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Fusing and Stained Glass Tips and FAQ's => Fusing Tips and FAQ's => Kiln Questions => Topic started by: Bluebell on August 25, 2015, 11:15:59 AM

Title: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: Bluebell on August 25, 2015, 11:15:59 AM
Hello Folks,

I really need your help and ideas please. 
I have had to recently move house and leave my studio (converted garage).  I have moved to another house with no outbuildings but I have a spare bedroom. 

I have a Skutt Hotstart kiln and generally use it once or twice a week.  I do have a few square metres of land next to the house, but it would need an awful lot of work to dig out the old tree stumps, bushes etc and level it off, put slabs down etc.  I thought about doing all of this and getting a metal shed (6ft x 4ft) to put the kiln only in and run a cable to the house, but then I was thinking that perhaps I could just use the kiln in the house????

Lots of questions come to mind i.e. is it safe?....could I operate it from the house if I did modifications?....should I be wary of fumes?....would it get too hot?....and I really need to act on this quickly as my glass fusing is my income!

I'd really appreciate any ideas, your knowledge, advice ad anything at all I should be aware of.

Many thanks guys!!! x
Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: Pat from Canvey on August 25, 2015, 12:13:52 PM
If the kiln uses an ordinary 13 amp plug, I can see no reason why you can't operate it in the bedroom.I used my SC2 in my dining room for many years with no problems. As a plus, some ambient heat might be very useful in the winter. The only time I get fumes when fusing in my larger kiln in the garage is when I've used kiln paper and an open window in the spare bedroom should take care of that if you have the door closed. As you've used your kiln previously in a garage, any fumes would be exactly the same in the spare bedroom. There should be do difference having the kiln on than if you run any other electrical appliance that is working properly.
Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: Bluebell on August 25, 2015, 12:20:09 PM
Thanks Pat.  I do use kiln fire paper every time I fuse and I suppose this is what I smell when the kiln is on. 
Not sure how toxic the fumes are from this, but yes, I would keep a window open and much as possible whilst firing.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: Fluffstar on August 25, 2015, 02:11:36 PM
Hi Bluebell,

I've got a hotstart too.  I have it indoors, on a mdf laminate floor about 20cm from a wall on two sides and a cupboard on the other, never had any problems and the wall isn't hot to the touch when the kiln is on. I've always had my kiln in the house and never had a problem with fumes, but I notice a temporary mild whiff when I've used thinfire (I don't bother with it anymore though, just spray the shelf with MR-97 every now and again which gives a much nicer finish and a clean release even with opals).  Nothing to really worry about though, but probably keeping a window open is sensible, although if I'm honest I don't bother.

As I mentioned in another thread, my fat cat sits underneath the kiln (beneath the base) when it's on... her belly is about 3inches from the base of the kiln and she seems fine, so it can't be that hot!  I know when she's been under there as she comes out with kiln brick dust all over her back and her smug warm cat face on.

(http://www.kathymather.com/Lampwork/2015/catkiln_1.png)   (http://www.kathymather.com/Lampwork/2015/catkiln_2.jpg)

Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: JKC on August 25, 2015, 02:12:46 PM
Hi Bluebell

You have to be careful where you situate your kiln, distance from walls etc.,  also if you are selling anything that you make it will more than likely invalidate your house insurance if you do it indoors.  I had to relocate my kiln etc the minute that I started to sell.

Janet
Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: Enchanted Cobwebs on August 25, 2015, 07:25:49 PM
Claude has 2 kilns both in the house. One is a paragon fusion 8 on the top floor, then he took over one of the bedrooms with kilncare pro fuser, right old job to get that up the stairs but the kilncare team are very helpful. We wouldnt win any house beautiful prizes as I also have a room for my lampworking with 2 more smaller kilns. Insurance is something to think about...but..for the fusing kilns stuff goes in cold, the kiln care one specially is highly insulated so its not even that hot on the outside when its on full blast. He has the kilns on stainless steel sheeting well away from walls. It takes 18 hrs to cool down to opening temp! The oven in the kitchen emits more heat.
Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: Moira HFG on August 25, 2015, 09:31:55 PM
Quote from: Fluffstar on August 25, 2015, 02:11:36 PM

my fat cat sits underneath the kiln......

How cute is that cat!!  :)
Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: ajda on August 26, 2015, 08:59:58 AM
Cool cat! (Or should I say warm cat?) I think she proves the point that a well-made kiln that's functioning properly isn't going to set fire to anything around it. We got our first kiln while living in a caravan and I was concerned about the flimsy plywood walls, so I cut sheets of fireproof plasterboard to line the walls and floor of the corner where it sat. Now we live in a house and have 3 kilns in a bedroom-converted-to-studio. We take care not to leave anything that might come to harm actually sitting on or touching the kilns, and there's reasonable ventilation in case of fumes from kiln paper, ceramics, etc.
Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: Lynnybobs on August 26, 2015, 12:05:16 PM
Love the kitty - they know where the warmest places to sleep are !
Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: Warm Glass UK on August 26, 2015, 12:26:32 PM
All the kilns that we sell (including the Skutts) are Certified CE compliant so are as safe as other household appliances like toasters, kettles etc. We would always recommend that you ventilate the area that you are firing in (whether inside the house or in a shed/garage). As can be seen from the safety data sheet here (http://www.warm-glass.co.uk/images/pdfs/products/Thinfire%20Safety%20Sheet.pdf (http://www.warm-glass.co.uk/images/pdfs/products/Thinfire%20Safety%20Sheet.pdf)), Bullseye Thinfire Paper is not hazardous or toxic and the smell is the organic binders burning off when the paper is fired. If anyone has any concerns about citing their kiln or using any of our products, please do call our Technical Department on 01934 863040.
Title: Re: Help !! Where can I put my Kiln???
Post by: balnakeilglass on August 29, 2015, 08:37:04 PM
I have my hotstart in the lounge - can't waste any of that heat! (And it is useful for putting the Christmas tree on at Christmas, when I am not using it). The larger kiln is in the workshop. I never use thinfire paper in the Hotstart as the smell from it burniing off is vile. I use Bullseye shelf separator instead and have never had any problem except occaisionally with white opal but distilled vinegar removes any residue.