[Clayart] Not explosions, but burn outs.

[Antoinette Badenhorst]

It is interesting to read about all the kiln accidents. I had two electric
kiln failures in my lifetime. Both happened in South Africa.

The first one was in my own studio. The kiln was reinstalled by an
electrician. I cannot recall the exact specifications, but remember for
kiln installation, two wires that go into normal installations should have
been switched in the kiln. The electrician did not believe me ( obviously
so) neither did he bother to research what I was saying.

As an inexperienced potter I was not alerted when the kiln did not reach
the normal shutdown time and allowed it to continue firing. When I finally
realized something must be wrong and shut the kiln down, there was no need
for shutting it down.
everything inside was molten lava......kiln shelves, posts, pots, kiln
walls and elements!

My insurance at the time refused to pay out; saying there was no fire. We
fought it and were able to show flame marks on the ceramic tile board on
the exterior where the peep hole was.

Looking back on it, the only explanation that I have is my inexperience,
but then..... It happened a few years later again while I was running a
small production factory.

What amazes me the most to this day, is the fact that the fire stayed
inside both of those kilns.

-- 

Best wishes,

Antoinette Badenhorst



*PorcelainByAntoinette   <https://www.porcelainbyantoinette.com/#/>*

*TeachinArt* <https://www.teachinart.com/antoinette-badenhorst.html>

*International Academy of Ceramics*
<https://www.aic-iac.org/en/member/antoinette-badenhorst/>

*Mississippi Arts Commission
<https://arts.ms.gov/artist/antoinette-badenhorst/>*
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