Kiln Shelves And Stilts

[Lana]

How much space or what size of stilt should be between the bottom of the kiln and the first shelf?

[Min]

For an electric kiln 1/2 to 1†up from the floor but not so high that the shelf blocks the lowest element on the sides of the kiln. 

 

Welcome to the forums 

[Mark C.]

Mine is 3/4 or 1 inch-not sure its been to many years.

[Joseph Fireborn]

For an electric kiln 1/2 to 1†up from the floor but not so high that the shelf blocks the lowest element on the sides of the kiln. 

 

Welcome to the forums 

 

This is the key point. I read that you should put them at 1'', but if I did 1'' in my kiln I would be blocking the lowest element and it would be in the middle of my shelve. So I do 1/2''. 

 

I always put taller stuff on the bottom of my kiln if I can, try to put the middle full of the flatter items or shorter cups/mugs.

[Marcia Selsor]

mine is 1/2 -1 inch on the bigger kilns. I put the shelf on the floor in my test kiln that is 9 x 10 interior. I meant to add...my larger kilns have elements in the floor. I have rarely used them, but if I need to, I can do that with the raised shelf.

 

Marcia

[Benzine]

I have my bottom shelf raised up a bit more, because otherwise, the shelves always seem to meet, where the thermocouples stick out.  Having three thermocouples leads to very consistent/ accurate firing, but it also leads to a lot of careful planning, when loading the kiln...

[GEP]

If you are using an undermounted vent, then 1/2 inch to 1 inch is the right answer.

 

I use an overhead vent hood, which means I don't need air to flow out the bottom of my kiln, and therefore my bottom shelf sits directly on the kiln floor. That extra 1/2 to 1 inch of stacking height comes in handy all the time.

[Lana]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I really appreciate it.