CAUTION
Make sure timer is set to “off,” thumbwheel is set to “▲” and both pilot lights are off to
prevent any possibility of electrical shock and burns from the heating elements.
The insulating firebrick used in ceramic kilns is soft and fragile. Care should be taken to avoid
damaging the brick kiln liner when loading (or unloading) the kiln.
Make sure that any ware you put into your kiln is bone dry (not cold to the touch). If pieces are
hand molded, make sure that no air pockets remain in the clay. This causes small “explosions”
when fired, since air expands and the moisture turns to steam. Hollow out the solid pieces
whenever possible. Thick solid pieces can be fired safely only at very slow heating and cooling
rates. Solid pieces tend to crack and break more easily during firing than hollowed pieces.
Your kiln is designed to provide as uniform a heat as possible throughout the firing chamber. The
kiln should be loaded in a balance manner; mix heavy pieces and light pieces. When firing in
steam load, light and heavy ware should be alternated on the same shelf and distributed
throughout the kiln to help the kiln heat evenly. This will assure that all pieces receive the same
heat treatment.
Your ware will fire more evenly if you allow for sufficient air circulation around pieces. If it is
necessary to place pieces on the floor of the kiln, it is recommended that you stilt them to allow
for air circulation underneath. It is best to fire with a shelf at least ½” off the floor of the kiln.
●Never place ware closer than ½” from the elements in the kiln. One inch or more is preferable.
Place large, flat pieces that take up the full width of the kiln so that their edges are between
element grooves. This will prevent the edges from heating up before the center of the piece,
causing possible damage by cracking from uneven expansion. To prevent unstable objects from
falling during firing, use stilts to make sure they do not wobble. Take care that stilts will not
strain rims and other delicate areas. Clay supports (unfired) or Kaowool may be useful to
support ware as needed.
It is important to always place shelves so that there is at least one element groove between
shelves or between a shelf and the lid. This will allow each compartment to heat evenly up to the
proper temperature. KEEP SHELVES AND WARE AT LEAST ½” AWAY FROM ANY PART
OF THE KILN SITTER
®. WHEN PLACING POSTS, LINE THEM UP SO THAT EACH
POST IS DIRECTLY ABOVE THE POST BELOW (SEE ILLUSTRATION) TO PREVENT
STRESS AND POSSIBLE WARPING OF SHELVES. POSTS MUST RUN IN COLUMNS
THROUGHOUT THE KILN. See figure 6-1.
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