Nanbird Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 I've heard that new elements should be fired with the kiln empty the first time. Does anyone have any information about this? Many thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 Thats news to me-Seems like a waste of energy.When I replace a element I always fire a kiln load with it right away. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 I was told by a kiln company tech man years ago that firing in an empty kiln with new elements allows a protective coating on the elements to move to the outside skin of the element. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 Marcia Would not this also happen with pots in the load as well? I may see a bisque off gassing but how about a glaze fire? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 There are out gases from the clay and glazes in bisque and glaze firing..good example would be manganese fumes. Just repeating what I was told by a kiln company techie many decades ago. I have always followed that rule. I just take it up empty to a high bisque temperature. If it seals the elements for one empty firing I am happy. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 New elements should be fired once with an empty kiln to allow a protective layer of oxidation to build up on them before the more corrosive fumes from the clay and glaze have a chance to attack them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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