difference top to bottom. Burner at bottom and chimney hole at top is not a good way to conserve the heat within the kiln as it just rushes straight out. A longer flame path is required to maximize the calorific value of the gas being burnt...an updraft kiln is easier to build but not such good fired results !

[@johncossette6166]

@@sleachpots my current small kiln is updraft.side burner.the bottom shelf is flush against the wall above the burner.the second shelf is flush against the opposite wall with the ,3 brick chimney flush to the wall above it.it fires about 1 cone diff with an octagon second shelf and 1/2 cone with a round second shelf if I take my time and let the kiln even out at the end of fire.

[@johncossette6166]

Can't wait to see how it fires, l also have a spare electric that I want to convert to down draft and it looks to be the same size as your one.,.

[@sleachpots]

Go for it ! ( weed burners from Harbor freight)

[@johncossette6166]

As soon as I get back to California,already have one converted but not as downdraft.

[@texasgemtree]

I don't understand up and down draft. Will watch the video again.

[@SantasWorkshop1964]

Hello Simon, never had tea ever in my life but would like to know what kind of tea you sipping on there? I'm tired of coffee . Great videos,glad I found you .

[@ceramicfish4934]

Thx for your videos Simon. I'm ready to build my own converted kiln, but wonder what you use for glue. I was planning to mix kaolin and broken up kiln brick pieces with enough sodium silicate to make a paste. Is that any where close to what you use? Thx for any insight.

[@juliofrausto4858]

Hi Simon what of type of cement do you use the kind you buy at ace hardware for a fernes?

[@sleachpots]

No it’s not high enough temp, I make up from brick dust, fireclay, talc, sodium silicate to bind it all together, it’s a bit hit and miss but generally works.

[@freddiemoretti8456]

You are having just too much fun! What size did the final hole end up being? If I didn't live in one of those old folk gated communities......wondering if I could pass it off as a barbecue pit. Thanks for sharing!

[@zachwebb8527]

Hello Simon you're videos ate very inspiring, if only I could find a good kiln

[@sleachpots]

Craigslist for your area !

[@debajit1975]

Thank you sir for sharing this video.

[@douglasfur3808]

I'm curious what pressure these weed burners use and what size rank you need to fire a glaze load?

[@Floreypottery]

Curious how are you cutting angles in your carbide shelves I plan on working on mine this month to get her goin

[@juliofrausto4858]

And I was wondering if I can use the brick from another kiln

[@sleachpots]

If it all ties together nicely and is the soft high temp type of brick you could use other bricks.

[@desertblbuesman]

Hey thanks Simon!

[@AnLe-yg9ln]

Can i use this kiln for cone 10?

[@SetGozo]

I see you have the same tweety bird that talks back to you everyday.

[@sharonbryant2547]

Hey Simeon how is this conversion going to be different from the one you did 8 or so years ago?

[@sleachpots]

It is a smaller kiln, only uses one burner not two and it is different internally. Also easier to convert than the bigger one with the two burners.

[@gabrielezimmerman9146]

@@sleachpots I'm wondering why the change from the external flu in your 2010 videos, to the internal one on this smaller kiln? Any particular reason?

[@sleachpots]

@@gabrielezimmerman9146 The internal flue set up is more efficient basically, even if there is a slight sacrifice of kiln packing space. Quicker to build too.

[@karrifox5225]

You could use the electric to get it most of the way to temp and then switch over to gas for the gas and reduction effects. Might be cheaper that way since gas costs more than electricity.

[@TWALSHmaker]

Where are you located, in the US you'll usually find that gas costs around 1/3 to 1/2 per BTU. www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/Services/Pages/natural-gas-electricity-cost-comparison.aspx?sa=mn&au=bus

[@texasgemtree]

Gas is way cheaper than electric here in Texas.

[@heavymetalmadman3533]

cool video

[@tonycstech]

Why ?

[@theezZENtials]

hatless yay!