Q&A on the Raku how to DVD.

The following are some things that may answer questions you have. If not feel free to write me and I will try to help out.

I am having a problem getting temps over 1500 F.

About the only cause of this is a lack of fuel or air and possibly a need for more insulation however you can check the following for potential cures.

Try the following
. Make sure the flue is open. You cannot fire with the lids flue opening covered because you have no updraft which brings in oxygen through the burner and chamber. 
. If you are using a smaller BBQ tank make sure it has fuel and enough pressure left is you have used it much.
. Check your tank and make sure you have a good connection between the tank and the burner hose. Older tanks may need to be replaced because the valves are not functioning properly.
. If you are using a regulator like the ones for BBQ grills remove it. These do not allow enough line or burner pressure. If you are using a weed burner you do not need a regulator.
. Try placing the burner a little further outside of the burner port so it is drawing more air. The burner should not actually be "inside" the burner port.
. Your burner should be set so that it is blowing into the kiln at an angle so heat travels around the bottom of the chamber. Make sure you are not block the flow to much especially if you seem to have hotspots.
. The forced air that we use in our design is essential for high temps. You may not have a powerful enough blower. In my kilns I try to get as much air (oxygen) blowing or flowing as I can without the blowing out the burner flame.
. Check to make sure your blower hose is blowing into the back of the burner properly. Slight variation in the position can make a big difference.
. Check to make sure your gas bottle is not freezing up. If it is there will be frost around the top and on the valve.
. Your fire chamber is the space where your burner enters and from the floor to the bottom of the first shelf or layer of ware. This space needs to be at least 4 inches high to allow circulation of heat and proper combustion. You also need space between the shelves and the kiln sides so heat travels up well ... at least and inch and preferably a couple of inches. If you use the grill grate I suggest this is not a problem as long as the ware is night to close together.
. If you are using a small BBQ tank consider a larger one. Many people go for a 50 or 100 tank so they have more pressure and the fuel lasts longer. As fuel is consumed the pressure will decrease. With that said ... I only use the smaller 25 but I have 2 of them and switch off after 4 or 5 firings. 
. If you built a multi section kiln like I did you can fire with less height. The higher you go in the kiln design the longer it is going to take to fire it.
. If you are sure all else is working fine and you have used a refractory material for your kiln like Kaowool rather than our used kiln brick material you may need another layer of insulation around the chamber ... especially in the firing section above the burner.
. Check that you have the burner port and the flue holes cut large enough. The burner port needs to be a few inches larger than the burner could fill. I would first enlarge the burner port a bit and if that does not correct the problem then enlarge the flue so more air is going out.
. Unless it is exceedingly cold and windy the weather will not affect the firing so much that you cannot reach Raku temps.

I get a pop when I shut my kiln down. Is this normal?

No ... you are most likely not shutting down properly. I turn of the gas from the weed burner valve slowly THEN shut off the blower.

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