Service manual
slightly. With every firing, be sure you are near the
kiln before the expected shut-off time.
Digital Kilns
The first time you fire a particular brand or type of glass,
program the controller for a higher temperature than the es
-
timated fusing temperature. Shut the kiln off when the glass
fuses the way you want. Make a note of the shut-off tempera
-
ture. For future firings, program the kiln for that rate and
temperature.
Manual Kilns
Shut the kiln off when the glass fuses the way you want.
Make a note of the shut-off temperature shown on the py-
rometer. For future firings, begin watching the glass 100° -
200° below the final temperature.
Annealing the Glass
The annealing range for most glasses is between
950°/510°C and 700°F/371°C. Cool slowly through this
range. Leave the top closed, rather than vented, during cool-
ing. This will slow the cooling enough for most projects.
Digital Kilns: If you need even slower cooling, program
a separate segment for cooling. See the kiln’s digital control
-
ler manual.
Manual Kilns: If you need even slower cooling, turn the
kiln on again for about 30 minutes while the glass anneals.
Use a medium switch setting.
Note: For safest cooling, leave the ware inside the
kiln until the kiln reaches room temperature. If you
remove the ware too soon, the sudden temperature
change can crack the piece.
Rapid Cooling of Small Pieces
To remove small pieces, such as glass jewelry, before they
have cooled completely, remove the shelf also. Leave the
pieces on the shelf until they reach room temperature. The
heat in the shelf will help prevent them from cooling too
quickly.
To remove hot ware from the kiln, turn off the kiln. Tilt
the kiln upward about 1” by lifting the electrical box. Care
-
fully slide an enameling fork under the shelf. Place the hot
shelf onto a large ceramic kiln shelf in front of the kiln. Wear
protective gloves.
Annealing Flame-Worked
Glass Beads
Glass is sensitive to breakage as it cools through the an
-
nealing range. This is approximately 950°F/510°C through
700°F/371°C. The larger the piece, the slower it must cool.
To safely cool flame-worked glass beads, anneal them in
your kiln using the optional
Bead Collar.
1 Place the Bead Collar be
-
tween the kiln and the
separate bottom. The kiln
top should be in place.
2 Digital Kilns: Program
the controller in
Ramp-Hold for the fol
-
lowing two segments.
(See the separate digital
controller manual.) If
your bead making session will be longer than three
hours, program a longer hold time in segment 1.
Rate Temp.
Segment °F/°C °F/°C Hold
1 1799/999 1000/537 03.00
2 400/222 700/371 00.00
Fire the kiln. When it reaches 1000°F/537°C, it will main-
tain that temperature for three hours.
Manual Kilns: Fire the
kiln with the switch on High. At
900°F/482°C, lower the switch
setting to Med. Then keep ad-
justing the switch to maintain a
temperature of 1000°F/537°C.
3 At 1000°F/537°C, the kiln is
ready to receive the bead
mandrels loaded with hot
beads. Allow a freshly fin
-
ished bead to cool slightly
before inserting. This is to
prevent the bead from flat
-
tening on one side when it
is placed inside the kiln.
Open the bead door. Insert the mandrels as you complete
the beads. Leave the door ajar with the end of the bead man
-
drel extending outside the kiln.
4 Digital Kilns: When you have finished the batch of
beads, perform a Skip Segment. This will end the
temperature hold and begin segment 2. The kiln will
slowly cool through the annealing range. Manual
Kilns: Turn the kiln off and let it cool slowly.
After the kiln shuts off, leave the beads in place. Do not re
-
move them until the kiln has reached room temperature.
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To look at the glass during firing, move the top slightly. Look inside
the kiln for a second or two. Wear firing safety glasses and gloves.