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New Kiln Questions


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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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!

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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) 

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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.

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