Shannon,
I spend 90 minutes bringing up my furnace for the first pour of the day.
Subsequent pours take 45 minutes. I might be able to shorten these times,
just don't know if it will damage my element.
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: gingery_machines@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:gingery_machines@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Shannon DeWolfe
Sent: Sunday, January 02, 2011 5:45 PM
To: gingery_machines@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [gingery_machines] Re: My first casting
Brite,
I read on an artist's ceramics web site (sorry, it was months ago and I
don't recall the name of the site) about a guy who figured the cost to
keep his kiln running all the time. It cost him about a dollar a day to
keep it half heat 24/7. He brought it up to full heat in 15 minute steps
by halves. That is to say, 3/4 heat, 7/8, and then full. He stepped it
back down the same way. Why? Less thermal shock to the elements. He
claimed his elements were lasting a year at which time and he would
replace them as part of his planned maintenance routine.
I'm not suggesting you run your furnace all the time. But, you are on
the right track by being patient. Since the costs are so low, maybe
consider bringing it up to heat and stepping it down very slowly, like
24 hour cycles. You may find your elements live even longer.
Regards,
Mr. Shannon DeWolfe
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gingery_machines/app/peoplemap/view/map
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