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Kiln Pointers
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Monthly Firebrick Kiln Maintenance |
Monthly Kiln Maintenance 1. Make sure the kiln is centered on the stand and that the stand is stable. Remove flammable materials from around the kiln. 2. Vacuum the kiln with the brush nozzle of a vacuum. Remember to vacuum the brick grooves. If you have difficulty removing debris inside the grooves, use a narrow wand-type vacuum cleaner nozzle being careful not to scrape the brick walls. 3. Vacuum around and under the kiln: floor, shelves, and walls. This keeps the kiln interior cleaner and adds life to the vent motor. 4. Check the kiln wash on shelves and kiln bottom for cracks and bare spots in the coating. Remove any glaze drips. Reapply kiln wash if needed. 5. Check the power cord and outlet for heat damage. Has the cord touched the side of the kiln during firing? This will damage the cord insulation. Replace the cordset or wall outlet that shows signs of heat damage. 6. Make sure elements are not bulging out of the grooves. Repair if necessary. 7. Coat the inner lid surface and the top rim of firebrick with kiln coating cement after every few months of regular firing. 8. Kiln Downdraft Vent: Check the aluminum vent duct for leaks. 9. Digital kilns: Make sure the thermocouple extends far enough into kiln. (1/4” wide: 1”; 1/8” wide: 5/8”.) Kiln Sitter Maintenance 1. Use the Kiln Sitter firing gauge to calibrate the trigger every 20 firings. If you do not have a gauge, order one. 2. Remove and examine the cone supports. Replace if warped. 3. Apply kiln wash to the cone supports and end of the actuating rod. 4. Move the actuating rod up and down. It must move freely inside the porcelain tube. Please send other kiln maintenance tips if you have any that I haven’t listed. If you would like kiln tips on a particular topic, please let me know. Wishing you a great Halloween, Sincerely, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P. 2011 South Town East Blvd. Mesquite, TX 75149-1122 972-288-7557 / 800-876-4328 Fax: 972-222-0646 arnoldhoward@att.net / www.paragonweb.com |
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“Custom and standard Kilns and Industrial Furnaces for ceramics, pottery, heat treating, enameling, |
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