| Kilns for ceramic, china and glass |
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Electrical wheel for ceramic Established in 1984 |
| Kilns for ceramic, china and glass |
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Electrical wheel for ceramic Established in 1984 |
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The decision to purchase a kiln is usually preceeded by a series of considerations of a financial, practical and technical nature.But beside such rational considerations, there are other reasons that motivate an artist or a craftsman to buy a kiln, which are directly connected to the fascination of being able to follow and intervene in the final phase of the creation of the object previosly shaped, turned and decorated.Many every day objects can in fact be transformed by the potter’s crativity. The simple coffee cup, for example, is baked in three phases. A first baking will harden the mixture; it will then be covered by an enamel which, when baked at hight temperature, will produce a white polished surface. The third baking phase is necessary to fix the decoration onto the polished surface. |
By looking at objects with a more careful eye, one notices that many glasses and plates are decorated with gold or other enamels that require high temperature baking. Although this baking process can be carried out by a professional workshop, only a small kiln will guarantee high quality results as it allows temperatures to be regulated according to the type of decoration applied instead of compromising for an overall average temperature. Apart from these traditional methods of working, new techniques have now been developed for different types of baking procedures. Glass fusion, for example, which can produce truly beautiful shapes and objets, requires specific baking cycles that only a personal kiln can offer. Through such innovative techniques one can produce lamps, plates, tiles, nick nacks and a as many different objects as one's imagination can create. |
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WHAT SIZE KILN ? Choosing a kiln often involves comparing its cost with the capacity of the firing chamber. Some kilns offer a more effective employment of their internal volume than others. Kilns of limited capacity are usually round based and loadable from the top. There are kilns however, that allow a better employment of the internal volume than others; all W.L.F. kilns have a square based firing chamber, the same as used by professional potters, which proves that this is the shape which makes the best use of the space.The long, straight internal walls are assembled by means of a procedure patented by DISEGNI & C which avoid structural leasions in the event of drastic variations in temperatures, essential when carrying out particular baking cycles (for eg., glass fusion). |
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HOW MUCH DOES BAKING A PIECE COST ? |
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With equal quantities of energy being employed, the more economical kiln is the one which offers a greater capacity. The W.L.F. 3000, with a maximum power of 3 KW, has a capacity of up to 66 litres. For higher items, it is possible to add an extention beside the one already provided when purchasing the kiln, which increases the employablr internal volume to 89 litres and the internal hight to 46 cm. with no need for extra power. This extremly positive result indicates a high thermal output, which means that the kiln exploits to the full the energy supplied with minimal dispersions. |
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A simple way of establishing whether purchasing a kiln is financially convenient, is to compare the price of baking one single item with that charged by professional potters. Simply note the number of KW indicated by the meter before and after the baking process and multiply this figure by the cost of each KW, which is variable according to the kind of contract stipulated with your local electricity board. To know the cost of one item, divide the total figure by the number of items baked. |
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DO ELECTRIC KILNS CONSUME MUCH ? |
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Electric kilns used in the homes of hobbyists and in craftsmen’s workshop are almost always the element thast absorbes most of the electrical power. It is therefore essential that the maximum power absorbed does not exceed the power supplied by the electricity board. However, for the craftsman or hobbyist who is only interested in baking small batches of objects, the composable W.L.F. kiln allows one to assemble the firing chamber according to the required capacity without having to waste power by heating unused space |
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ARE ELECTRIC KILNS SAFE ? |
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Using any type of kiln requires a series of precatuions. It is therefore advisable to place the kiln 30 cm away from walls and to keep it at a good distance from curtains, paper, plastic and easily inflammable material. It is also advisable to place the kiln on a non-combustible floor or to isolate it from it. The latter should also have an effective earthing system. W.L.F. kilns are also supplied with a device which will automatically disconnect power to the resistances once the lid of the kiln is lifted, thus avoiding electric shocks. Our kilns are certified by the Italian Agency A.N.C.C.P. (Reg.CEE n.0302). Whe dont use ceramic fiber.
IS IT DIFFICULT TO USE A KILN ? Many beginners are anxious about the complexity they believe is involved in using a kiln. In fact, using a kiln is very simple and by using the thermocomputer and by following the enclosed instructions it is possible to limit initial intervention to the rotation of two knobs since the whole baking cycle is automized. Any limitation to artistic creativity is therefore only in the mind, not in the kiln. |
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