mepetty60 Posted June 19, 2016 Report Share Posted June 19, 2016 Hi everyone, I am new to this site and I am hoping someone will be able to help me with my old kiln. I just got an Amaco EC 26 kiln made in 1975. I have never owned a kiln before so I am rather lost when it come to what to do next. The kiln has a listed max temp of 2000 degrees and I think that is on the lower side so I am not even sure it will be useful at all. In college I took some wheel throwing courses and I would like to get a wheel for my home. How do I test the kiln for safety and to make sure it works and if it works what type of clay and glazes should I get? Any help will be very appreciated. Thank you in advance, Melissa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mepetty60 Posted June 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2016 Also there are some cracks in the firebrick lining of the kiln. and little tiny bits missing here and there. Does that pose a concern for firing? I was looking into low fire glazed and low fire clay which seems to be readily available. My kiln does not have a place for a cone for auto shut off. how do I monitor the temp in there? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 It sounds like you have a lot to learn, probably more than we can effectively teach you in this format. If I were you, I would take a class at a local college, community college, or art center in order to learn more about firing. There's a lot to it. Your kiln is only suited for low fire work, and even then you're going to be maxing it out firing to cone 04. Chances are the kiln was made for enameling or other very low firing techniques. If you are handy with a multi-meter, you can check the resistance of the elements and check the system for continuity Other than that, you're just going to have to turn it on and see if it gets hot enough. The kiln should be on a breaker that is 25% greater than the draw of the kiln, and should be at least 18 inches from anything combustible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1515art Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 If this is your kiln it fires off a 120v 15amp so any normal household 20 amp circuit will be fine. Max temp is listed at 2000 F and actual max temp will depend on the useful life remaining in the coil elements, replacement coils should be available online. The kiln if operating properly can be used for anything that will fit inside the firing chamber that reaches maturity within the temperature limits... And while a little hard on the electric elements you could even try to raku fire small pieces, but your kiln probably is best suited for enamel or glass. Also, because your kiln will fire off any indoor 20 amp outlet don't be fooled that it is safe anywhere inside, use it only in well ventilated areas and keep the kiln a safe distance from any combustible items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1515art Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 Small cracks without any gap in the brick that would reduce the actual thickness of the insulation should not be a problem. Larger cracks and voids can be filled with a refractory patch material available at ceramic supply shops or online, the material comes in a couple of different application styles depending on your need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1515art Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 The front of the kiln has a peep hole, this kiln is fired by baby sitting (closely monitoring) the firing by visually observing the state of the object in the firing chamber during the firing process, monitoring pyrometers or, observing pyrometric cones placed within view of the peep hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVPottery Posted June 23, 2016 Report Share Posted June 23, 2016 Hi everyone, I am new to this site and I am hoping someone will be able to help me with my old kiln. I just got an Amaco EC 26 kiln made in 1975. I have never owned a kiln before so I am rather lost when it come to what to do next. The kiln has a listed max temp of 2000 degrees and I think that is on the lower side so I am not even sure it will be useful at all. In college I took some wheel throwing courses and I would like to get a wheel for my home. How do I test the kiln for safety and to make sure it works and if it works what type of clay and glazes should I get? Any help will be very appreciated. Thank you in advance, Melissa Im not clear on the model but based on temp it sounds like this is a glass kiln and not a ceramics kiln. 2000f is just shy of cone 04. You could probably get away with bisquing but thats about it. But with that said, Duncan sells some low fire glazes for cone 04-06. Their are some special clay bodies that mature at that low temp. Amaco and Laguna sell cone 06 clay. I dont think the clay will be good for much other than decoration. It will likely not be a very durable ware. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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