kiln element life

How long could I reasonably expect my kiln elements to last. So far I have
fired
23 bisque firings upto 1000'C
12 eathenware firings upto 1150'C
18 stoneware firings upto 1265'C

I have noticed that at stoneware temperatures I have to be very careful not
to overpack the kiln otherwise it struggles to reach temperature in a
reasonable time. But I am sure its getting slower.

Thanks

Kevin

In article , Kevin Baldwin
writes
How long could I reasonably expect my kiln elements to last. So far I have
fired
23 bisque firings upto 1000'C
12 eathenware firings upto 1150'C
18 stoneware firings upto 1265'C

I have noticed that at stoneware temperatures I have to be very careful not
to overpack the kiln otherwise it struggles to reach temperature in a
reasonable time. But I am sure its getting slower.

Thanks

Kevin


It is a good idea to vacuum the elements every 6 or so firings; dust
from the movement of the kiln during firing and from the occasional
piece of bisque ware that lets go settles on the elements and can impair
their efficiency. Also each time an element is fired the poorly
conductive oxide layer on the surface of it increases by a very small
amount and the core of the element is reduced by the same amount which
also slows things down.

Steve
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK

Steve Mills wrote:


It is a good idea to vacuum the elements every 6 or so firings; dust
from the movement of the kiln during firing and from the occasional
piece of bisque ware that lets go settles on the elements and can impair
their efficiency. Also each time an element is fired the poorly
conductive oxide layer on the surface of it increases by a very small
amount and the core of the element is reduced by the same amount which
also slows things down.

thanks Steve, that's a good idea, never occurred to me. I have had my
kiln now for some 6 years or so, fire about 50 times a year, but only to
1120°C for the glaze firing. Sofar no problems, but i will vacuum it.

Monika

--
Monika Schleidt

www.schleidt.org/mskeramik
(If you wish to send me a mail, please leave out the number after my name!)

Kevin,

I expect to get at least 100 firings, sometimes as many as 180 before I
think it is worth changing elements because it is taking too long. I am
firing a Cromartie CTL 75 a mixture of biscuit to 1000 and then a
variety of glaze firings, mostly to cone 6 but quite a few to cone 8 and
a few to cone 9.

I presume from your email address that you are in the UK where the
nominal voltage is 240. However, there is quite a range as we are
'harmonized' with the EU. It can easily be 230 and within the approved
limits. When I order new elements I specifically state that they are
for 230 volt usage. It has made a big difference to the economic life of
the elements.

David
In article , Kevin Baldwin
writes
How long could I reasonably expect my kiln elements to last. So far I have
fired
23 bisque firings upto 1000'C
12 eathenware firings upto 1150'C
18 stoneware firings upto 1265'C

I have noticed that at stoneware temperatures I have to be very careful not
to overpack the kiln otherwise it struggles to reach temperature in a
reasonable time. But I am sure its getting slower.

Thanks

Kevin



--
David Hewitt