For Dkat - kiln vent openings

Yeah, we call those peep holes and only use them for checking the cones (or at least everyone I know treats them that way). Venting is done with holes drilled into the bottom of the kiln and then a fan pulls fumes out through these into a venting hose that directs the fumes outside of the enclosed space to the outdoors. This is what the manufacture recommends. The manufacture warns against leaving the peep holes open as it causes cold spots plus you don't want the fumes inside the room. Many years ago, before we had venting fans we ran our kiln with the lid open a tad until it was past a certain stage but the kilns were outdoors... Don't know what folks did that didn't live in sunny California. We were much more casual about safety then as well.

Thanks for letting me know. I can at least see that we are talking about the same beast even if we do use it differently. How have things been going? I have to get up off my backside and mix some test glazes and then start doing the hard part of glazing. I have avoided this as long as I can. I should throw on the heater and just go bite the bullet (I hate being cold). Maybe a glaze of wine beforehand....

Donna