Can you fire a kiln at night unattended?
- Some people choose to fire their kiln unattended—often overnight—for several reasons:
- Lower electricity rates at night
- More stable voltage in areas with poor power quality
- Long firing cycles that exceed available supervised hours
- If you decide to fire your kiln unattended, be especially cautious about the surrounding conditions:
- Keep all flammable materials at least 10–15 feet away.
- Install a quality fire alarm or automatic sprinkler system. Ensure the sprinkler head’s temperature rating complies with local codes. Accidental sprinkler activation can cause extensive damage.
- Check with your insurance provider or local fire marshal about any restrictions.
- Ensure proper ventilation to avoid heat buildup.
- Use an automatic controller with a **Time Delay** feature to schedule the firing.
- Confirm your kiln is in good working condition—no damaged wires, cords, or compromised components.
- To prevent overfiring, you must be present at the end of the firing. Use the Time Delay feature to time the kiln’s peak temperature when you can be there.
- If firing in an institutional setting (like a school), notify a night custodian to periodically check the kiln.
- We also recommend creating a checklist, such as:
- Exhaust fan on
- Kiln room door open (or alternate ventilation method)
- Delay Time set correctly
- No nearby flammable
- Kiln lid closed (and latched, if applicable)
- Program Review completed—confirm correct cone for your clay and glaze
- Kilns can fail. Most controller failures are failsafe (the kiln turns off), but not all. Think through worst-case scenarios: what happens if something melts through the kiln floor? What's the flooring made of? Always use common sense and take full responsibility.
- For added peace of mind, consider using KISS software for remote kiln monitoring or upgrading to a Genesis controller with app-based monitoring.
- See this Caution for more information.
April 25, 2025
