Come talk to me about kilns...

[SoupDragon]

We're trying to persuade our school to let the PTA buy a kiln. The head is dubious about the idea!

1. Would the same kiln fire clay as well as painted bisque (a la pottery painting)
2. Does it need a special "house"
3. how much do they cost to buy and run
4. What else do I need to know

Ta!

[waves]

kilns can fire a range or temperatures. you can use the same kiln for bisquing (firing dry clay to bisque) and for glazing.

you need to get heat proof material for the surrounding walls etc

you need a 'hood' like an extractor over it as well.

not sure about cost though. all i konw is htat it's more than i can afford right now!

I'm not spending my money though Have to say I have a sneaky little hope that I'd be able to use it for personal use though!

Thanks BTW. I know nothing about kilns whatsoever. Where would we buy one from? Are there different types? [ignorant]

there are lots of different ones. i suspect you'd probably wnat electric as opposed to gas.

there are different sizes/shapes/temps/brands

what are you plannig on using it for?

tips for choosing a kiln

Um... I think mainly to fire clay models the children have made rather than using that dreadful air drying clay. That way, they get something that looks nice rather than something that is crumbly and kind of hairy! Obviously would need to do glazing as well.

Yes, I would imagine electric would be preferable. It's a large primary school (3 form intake plus 2 nursery classes) but space to house it may be an issue - who knows, we may have to build a hut for it!

I knew someone on MN would be able to help

not much help i'm afraid. it's been a fair few years since i even used a kiln.

i think there is someone else who is a ceramicist as well but i can't think of who.

Oh, you're more help than my complete lack of knowledge! I promised the PTA chair I'd research it and then realised I knew chuff all.

SoupDragon - have to declare an interest here because this is a friend of mine, but you may like to try here: www.heskethps.co.uk

If you do, ask for Chris - she is the owner and a potter herself. However, she also teaches in schools (as well running children's classes in her studio). IIRC she has supplied many schools with kilns, will give good advice and can help with initial training etc if you get the go-ahead. I don't know where in the country you are, but don't be put off by the location - there are few specialists and she therefore covers a large area.

All we need to do is persuade the head it's a good idea. She won't let us have a swimming pool!

Am pretty sure no child has ever drowned in a kiln - if that helps!

Disclaimer - Unsupervised children and kilns DO NOT mix.

It was the running costs of the pool she was concerned about. I think this may also be her concern about the kiln... Either that or she doesn't want us to spend the PTA money on anything.

True.

I so want the to buy me the school a kiln!

you're about as far away as you can get