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Loading your kiln

Before loading or unloading the kiln all switches must be in the OFF position(s) and power to the kiln disconnected. Contact with heating elements or other electrically conductive components within the kiln can result in electrical shock causing injury or death. Before loading or unloading the kiln should be cool, 135°F (57°C) or less to prevent burn injury.

For Evenheat brand Kiln Sitter equipped kilns, place the proper cone in the Kiln Sitter tube assembly.

Begin by placing 3 to 4 posts on the kiln floor. These posts will support a shelf and it’s best to use ½” to 1” for this purpose. These posts allow for proper air and heat circulation throughout the kiln and to help prevent serious damage and to the kiln floor in the case of an overfire.

Place a shelf on the floor posts, placing carefully to avoid contact with the kiln walls, thermocouple (temperature sensor) or Kiln Sitter tube assembly. Check for stability and reposition posts or add more posts if necessary.

Place your ware on bottom shelf. All ware that is placed in the kiln must be dry. Ware that is not completely dry may crack or explode causing damage to other ware, heating elements, firebrick or Kiln Sitter tube assembly. Slipcast greenware may be fired from several days to one week after pouring. Hand modeled pieces need more drying time, as much as a few weeks. Glazed pieces can typically be fired 6 hours after application. Consult with your materials supplier for guidance on proper drying time and procedures.

Most ceramic firings use multiple shelf layers separated by posts. To form additional shelf levels choose posts that are about ½” to 1” taller than any ware placed on the proceeding shelf. Use a minimum of 3 posts, with 4 being preferred. Once posts are placed, place in a shelf and check for stability and readjust or add more posts as necessary. Place your ware on the shelf.

When placing posts, shelves and ware in the kiln place them at least 1” (more is better) away from thermocouple(s) and Kiln Sitter tube assemblies. These components respond to temperature and you’ll want to give them room to operate. Kiln ware located too close to these components can negatively affect the response of these components. Give them room!

Repeat loading procedure for all remaining shelf levels. When loading is complete make sure that the lid or door will close without making contact with ware, posts or shelves. There should be at least 1” between all kiln ware and the lid or door. The kiln is now loaded and ready to be fired!