Can I convert a 3 phase kiln to single phase?
It may be feasible to convert the kiln from 3 phase to a single phase; it depends on the model. You may have to upgrade the wires in your kiln’s switch box to h...
Can Mayco's Creative Imagines be fired onto glass bottles? If so, should they be fired to full fuse?
Mayco’s Creative Images are blank decal sheets. You can print your own decals onto the sheets with an HP laser black and white printer. Creative Images are desi...
Can you heat polymer clay in a kiln? Or is the kiln too hot for polymer clay?
I would get a cheap toaster oven for polymer clay. The clay bakes at a low temperature but also gives off fumes. The inside of the oven can become coated over t...
Do you have any firing pointers for school teachers?
Maintenance men occasionally stand on a kiln to reach something. When your kiln is idle, keep a sign on the lid in English and Spanish: Do not stand on the k...
I have just been given an old A-88B Paragon kiln. Do you have an owner's manual I may buy?
Yes, we sell the manual. Please call 800-876-4328 to order a copy. Ask for the “A & B Series Instruction & Service Manual.” You can also download a free copy fr...
Please explain some of the sounds that a kiln makes.
We can often tell when something is about to fail on a car by the sounds it makes. Sometimes kilns give warning sounds, too. Here are some of the sounds that a...
There is a gap between the kiln and the lid near the hinge. Is this normal?
The gap under the lid at the hinge is normal. As the kiln heats up, the firebricks expand, which causes the body of the kiln to grow taller. The gap is designed...
There is rust dust on the floor under the front edge of the kiln. Is this serious? What should I do?
If you live in a humid area, kiln rust is normal. However, rust can usually be prevented by drying the ware more thoroughly before firing. Firing moist greenwar...
What basic safety guidelines do you recommend?
During firing, check the kiln from time to time. Observe the normal sounds that it makes and the length of firing time. Once you are familiar with the normal op...
What causes firebricks to crack?
We are accustomed to using products that stay new looking for years—cars, furniture, cameras. But kilns are different. The high temperatures they reach generate...
What is mixed into the clay to make porous firebricks?
Sawdust. When it burns off, it leaves holes in the firebricks for air insulation.
What is the difference between glass separator and kiln wash?
Glass separator and kiln wash are finely ground minerals that do not fuse at high temperatures. They serve the same function: to prevent glaze and glass from st...
What is the difference in the cost to fire a kiln in a warm room compared to firing in a cold room?
Room temperature has almost no effect on the electrical cost of firing a kiln. However, if your kiln is under a carport that has open sides, protect the kiln fr...
What is the K factor of a firebrick?
The K factor is a measurement of how fast energy travels through an insulating refractory firebrick.
Why does my kiln have a 1/2" hole in the center of the lid?
Ceramic pieces release gases and water vapor during firing. Venting allows these gases to escape from the firing chamber. The hole in the lid is designed to imp...
Why does my kiln make a buzzing sound?
A gentle buzzing sound from a kiln is reassuring because it means the elements are firing normally. On a kiln that uses relays, such as digital kilns, a louder...
Why shouldn’t you apply kiln wash to the underside of the lid and shelves or to the kiln walls?
Kiln wash is made of minerals that do not fuse at high temperatures. When applied to a kiln shelf, the kiln wash helps prevent dripping glaze from embedding int...
