CALDERA-S, Discontinued

China Painting    Decals    Dolls    Fast Firings    Glass Fusing    Low-Fire Ceramics    Porcelain and Stoneware   

Features

Paragon Caldera-S

Fire silver clay, china, ceramics, and glass in Paragon’s manual-fire Caldera-S kiln. Test for glass compatibility; test ceramic glazes. Fire rapidly to 2350°F/1287°C. With a separate top and bottom, the Caldera-S is stackable and completely portable. The Caldera-S comes with an infinite control switch, pilot light, and a large, easy-to-read 4 1/2” wide pyrometer.

Steel Stand, Stackable Design

The original Caldera and Caldera-S kilns were placed on top of four firebrick blocks. The new kilns now ship with a sturdy 2 3/4" high x 14" x 12 3/4" steel stand, complete with mar-proof rubber feet. With a separate top and bottom, the Caldera-S is stackable and completely portable. The kiln is easy to carry to seminars. Take it with you on vacation.

Rugged Construction

The Caldera-S is built to last. Elements are coiled from the finest high-temperature wire. They use heat-dissipating element connectors refined and proven over many years in Paragon kilns. Dropped, recessed brick grooves protect the elements for long life.

To strengthen the firing chamber, the firebrick corners are fitted together with L-shaped notches. This type of joint lasts longer than the butted joint and the "picture frame" mitered joint found on competitive brands. Rugged construction makes this kiln a little workhorse.

The Caldera-S switchbox is coated with a durable high temperature, water-base finish. This type of paint has the low emissions during spraying, creating a safer working environment for our employees and reducing pollution during manufacturing. The Caldera-S is proudly made in America to exacting standards.

The Magic of a Kiln

Imagine the glass you could sag, slump, and fuse in this kiln. Make small bowls, pendants, earrings, cufflinks, and even bracelets. Your friends will be captivated by the glittering beauty of dichroics that you fire in the Caldera-S. This kiln will give you a haven of creative enjoyment that you will especially appreciate when life gets hectic. The heat of the kiln is magical and offers wonderful surprises. Stained glass, enamels, and ceramic glazes undergo a complete transformation in the kiln. Opening a kiln to view your treasures is a festive moment that you will never outgrow.

The Advantages of a Small Kiln

You will never outgrow a small kiln. If you buy a larger kiln later, continue to use the small one for testing or small projects. Perfect a new design in the small kiln before running production quantities in the large one. A small test kiln is invaluable in solving ceramic glaze problems.

The Caldera-S in the Classroom

A Caldera-S is a nice addition to school programs. A switch-operated test kiln is relatively inexpensive. With the Caldera-S, students can fire gifts in time for a birthday or holiday instead of waiting until the school’s large kiln is full. A test kiln creates enthusiasm for a clay program. Students can test glazes while they feel the momentum instead of waiting to fire them in the large kiln.

New teachers inherit bags of unlabeled clay in their classrooms. Many loads of clay have been ruined because they were fired to the wrong temperature. With a Caldera-S, you can easily test unlabeled clay.

The Optional Glass Window

You can order your Caldera-S with an optional glass window in the top. The window is rated to 2300°F (1260°C), so it can easily withstand glass fusing temperatures. Please note, however, that the window reduces the kiln’s maximum temperature to approximately 2100°F (1148°C) and is meant for glass fusing. (You can still fire porcelain and stoneware even with the window, but you will need to plug the window with ceramic fiber.)

Expansion Collars

The basic Caldera-S is part of a kiln expansion system. Add a collar for annealing glass beads or enameling small copper pieces. Add 4 ½” of height to the Caldera with a Caldera-BC collar, which has a 7½” x 2” door on the side for annealing glass beads. The Caldera-X is the same type of collar, but without the bead door. Explore copper enameling with the 6 3/4” tall Caldera-E collar.

Caldera-BC Bead Collar

Caldera-X Collar

Caldera-E Enameling Collar

Warning for the Caldera-S Kiln Equipped with a Lid Safety Switch and Collar

The Caldera-S was intended to be a stackable kiln with a separate lid and bottom. However, the lid must be hinged to the Caldera-S body when a lid safety switch is installed. To stabilize a Caldera-S kiln that has a hinged lid, we attach the kiln body and kiln bottom together with two latches.

If an unlatched collar (enameling, bead, or extension) is mounted between the Caldera-S body and the kiln bottom, care must be taken when opening the hinged lid. Do not open the lid past 90 degrees (where the lid is straight up) unless the lid leans against a heat-proof support behind the kiln.

Please be aware when firing the Caldera-S with any collar in place, the maximum temperature is reduced. Enameling Collar – 1800°F; Bead Collar – 2000°F; Extension Collar – 2000°F

• 2 ½” insulating refractory firebricks
• Dropped, recessed brick grooves
• Louvered switch box, heavy duty wiring
• The Caldera, even with a collar, still fires to 2000°F/1093°C
• A heavy-duty steel stand (complete with rubber feet) is included with each kiln.
• A large 4 1/2” wide pyrometer

The Caldera-S can ship by UPS. Enjoy lower shipping cost and faster service. Specially designed cartons and foam padding assure that the kiln will arrive safely.

Specifications

Disclaimer: The specifications above assume that the kiln will be plugged into a dedicated circuit. Local electric codes supersede our recommendations.

The pricing and electrical specifications for the above products reflect their design for use in the United States. The International versions of most models will have variations in electrical specifications and price due to consumer safety requirements or electrical regulations.

Usages

Other Phases and Voltages

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