deHues Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 My new L&L 6.8c.f. kiln has been shipped! Thank you Neil Estrick. Now I am overflowing with questions. 1. Do I fire my first test firing with just shelves and posts? Or can I add test tiles to bisque? Or can I do a whole bisque in the first firing. 2. I built these test tile holders with the help of Bob Coyle after I saw them in a post of his. I am experimenting with different sizes to fit nicely on the shelves. Should I bisque fire the tiles in flat piles like in the front of the holders, and how high a stack can I pile them? Then I will glaze fire in the holders. I don't want them to warp in the bisque, but say they were 5 high...would the middle tile be discolored from being sandwiched between the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Your L&L will come with a very comprehensive and informative user manual; don't be shy about becoming friends with it. For your first test firing, shelves (with kiln wash if you chose to use kiln wash) and posts -- no pottery. Just follow the instructions in the user manual. The first/test firing is to burn off the protective coating on the elements. For your test tiles, bisque them in stacks of how every many you want to -- 5, 10, 15, etc.; the middle ones will not become discolored or be underfired because of the height of the stack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 I love my L&L manual. Yes, I do. r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 congrats! you will love your kiln for a loooooonnnnnnggg time. great test tile firing rack! you might want to enlarge the holes if you plan to hang them. glaze will fill those holes up each time. use the tubular thing from the pottery store, the middle size one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deHues Posted August 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Thanks for the answers. I pulled out the pdf and am reading it from the beginning. One safety issue was to not wear loose clothing near the kiln. I'm glad I saw that because that is the type of clothing I wear except when throwing. Glad to know that I can stack test tiles. Great suggestion to get the hole making tool. No more spinning the fettling knife, I like that. Now question #3 Is there an inexpensive gage that can go on the kiln or the fused disconnect box that will tell me how much the firing is costing? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Hertzfeld Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Don't worry the utility company has a nifty way to tell you how much... O.o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 you could read your meter from beginning to end. The read it at the same time on another day while normal appliances are running and deduct those. Check your bill when it comes to see the price of KWH kilowatt hour. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Firing Cost In your manual, in the 'Operation' section, are directions for the first firing in your kiln. You will be doing a Slow Bisque to cone 5 with a 3 hour preheat. This long, slow firing will season your elements and bricks, and set the mortar in the lid and floor. No need to put any furniture in the kiln- just leave it empty. After that you're set to fire some pots! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Now question #3 Is there an inexpensive gage that can go on the kiln or the fused disconnect box that will tell me how much the firing is costing? Thanks Your programmer may have a button that tells you how much kw it has used. Both my own kiln and the one at the centre have this feature, and the programmers are from different manufacturers. (UK) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 L&L kiln controllers do not have the kilowatt usage function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 I always think of a kiln load costing about $10. $6 for the firing cost in my case and $4 for the element replacement every 100 or so firings. Even if yours is a few bucks more or less electric is the cheapest way to go and once you factor in a kiln load of ware it is pretty cheap on a per piece basis. I do get that in some high cost electric areas you might ant to change the time when you fire somewhat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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