Morgan Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 (edited) I know this issue has been discussed a lot/before, and am totally used to this happening on older thermocouples but I am not sure I have ever seen so much flaking on brand new TCs on its first few firings. I did run these with empty kiln as suggested but I cannot believe how much of the flakes are getting into my glazes with so few firings under their belts. FWIW these are the cheapo type k and I do have the open type protection tubes. Edited September 13, 2023 by Morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 How are the thermocouples flaking on your pots if they're in protection tubes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted September 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 (edited) Sorry should have clarified...The tubes are the open ended ones, maybe they are not considered "protection tubes"? Somehow they are getting into the air of the kiln and landing on the pots. I know it is from that, as the ones closer to the thermocouples have more flakes that end up showing up in the final glaze. Edited September 13, 2023 by Morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 14, 2023 Report Share Posted September 14, 2023 How far back in the tubes are the TC set? Where did you get the thermocouples? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted September 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2023 (edited) I’d say they are fairly close to the end of the tube but certainly not even with it…when you put a finger on it you can feel the tip of the TC if you pressed it if that makes sense. These were replacements direct from l&l sales rep (who I also contacted and he verified the parts ). I also vacuum the kiln and tubes every firing or so. Edited September 14, 2023 by Morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 14, 2023 Report Share Posted September 14, 2023 You can set the thermocouples back in a little bit deeper. I usually go about 3/8" in. The worst thing that can happen is you'll have to do a slight thermocouple offset to compensate for them being further back, but I think they'd have to be quite deep for it to matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted September 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2023 (edited) Ok, cheers, thanks as always Neil! And I shouldn’t worry about the flaking/dust so early (under 5 firings). Still seems odd they would show corrosion that quick but maybe it’s always been that way I just wasn’t paying attention. Edited September 15, 2023 by Morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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