TABLETOP KILNS I've received lots of letters asking my opinion about annealing beads and fusing glass in table top kilns. I love them!!! These little kilns are just right for fusing the jewelry components. First the good news; these kilns go from 0° to full fuse in about five minutes. Now the bad news: these kilns go from 0° to full fuse in about five minutes! Once you learn to control the rise in the temperature you're in for some big time fun! My kiln is one of the first models made and has a pyrometer to measure the temperature in the chamber but not a temperature control. If your kiln is configured this way you will need to control it manually. I turn the kiln on and raise the temperature in 100° increments allowing a 3 minute "soak" between each rise by turning the kiln off. Once I am past the "thermal shock zone" (900° - 1000°) I let the kiln rise at a rapid rate, watching the pyrometer carefully. I turn off the kiln and peek at the project frequently until I have achieved the results I want. I flash cool the kiln by leaving the top open until I near the 1000° mark. I turn off the kiln and allow it to cool naturally to anneal my work. Since the chamber is so small there is a huge difference between the temperatures recommended for a regular kiln and a table top. This comparison chart has been helpful and I hope it helps you too. |
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WARNING: NEVER FIRE YOUR
TABLE TOP KILN OVER 2000°