November 20, 2024

KILN FIRING SUPPORT

KILN FIRING SUPPORT

KILN FIRING SUPPORT

This firing problems support page offers a concise troubleshooting guide to help kiln operators identify and resolve common issues during the firing process. This resource is a valuable reference for understanding and efficiently addressing firing problems.

  1. Problem Identification: The guide emphasizes accurately identifying firing issues, such as uneven heat distribution, glaze defects, or incomplete firings.

  2. Potential Causes: It highlights various factors that can contribute to firing problems, including kiln temperature fluctuations, improper ventilation, inadequate kiln maintenance, or incorrect firing schedules.

  3. Solutions and Tips: The guides provide practical solutions and tips for firing problems. It covers topics such as adjusting kiln ventilation, loading properly, optimizing firing schedules, inspecting heating elements, or troubleshooting glaze application techniques.

  4. Safety Precautions: Safety measures remind operators to prioritize proper protective gear, kiln maintenance, and following manufacturer guidelines.

  5. Additional Support: The page offers other resources such as FAQs, customer support contact information, and access to technical manuals for further assistance.

FIRING VIDEOS

Firing a Kiln with Witness Cones (Video)
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See https://www.youtube.com/video/-8E-YkZ45EA?ecver=2

This video shows you how to use witness cones to check the accuracy of the control and your kiln in an L&L Easy-Fire kiln. This video applies to any kiln.

Loading a kiln (Video)
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See https://www.youtube.com/video/F6chfrsLHkU

This video goes into the principles of how to load an electric kiln. In this case it is an L&L Easy-fire e23T kiln.

For More Information
  • See this page for text.
    • Problems
  • See this for an error code you may get if you load too close to thermocouples or unevenly.
    • Placing Posts
  • Place posts a few inches in from the edge of the shelf. Posts positioned on the shelf edges tend to allow the shelves to warp sooner.
  • Use 3 posts per shelf, this will allow the shelf to sit without a wobble. Use 4 for heavier loads, especially on the very bottom. Using more than four posts may cause your shelves to crack or warp prematurely.
  • Always put the posts for the next shelf right on top of where the posts are holding up the shelf below. All the posts should be in a line from top to bottom.
  • Placing posts on their sides
    • How To Set the Bottom Kiln Shelf In Your Kiln
    qr code

    See https://www.youtube.com/video//apbImpQjA_I

    From Jessica Putnam-Philips from Clayshare:

    Learn how and why it is so important to set the bottom kiln shelf correctly. With this simple tip you will prolong the life of your kiln, get better more even firings and better glaze results no matter what size your kiln is.

    FIRING PDFS

    Beginning Glass Projects
    Glass projects for glass and pottery kilns
    Firing Glass in a Pottery Kiln
    Suggestions for firing glass in a pottery kiln.
    Firing Log
    Simple form for logging your firings
    Orton Cone Chart
    This is a chart showing the temperatures and firing rates at which various cones bend.
    Orton Firing Tips
    A series of practical tips for firing a kiln form Orton
    The Ceramic Firing Process in an L&L Kiln
    Description of the typical ceramic processes of bisquing and glazing
    What Cone Numbers Mean
    This is a good description of how cones work and how they can help you fire your kiln better.
    Troubleshooting with Cones
    How to troubleshoot firing problems using pyrometric cones
    Caution Instructions for L&L Kilns
    General cautions for operating most L&L Kilns. These can be helpful for anyone using electric kilns.
    Firing a Manual Kiln
    How to fire a manual kiln

    FIRING KNOWLEDGEBASE

    Adjusting Thermocouples

    For ideal firing results, thermocouples in each zone should be close regarding how far they

    Adjusting Thermocouples

    For ideal firing results, thermocouples in each zone should be close regarding how far they

    At what temperature should you turn off the Vent-Sure kiln vent?

    What is the recommended temperature to turn off the Vent-Sure kiln vent when firing glazes,

    Can I cool my kiln faster than it would normally?

    This question gets asked a lot around the holidays. L&L's official line on cooling the kiln

    Cone Offset
    CONE OFFSET - GENESIS

     

  • Turn kiln ON with toggle switch
    • Does the Bartlett overtemperature control have a reset button like a "normal" overtemperature control?
  • If the controller is in the limit state (i.e. LMT flashing in the display), you must use the
    • Does the digital controller have a way to prevent an over fire?

    Once the kiln is properly calibrated after the test firing, it will fire very reliably for many

    Does the digital controller have a way to prevent an over fire?

    Once the kiln is properly calibrated after the test firing, it will fire very reliably for many

    DynaTrol Programs in Excel Format

    E-4, E- 4, or Err4 error code
  • Specifically this error code means that during a cooling segment in the programmed firing,
    • Error Codes for the One-Touch Control
    tC FAIL tC alternating with FAIL

    Indicates the thermocouple has failed. Replace the defective

    How can I extend ceramic kiln element life?
    Why do elements in electric kilns fail? How can you save on kiln maintenance costs?

     <

    How can I extend ceramic kiln element life?
    Why do elements in electric kilns fail? How can you save on kiln maintenance costs?

     <

    How do hold times and heatwork affect my work?
  • There is an option to add time to the end of the program when you enter a program. Usually,
    • How do hold times and heatwork affect my work?
  • There is an option to add time to the end of the program when you enter a program. Usually,
    • How do hold times and heatwork affect my work?
  • There is an option to add time to the end of the program when you enter a program. Usually,
    • How do I enter a really slow program?

    On the DynaTrol you will need to use the Vary-Fire programming. On a Genesis use the Custom

    How do I enter a really slow program?

    On the DynaTrol you will need to use the Vary-Fire programming. On a Genesis use the Custom

    How do I fire with fewer kiln sections on my Jupiter Kiln?

    The outlets are numbered on the side of the control box. In this example below all the outlets

    How do I fix pinholes and blistering in glazing?
  • The first thing to check is to make sure you are not putting on too thick a layer of glaze.<
    • How do I fix pinholes and blistering in glazing?
  • The first thing to check is to make sure you are not putting on too thick a layer of glaze.<
    • How do I load my kiln properly?
    LOADING A KILN

    Shelf Heights
  • The bottom shelf
    • How do I program a slump or tack or full fuse glass program into DynaTrol?

    This program is fine for slumping, tack fusing, or full fusing, just substitute different top

    How do you program a controlled cool down in the DynaTrol or One-Touch control?

    A customer asks: I would like to program my kiln to heat to Cone 6 then cool normally to 950°F

    How high can the DynaTrol or Genesis be programmed to fire to?

    The DynaTrol or Genesis control can be programmed to fire to up to 2400° F or 1315° C. No special

    How high can the DynaTrol or Genesis be programmed to fire to?

    The DynaTrol or Genesis control can be programmed to fire to up to 2400° F or 1315° C. No special

    How soon after the test firing can one bisque fire?

    Immediately.

    How to add soak or change temperature to a 3-Button Bartlett Control or Custom Programs in the One-Touch Control during a firing
    Add Time to Hold Period
  • Available only during a hold period.
  • This option allows
    • How to add soak to or reprogram a DynaTrol during a firing

    Change of Program During Firing: When firing you can alter the program anytime. You must press

    How to add soak to or reprogram a DynaTrol during a firing

    Change of Program During Firing: When firing you can alter the program anytime. You must press

    How to do a split test fire on a new kiln with a DynaTrol - safest way to test fire.

    For your first firing, just do the following: You are going to split the first firing into two

    How to Fire - General instruction panels for Dura-Fire.
  • Very Important! Be sure that the adjustments on the kiln-sitter have been properly set. See
    • How to fire - general instructions for Manual Kilns
  • Very Important: Be sure that the adjustments on the kiln-sitter have been properly set. See
    • How to Fire a Manual Kiln
    manual panel
    CAUTION: USE THIS ONLY AS A STARTING POINT IN LEARNING THIS PROCESS

    IMPORTANT NOTE: There are

    How to fire very precisely using witness cones

    Automatic kilns and even manual kilns shut off by the use of cones are never as accurate as the

    How to fix E-d or Errd

    Note: E- d errors read as "Errd" on controls manufactured before 2006

    Basic Problem
    How to fix PF, E- P, E-P, ErrP Error
  • The ErrP (PF, E- P, E-P in some older models) comes from a reset of the processor during
    • How to handle power interruptions, blackouts, and bad electrical power grids
  • In some places, the electrical power is very inconsistent with power outages, interruptions,
    • How to handle power interruptions, blackouts, and bad electrical power grids
  • In some places, the electrical power is very inconsistent with power outages, interruptions,
    • How to Manually Control When Your Vary Fire Program Stops Firing but Still Maintains a Controlled Cooldown

    The ultimate in precision firing is achieved by using the DynaTrol to control the ramping of the

    How to Program Easy-Fire Programs for DynaTrol
  • Turn on the kiln switch.
  • Wait to see IDLE, or press ENTER.
  • Choose a
    • I want to do reduction firing with alcohol drip. Does L&L provide any coating on elements to improve lifetime in such usage?
  • We don't offer any coatings for elements. There is an ITC coating that some people claim to
    • It seems that I should turn the Kiln off at the end of the test firing. Typically, how soon after would I turn it back on to check the temperature and the ability to open the lid?
  • The kiln will automatically shut off the program after the firing.
  • If you do turn
    • Recall at what temperature an error occurred in a DynaTrol control
    LOOK IN THE HIDDEN OTHER MENU ON YOUR DYNATROL

    This menu contains the programmable settings

    Should I use the Fast Glaze or Slow Glaze or Fast Bisque or Slow Bisque?
  • When in doubt it is almost always better to fire slower than faster.
  • A slower
    • The controlled cooling on an Easy-Fire keeps changing. Why?

    Question: I do a controlled cooling to get even cooling rates. I've been using the User 6 program

    The DynaTrol shows cone 05 after I program it for 5 or 06 after I program it for 6
  • You may have been programming the cone number by pressing 000 first, then the 5 (or 1, 2, 3,
    • The temperature in the control is jumping erratically. How do I fix it?
    Electrical Noise External
  • Sometimes there is electrical "noise" in your incoming line.
    • The temperature in the control is jumping erratically. How do I fix it?
    Electrical Noise External
  • Sometimes there is electrical "noise" in your incoming line.
    • Thermocouple Offset
    THERMOCOUPLE OFFSET

    A thermocouple offset adjusts the kiln’s perceived temperature to achieve