November 20, 2024
KNOWLEDGEBASE KNOWLEDGEBASE Support> Knowledgebase 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 use with success. However, L&L does not recommend it because it reduces the distance between the coils which then overheats the coils and defeats any benefit you may have gained. The best thing to do is to completely oxidize the elements in between any reduction firing you do. Fire the kiln to cone 5 or so in a good oxidizing atmosphere. That will do the most to protect the surface the elements. Also see this link: http://www.claytimes.com/articles/improvingkiln.html Also - be careful of alcohol drip and any other means of producing a reduction firing in an electric kiln because of its flammability and carbon monoxide which could be generated.

November 20, 2024

We don't offer any coatings for elements. There is an ITC coating that some people claim to use with success. However, L&L does not recommend it because it reduces the distance between the coils which then overheats the coils and defeats any benefit you may have gained.
The best thing to do is to completely oxidize the elements in between any reduction firing you do. Fire the kiln to cone 5 or so in a good oxidizing atmosphere. That will do the most to protect the surface the elements. Also see this link: http://www.claytimes.com/articles/improvingkiln.html
Also - be careful of alcohol drip and any other means of producing a reduction firing in an electric kiln because of its flammability and carbon monoxide which could be generated.