[Clayart] Cold Top hot bottom

[Dan Saultman]

I have had extensive conversations with Bailey's kiln specialist.
The results have been disappointing.
Gonna bring the target bricks closer to the flame ports.
Bottom of kiln may be stacked too densely. Will adjust.
Thanks.
Dan
www.saultman.com

> On Feb 12, 2025, at 2:51 PM, Vince Pitelka via Clayart <clayart at lists.clayartforum.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Dan - 
> A guideline I always went by was that the cross section dimensions of a
> downdraft gas kiln should be approximately square below the sprung arch in
> order to encourage even heat and atmosphere top to bottom.  I was startled
> to see that the Bailey 18/12 is ten inches taller than it is wide, according
> to Bailey's specs online, but that's probably to the top of the arch.  Is
> that right?  I'm sure you've talked to Bailey about the problem you're
> having.  What do they say?  At the Appalachian Center for Craft we had a
> Bailey car kiln a little larger than that, and it fired very evenly top to
> bottom.  
> - Vince
> 
> Vince Pitelka
> Potter, Writer, Teacher
> Chapel Hill, NC
> vincepitelka at gmail.com 
> www.vincepitelka.com 
> https://chathamartistsguild.org/ 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clayart <clayart-bounces at lists.clayartforum.com> On Behalf Of Dan
> Saultman via Clayart
> Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 8:08 PM
> To: Clayart international pottery discussion forum
> <clayart at lists.clayartforum.com>
> Cc: Dan Saultman <design at saultman.com>
> Subject: [Clayart] Cold Top hot bottom
> 
> I have a Bailey 1812 gas kiln.
> I fire to cone 10 - 12 hrs. Light redux.
> I have been moving my baffle brick closer but still top is not cone 10.
> Top of the kiln is cool - bairley 8
> New load coming.
> Need to get it working better.
>