Highest safe temp to open kiln

[plumcreative]

We Hi all.

Can someone tell me highest safe temp at which I can open kiln.  I need to cool it as fast as possible.  Note: There is only a test object in kiln and I don’t care if it breaks.  

I just want to know the safe temp for the kiln itself. 

(I know normally, to keep ware safe, I shouldn’t open hotter than around 150.)

Thanks

Amy

[neilestrick]

If you want an accurate test, then you should wait until it's as cool as you would normally open the kiln. 150 is lower than you really need to go IMO. 200-250F is safe. I open at 300F without any ill effects.

[plumcreative]

Thanks.  Have you ever heard of anyone damaging kiln by opening when too hot?

[liambesaw]

7 minutes ago, plumcreative said:

Thanks.  Have you ever heard of anyone damaging kiln by opening when too hot?

I can hear my bricks moving if I open before 300 Fahrenheit.

[plumcreative]

Here’s another question. My kiln is now still about 200F. Can I load it and start?

[liambesaw]

Yes

[1515art]

If you only want to know if you can open you kiln really hot, I’ve opened my 16 cu’ Alpine a couple times above red heat without any noticeable damage although I’d expect repeated thermal shock is harder on the bricks than gently cooling.  One time during a cone 6 firing I opened the kiln around 2000 F cooled it a bit and then refined to cone 6 producing some interesting effects on the items without any damage to the pottery and another time I used the big alpine to raku fire a piece that would not fit in my raku kiln, the only difficulty was the heat I had to endure pulling a 36 inch tall item with the large door all the way open was quite hot.

[Mark C.]

Opening a kiln while really hot just sortens the life of the bricks and furniture-they can take it (unless the shelves are advancers)

I unbricked a kiln at cone 10 once-distroyed the wares-it was 1972.My kiln -I learned never to do that again.

Nice to know the limits.

300 is safe enough.

[plumcreative]

Thanks