Stonethrownpottery Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 I have purchased and installed a used Paragon TnF kiln in my garage. I am ready to fire it for the first time and quite honestly I am nervous to fire it with pieces in it. I was thinking maybe I should kiln wash all the shelves that came with it and load them in the kiln and fire it with just the shelves first to make sure it is working properly. Any thoughts or tips or tricks???? Please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 A test fire, with kiln washed shelves, seems like a good idea. Include any available extra posts so you have some density in the kiln. I believe it takes three firings for a kiln wash application to cure, so your test, plus a bisque, and then glaze will do that task. If you don't have the manual, you can get them online at the Paragon website; follow the recommendation for a first firing in a new kiln. Be there at the start and for the finish of the firing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mregecko Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 There's generally no harm in doing this. It's recommended for new kilns or after a new set of elements have been put in to do an empty firing to a low temperature. (To help the elements form an oxidized coating) If you're nervous about the operation of the kiln, put in a low temperature cone (maybe up to a bisque, don't know what you're firing this to) and do a quick ramp up / down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonethrownpottery Posted September 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 I am aiming to glaze fire to cone 5 or 6...still trying to figure out what I am going to do for glazes! I have the manuals and some notes as to how the previous owner fired it. Now I just need to begin my relationship with my first kiln! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil J Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 I'd go slow at first in case there's excesive moisture in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 No harm in doing an empty firing. Or, put it on high, if the elements all glow after 10-15 minutes, go ahead and load it up and fire it. No need to fire on the wash before putting pots on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessicaGrayCeramics Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Doing a test firing is a great idea. However, as someone who has bought, used and rebuilt new-to-you kilns I need to strongly emphasize you should never leave a new-to-you kiln unattended until it has been tested. You need to make sure it fires off properly. I have never had a used kiln I purchased fire off properly the first time. The person you purchased the kiln from may say it works properly, but that is usually not the case. It is not safe to leave a used kiln until you know it works properly. I recommend watching the kiln for the entire firing at least a few firings. Make sure to watch the kiln, check the breaker or fuse box, wiring and wall if the kiln is plugged into the wall.You want to make sure none of these parts are getting warmer than they should. Be very cautious when first firing a used but new-to-you kiln. It may smell hot,but it should not smell like something burning. It is generally a good rule of thumb to always be around when firing a kiln for safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonethrownpottery Posted September 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Decided to load it and fire it. Fired this morning, I noted the temp. every 30 minutes and it was right on track w 300/hr and shut off right when it hit the cone 05 temp! I am pleased. Looking forward to opening it up tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindylu Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 Hi! Im in the same situation. I have a secondhand kiln and in my first time firing was in cone 6 but after 9 hours it doenst really work. Now I see the coments, I think I should firing in less temperature like cone 05. Sorry about my english Im from Peru Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 @Cindylu What is the max firing temp of your kiln? That temp, that is listed by the manufacturer is the high end of what the kiln will normally fire to. It will reach this temperature with new elements a few times, but after that it won't be able to do so, unless you put in new elements. So, most potters fire a few cones cooler, than their kiln's high end temperature. For instance, my kiln is rated for Cone 10, but I won't go over Cone 6 or 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindylu Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 3 hours ago, Benzine said: @Cindylu What is the max firing temp of your kiln? That temp, that is listed by the manufacturer is the high end of what the kiln will normally fire to. It will reach this temperature with new elements a few times, but after that it won't be able to do so, unless you put in new elements. So, most potters fire a few cones cooler, than their kiln's high end temperature. For instance, my kiln is rated for Cone 10, but I won't go over Cone 6 or 7. Is 1230 C° in cone 6!! I get it so maybe my kiln would be able to firing in cone 4 or 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted July 7, 2020 Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 7 hours ago, Cindylu said: Is 1230 C° in cone 6!! I get it so maybe my kiln would be able to firing in cone 4 or 3. Yeah 1230 C is right in between Cone 6 and 7. So you could still do functional wares at Cone 3 or 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindylu Posted July 7, 2020 Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 3 minutes ago, Benzine said: Yeah 1230 C is right in between Cone 6 and 7. So you could still do functional wares at Cone 3 or 4. Thanks a lot, tomorrow is the first test with cone 05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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