Basic Operation
Accessories
Ceramic Fiber Shelves
The soft ceramic fi-
ber shelf, which comes
standard with the kiln,
cradles gold and silver
clay pieces. These
shelves are not suitable
for firing glass or ce-
ramics.
Ceramic Fireclay Shelves & Posts
Ceramic fireclay
shelves, available from
Sundance are hard ce-
ramic surfaces on
which to fire ceramics
and glass. Firing glass,
enameling, and ceramic
glazes directly on the
firing chamber bottom
would ruin the bottom.
Shelves can be stacked
using posts.
Glass Separator & Kiln Wash
Glass separator and
kiln wash are mixtures of
finely ground minerals
that will not melt and
fuse together at high
temperatures. They pre-
vent glass and ceramic
glaze from sticking to
fireclay shelves. The
main difference between
glass separator and kiln
wash is that the separator is ground more finely to leave a
smooth back to glass pieces laid on the shelf.
As powders, glass separator and kiln wash have an unlim-
ited shelf life. Do not breathe the powder when mixing.
Caution:
If glass separator or kiln wash contact a
heating element, that element will burn out in the
next firing. NEVER apply glass separator or kiln
wash to the ceramic fiber firing chamber.
Haik Brush
The haik brush is used to apply
glass separator to the kiln shelf in a
smooth, thin layer. The smoother
the glass separator, the smoother
the underside of the glass.
Alumina Hydrate
Delicate silver or gold clay shapes may need extra support
during firing to prevent warping. Place these shapes in a thin
layer of alumina hydrate inside a small ceramic bisque bowl.
Do not breathe alumina hydrate.
Stilts
Stilts are points embedded in a ceramic base. The points
separate enameling and glazed ceramics from the shelf.
Enameling Racks
Enameling is the art of firing glass onto metal. The metal
shapes are loaded onto a high temperature wire rack. The
enameled pieces and wire rack are loaded into a hot kiln,
fired for just a few minutes, and removed red hot. To load
and unload the racks safely, use an enameling fork.
The heating element under power is dangerous. Do not
touch the element with anything! Turn the kiln switch off
before inserting an enameling fork into the firing chamber.
Fiber Repair Filler
This is a permanent, high temperature refractory cement
used to repair holes or cracks in the ceramic fiber firing
chamber.
Safety Glasses
Wear
clear
safety glasses
when cutting or chipping glass.
Wear
firing
safety glasses when
looking into a hot kiln, such as
when checking the progress of
glass.
Caution:
Always wear fir-
ing glasses when viewing
the interior through the optional glass view port.
5
The wire mesh above is referred to as an enameling rack. An enameling
fork lifts the rack out of the kiln. A stilt separates the piece from the rack.
