Kiln Elements

Kevin, Last year I fired my used (10 year old) kiln 58 times, half bisque and half stoneware (cone 6) and it hasn't slowed down a bit. Maybe you have a loose connection on (or to) one of the elements or something? Bisque in 4 hours, (Yeah I know, some say you shouldn't fire that fast) and ^6 in 6 hours. I am getting consistently good results so will probably keep my current techniques going. Tony

I have just used a new independent supplier for my kiln elements and from what he tells me, it all depends on the kiln you're using.. I have a Starworker hobby kiln which is supposed to fire to stoneware, but my only attempt resulted in smoke coming from somewhere so I decided to stick to earthenware. My new supplier told me that if I wished to fire to stoneware, I should up the power of the kiln elements from 16 to 20 amp and get it wired into the main electrical supply (bypassing the 13 amp fuse). In this way I could get at least 25 stoneware firings out of it, without damaging the kiln. As far as other firings, he said "How long is a piece of string". He also winds the kiln wire slightly longer than usual. Due to the expansion and shrinkage of the elements, he believes, allowing extra length caused less bulging, into the body of the kiln. He also makes special pins and lots of them for securely fastening the elements. On top of that, I saved approx 40% from my old big name supplier. Can't be bad!. As far as the usage of ITC 213 is concerned, he has no feedback to offer as it is a new concept in UK.

Hope it helps.

Hi,

Elements can be unable to get stoneware temperature, or it takes a long time (and you can use it normally to fire earthenware). Of course, verify connections, but take a ohmmeter and verify each element. You must diconnect the element and plug the ohmmeter on each extremity : it will give you the indice of resistance (if you've got a new one, try on it : you'll know the normal indice and compare). Ask me if you need more precisions. Personnaly, it appears to me some years ago with a kiln : elements were not broken and still worked correctly up to 1000°C, but it was almost impossible to get 1280°C.

Good luck and think that anyway time's comen to change your elements ;-)

Rémi

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