Olympic DownDraft gas kilns can be built with either brick or fiber walls. Fiber walls are chosen when faster heating and cooling times are needed and the brick walls are chosen for slower heating and cooling down rates. The frames of the Olympic DownDraft models are built of heavy angle iron and metal tubing and the thickness of the kiln walls contain 4 ½” insulating brick, 1” ceramic fiberboard and 1″ air space created by the tube frame. The binder in the ceramic board insulation will emit an odor during the first firing. This is normal and will not occur after the kiln has been fired for the first time.
In addition to the front loading DownDrafts, Olympic builds DownDraft Car kilns. The car kilns include a heavy gauge iron track for rolling the kiln floor and door in and out of the kiln chamber.
Downdraft Gas Kilns
Downdraft Gas Kilns
Downdraft Gas Kilns
DownDraft Gas Car Kilns
DownDraft Gas Car Kilns
Downdraft Gas Kilns
DownDraft Gas Car Kilns
Downdraft Gas Kilns
DownDraft Gas Car Kilns
Downdraft Gas Kilns
DownDraft Gas Car Kilns
Downdraft Gas Kilns
The floors are built with double insulated floors consisting of brick and ceramic fiberboard. Stainless steel covers the exterior walls for durability.
This additional strength and insulation created by the thick walls and floors enable Olympic DownDrafts to fire at high temperatures and to maintain temperatures without damage or deterioration. The roofs of the DownDraft gas kilns are designed with bolt-in pyro-block modules for energy efficiency and easy repairs. The exhaust and intake are located at the bottom of the kiln and require a stack or chimney to induce enough draft to pull as much fresh air as needed for combustion.
Olympic DownDraft gas kilns are built with high efficiency venturi burners located underneath the kiln chamber and have the option of placing the burners on the side of the kiln chamber when the kiln is under construction. An alternative to the venturi burners are forced air burners. All DownDraft models fire to cone 10, 2350° F.
Custom DownDrafts and Car DownDrafts are available upon request.