Evenheat KF or LB

Cowcatcher

Cowcatcher

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Nov 11, 2018
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I thought I had it all figured out and had decided to order an Evenheat KF18 with solid state drive and Rampmaster control. Then, I was searching and reading more around here and saw some folks talking about temp inconsistencies in the oven. I noted that some said to put the handle towards the back of the oven. So, I thought that's no big deal and felt like I learned something. Then, I went to check over the cart at the place I intended to order from tomorrow and I noticed the LB (long blade) model which doesn't have heating elements in the back wall. Hmmmmm, I said to myself, I wonder if that'd be a better choice. It doesn't cost much more money. Wonder if it takes longer to heat up? I'd sure appreciate y'alls input. Especially if you've got knowledge of both models. Looks like the LB also has a layer of metal covering the brick on the front door. If this has been covered somewhere I apologize but I sure couldn't find it.

Update: I ordered the LB
 
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Take this for what it’s worth, but I would highly advise to not go with evenheat. I have not personally used them but have a good friend that has one and he has burned through 2 controllers in the lest few months. After the first one he contacted them and thy basically told him to pound sand. He talked to another prominent knife maker and he told him that he had burned through a bunch of controllers as well. This other maker contacted evenheat in regards to my buddy’s oven. Thy agreed to work with him. This was the first time it went out.

The last time it faulted out was with the replacement. He had $1000 worth of mokume in it. The controller faulted out and ran off to 2350°. The mokume went liquid and ate a huge hole the size of a baseball in the bottom of his oven. The way thy are built makes it very hard if not impossible for your average home shop guy to rebuild it.

So I’m sure lots of people have them and thy work fine for them. But knowing someone personally that had 2 in a row fail makes me a bit uneasy about them. The rampmaster is what was failing. The tap controller is a fantastic controller and I ABSOLUTELY love mine. I built my own oven and got the tap controller from the manufacture.
 
I would also not purchase an evenheat.
I spent 2k+ on a kf18 with all the goodies. Upon testing it had a very bad heat variance with a hot spot in the back half. I mentioned it to the company, they were aware. Told me to sell my kiln second hand then purchase their LB model they released a month after my LB arrived.
I sold the kiln and built a verticle drum forge, my HT is now much more consistent than ever before.
-Trey
 
comet_sharp said:
I would also not purchase an evenheat.
I spent 2k+ on a kf18 with all the goodies. Upon testing it had a very bad heat variance with a hot spot in the back half. I mentioned it to the company, they were aware. Told me to sell my kiln second hand then purchase their LB model they released a month after my LB arrived.
I sold the kiln and built a verticle drum forge, my HT is now much more consistent than ever before.
-Trey
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Well , when once here I wrote that EH oven are joke I was almost banned :D For that kind of money someone can build ten times better oven . . .
 
Well y'all have dang sure made me question the way I was going. In all my research I never ran across any problems with EH aside from talk of hotspot in the back. Sure never heard of complaints with the Rampmaster. I guess I'll slow down and wait for more input.
 
Larrin said:
There is always Paragon if you believe the Evenheat anecdotes indicate a trend of problems.
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I'm gonna give em another look. The extra interior height had me leaning toward the Evenheat. But, I do like the look of the Paragon better for whatever that's worth.
 
I equalized my Evenheat KO at 50-100F over the aust temperature for 30 minutes. Put blades in then run aust temp segment. Oven will ramp up (from dropped) to aust, then rear chamber is probably 100-200F hotter than front. Once settle at aust temp, my measured temp delta between front and rear chamber about 25-50F. For long blades, I put tang in rather normal tip in.

Recently 2nd oven purchase, I did considered Evenheat LB 22.5 and Paragon Double Barrel 24. Pricing is about the same, so Paragon 24" length and steel case = I ordered the PDB. Even without rear element, front will still be cooler than rear chamber, so I will continue to equalize the oven chamber before aust/soak blades.
 
Wrap a layer of 1" Kao-wool around it. The 5'X2' piece from HTT&R sells for $36. You also may find refractory wool at your local pottery or boiler supply.

Cut the wool out around the controller, or move the controller out with stand-offs and put the insulation between it and the shell ( which is a good thing). You can also move the controller off the oven completely and mount it on the bench or cart.

I have used Evenheat for a good while with no issues. I know others with them who haven't had problems. Many issues with ovens end up being programming errors in the setup by the user.
 
I love my evenheat. I didn’t opt for the tap controller, the rampmaster or the Bill Burke upgrade, just the basic controller and I don’t regret it. So far I haven’t had any issues with it.
I couldn’t have built a kiln this nice.
I would go at least 22.5”.

I know a couple of guys with paragons and they had some major problems with heat inconsistency and they complained about terrible customer service. They were older models, but it was enough to scare me away from them.
 
I have the Evenheat 18 with Rampmaster...would like the longer version and no back element, but overall been very pleased with the kiln and have had zero issues in 4 years. I am strongly considering upgrading to the Tap control...there are several advantages, and at least for me, it is worth the additional $$$. I have heard that it has much less variation in temp since it checks the temp much more frequently that the Rampmaster, also the programming variables like stepped heating/cooling are available, and bluetooth/WiFi capability is a nice feature...my house is a couple hundred yards from the shop, being able to monitor the kiln from a distance would be nice.

I am sure you will be happy with the Evenheat and congrats on getting it....just thought I would share some thoughts.
 
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