How to Use the Skutt Electric Kiln
Skutt is a leading manufacturer of kilns for both glass and ceramic applications. The primary physical difference is that glass kilns usually have heating elements in the top as well as the sides to generate more even heating. Functionally, ceramic kilns are capable of going to temperatures as high as 2300 degrees. Glass kilns usually have a maximum temperature around 1800 degrees. While some artists use ceramic kilns for glass work, the majority prefer separate kilns for glass and ceramics.
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Things You'll Need
- Skutt kiln
- Pottery to bisque fire
- Glass to fuse
- Kiln shelf
- Kiln wash powder
- Level
Instructions
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Vacuum the inside of the kiln. Mix kiln wash powder with water to achieve a mixture that is the consistency of light cream. Paint the entire floor of the kiln with the kiln wash. This is to protect the kiln floor and prevent glass or ceramic glaze that drips to the floor from sticking. Paint the kiln shelf with a haike brush to provide a smooth finish.
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Take at least two measurements with a level at 90-degree angles to ensure that the kiln shelf is level. Adjust the shelf, the kiln or the kiln stand to get the shelf level and recheck. Having a level kiln shelf is particularly important for glass work since the glass becomes a high viscosity liquid. It is less important for ceramics.
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Place ceramic items to be bisque fired on the kiln shelf. Make sure that they do not touch. Be careful that the multiple pieces are not subject to moving in the kiln. You can do multiple pieces of ceramics but it is not recommended for glass.
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Place the glass to fuse on the kiln shelf centered relative to the heating elements. Check to make sure that the individual pieces of glass in the lay up did not move when you moved them to the kiln shelf. Since the firing schedule is tailored to the design and lay up, do not fire multiple pieces of glass unless the designs and glass are identical.
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Program the controller to establish the firing schedule needed. Bisque firing ceramics will depend on the type of clay being used. Firing glass will depend on the type of glass and the characteristics of the lay up. Skutt's newer ceramic and glass kilns are both equipped with digital controllers although they are different units.
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Start the kiln's firing schedule from the controller. When bisque firing ceramics, vent the kiln until all the steam has escaped. If the Skutt kiln is equipped with a Envirovent 2 ventilation system use it, otherwise simply prop open the kiln top with kiln stilts or fire brick until all the moisture has been burned out of the pieces being fired (usually around 1000 degrees). If firing glass, no venting is required.
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Monitor the kiln's operation. When the firing schedules are complete, allow the kiln and its contents to cool before opening the kiln. Depending on the size of the kiln, this can take 24 hours or more. The alternative is thermal shock which might crack the ceramic, glass or damage the kiln.
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Tips & Warnings
Read your Skutt Kiln manual and understand how it works.
Contact Skutt's customer service department if you have any questions.
The Skutt kiln is a significant investment. Maintain it well.
Do not reach into a kiln while power is applied. Kilns operate with voltage levels that can kill you.
Vent your kiln to the outdoors if at all possible.
Wear a respirator when working with kiln wash in the powder form.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pottery image by Avesun from Fotolia.com
