●FX kilns have built-in preprogrammed soaking: thumbwheel slows down automatically as
temperature increases employing a patented digital feedback technique.
●FX kilns have an automatic voltage compensation circuit to help even out results when your
house voltage varies during operation.
●FX kilns have a room temperature compensation circuit. For instance, cold room temperature
cause the thumbwheel to turn up slightly faster to cause the kiln heating to be constant from firing
to firing.
Firing Glass
Glass is very sensitive to variations in temperature of only a few degrees. We strongly
recommend that you use a pyrometer to measure temperature when working with glass. Glass
must be allowed to pass through the lower temperatures slowly to prevent shattering, then it may
be fired rapidly up to temperature (firing rapidly at this point helps preserve colors). Glass softens
quickly once the critical temperature is reached and sagging begins (usually approximately 1500
°F for glass slumping); it is wise to check it often at this point (at 10 minute intervals) and when it
has slumped properly, turn off all switches, crack the lid at the lower lid prop position for up to
ten minutes to prevent over-softening of the glass, then close the lid and allow to cool completely.
Glass is slumped onto terra cotta molds dusted with whiting (calcium carbonate) to prevent
sticking. Be sure to read the glass loading section.
For firing glass (slumping or stretching):
STEP 1 Set lid at lower lid prop position
STEP 2 Set thumbwheel to “1” and speed control to manual. Fire to 700 ºF (approximately one
hour)
STEP 3 Close Lid and turn thumbwheel to 9.
STEP 4 Fire to approximately 1500 °F, checking at intervals for proper slumping.
STEP 5 When proper slumping is reached, turn thumbwheel switch to “▲” and timer to “off,”
crack lid at the lowest lid prop position for up to ten minutes.
STEP 6 Close lid and allow to cool completely.
The standard firing schedules given above may be varied when necessary, depending upon
individual circumstances. If your voltage is high and your kiln is firing too rapidly, or if you are
firing an extremely thick, heavy piece and you wish to fire very slowly, you may use a slower
firing by leaving thumbwheel on “1” and just turning the speed control to “E.” This will allow the
power to gradually increase to higher settings for a slower less heat shocking firing schedule.
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