Service manual

Basic Operation
Accessories
Ceramic Shelves & Posts
Shelves and posts
are fireclay that has
been fired to a higher
temperature than will
be encountered in
your kiln. Ware is
placed on the shelves.
Shelves can be
stacked using posts.
Glass Separator & Kiln Wash
Glass separator and kiln wash are mixtures of finely
ground minerals that will
not melt and fuse to
-
gether at high tempera
-
tures. They prevent glass
and ceramic glaze from
sticking to shelves and
the firebrick bottom.
The main difference be-
tween glass separator
and kiln wash is that the
separator is ground more
finely to leave a smooth
back to glass pieces laid
on the shelf.
As powders, glass separator and kiln wash have an unlim-
ited shelf life. Do not breathe the powder when mixing.
Note: CAUTION: If glass separator or kiln wash
contact a heating element, that element will burn
out in the next firing. NEVER apply glass separator
or kiln wash to the walls of the firing chamber or to
the kiln top.
Haik Brush
The haik brush is used to apply
glass separator to the kiln shelf in
a smooth, thin layer. The
smoother the glass separator, the
smoother the underside of the
glass.
Alumina Hydrate
Delicate silver or gold clay shapes may need extra support
during firing to prevent warping. Place these shapes in a thin
layer of alumina hydrate inside a small ceramic bisque bowl.
Do not breathe alumina hydrate.
Stilts
Stilts are points embedded in a ceramic base. The points
separate enameling and glazed ceramics from the shelf and
firebrick bottom.
Enameling Racks
Enameling is the art of firing glass onto metal. The metal
shapes are loaded onto a high temperature wire rack. The
enameled pieces and wire rack are loaded into a hot kiln,
fired for just a few minutes, and removed red hot. To load
and unload the rack safely, use an enameling fork.
The heating element under power is dangerous. Do not
touch the element with anything! Turn the kiln switch off
before inserting the enameling fork into the firing chamber.
Safety Glasses
Wear clear safety glasses
when cutting or chipping glass.
Wear firing safety glasses when
looking into a hot kiln, such as
when checking the progress of
glass.
Important Guidelines
The Clicking Noise
Do not be concerned if your kiln makes a clicking sound
during firing. Digital kilns contain a relay, which sends
power to the element. The relay clicks as it cycles on and off
to maintain the correct temperature. Manual kilns use an in
-
finite control switch that clicks as it cycles on and off.
Manual Kilns: The Infinite Control Switch
The manual kilns use an in
-
finite control switch. A bime
-
tallic timer inside the switch
cycles on and off to regulate
heating. The higher the switch
setting, the longer the element
stays on during each cycle. On
High, the element stays on
continuously. This is why the
clicking noise stops after the
switch is turned to High.
Check Thermocouple
You will find a rod, called the thermocouple, extending
into the firing chamber. Both manual and digital kilns use a
thermocouple. The digital controller senses temperature by
reading a small voltage from the thermocouple. If the tip of
this rod is pushed out of the firing chamber, the kiln will as
-
/5
Wear firing safety glasses and protective gloves.
The pilot light serves as the
pointer mark for the infinite con
-
trol switch knob. The pyrometer
shows temperature.