Do Not Fire Toxic, Flammable, or Unknown Materials
- Avoid firing plastics, organic materials, bakeable modeling clay, mothballs, and other non-ceramic substances in the kiln. Many materials release toxic fumes or combust uncontrollably when heated.
- Rocks, marbles, and cement can explode at high temperatures.
- Only fire ceramics, glass, and metal from a reputable source—constantly research how a material reacts to heat. The user is solely responsible for safe firing.
- Kilns are not designed for hazardous materials.
- Introducing propane, wood, charcoal, or other materials to create a reduction atmosphere can be dangerous. Under certain conditions, the air-to-fuel ratio can cause an explosion, leading to serious injury or death.
- A reducing atmosphere can damage kiln elements, causing premature failure by breaking down their protective oxide coating.
- Carbon-based materials decompose at high temperatures, releasing poisonous carbon monoxide and flammable hydrogen.
- Flammable gases auto-ignite above 1400°F, creating additional fire and explosion risks.
May 1, 2025
