CAUTION INSTRUCTIONS FOR L&L KILNS
cautions.pdf
REV: 11/1/2016
Page 10
2016
L&L Kiln Mfg, Inc. 505 Sharptown Rd, Swedesboro NJ 08085 P:856.294.0077 F:856.294.0070 [email protected] hotkilns.com
not use regular sunglasses for this - they are not designed
to protect your eyes from this type of radiation.
2. Use heat resistant gloves when opening peephole plugs.
They are very hot and can burn you.
3. Do not open the kiln lid unless the kiln is turned off
(except for carefully controlled troubleshooting tests). There
is danger from electrocution. Cracks caused by propping
open the lid are not covered by the warranty.
4. Use heat resistant gloves when opening a hot lid.
5. Do not open the lid when the kiln is above 121°C (250°F).
FIRING CAUTIONS
ATTEND THE FIRING
1. We recommend attending the kiln while firing.
2. NO AUTOMATIC SAFETY DEVICE IS FOOLPROOF!
Be especially careful about attending the kiln when it is
supposed to shut off. (The Delay feature in automatic kilns
gives you control over this).
3. If you have a manual kiln with a Kiln Sitter PLEASE
BE EXTRA CAREFUL! Kiln sitters can be very unreliable
because of the moving parts, dirt or clay that can get into
the tube, the way cones are placed on the tube, corrosion,
etc. DO NOT FIRE THIS KILN UNATTENDED WHEN
THE KILN IS SUPPOSED TO TURN OFF AND LEARN
HOW TO USE THE TIMER BACK UP. Neither L&L Kiln
Mfg., Inc. nor Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation
warranty the kiln or kiln sitter against damage caused by
overfiring. ALMOST ALL OVERFIRED KILNS WE SEE
ARE FROM A MALFUNCTION OF A KILN SITTER. We
highly recommend firing all manual kilns with witness
cones that you can see through the peephole and/or a
pyrometer so you have some idea of what is happening
inside the kiln.
4. The controller is used to control temperature; it is not a
safety device.
MAKE SURE YOUR KILN SITTER IS ADJUSTED
1. If you have a manual kiln (or the Kiln Sitter backup on an
automatic kiln) be sure it is properly adjusted.
2. See the Kiln Sitter instructions.
3. Overfiring could result.
4. Note that the kiln sitter could have gone out of adjustment
during shipment. Do NOT assume that it is adjusted when
first firing the kiln.
5. The tube assembly should be replaced if gets overly
corroded or contaminated with condensed glaze or other
materials. Dawson recommended checking the pivot point
for corrosion and sluggishness every 6 to 12 months.
USE KILN WASH ON THE CONE SUPPORTS
1. If you have a kiln sitter, put kiln wash on the cone support
(but not the sensing rod) for accurate cone action.
2. This will keep the cones from sticking when they bend.
3. We recommend cleaning off the old wash and reapply
new wash each time you fire.
UNDERSTAND YOUR CONTROL
1. Become familiar with either the control (if you have an
automatic kiln) or the Kiln Sitter (if you have a manual
control or have that as your backup control).
2. Do this before operating the kiln.
PROGRAM REVIEW ON AUTOMATIC KILNS
1. Review the current program before firing to ensure the
correct profile is programmed.
2. You may pick up an important mistake and save a whole
load.
3. Hit Review Prog after you have done your programming
and the control display will scroll through the program. It
only takes a minute or less.
DO NOT CONFUSE CONE NUMBERS
1. Cone ratings are not intuitive. Cones with an “0” in front
of them (like cone 05) are lower in temperature rating and
the higher the number the lower the temperature rating. On
the other hand cones with no “0” in front (like Cone 5) raise
in temperature as the number gets higher.
2. For instance, Cone 05 is a much lower temperature than
Cone 5 for instance. If you fire Cone 05 clay to Cone 5
you could cause a serious overfiring of the material which
could melt in your kiln and cause severe damage to the kiln
interior.
3. See the Orton cone chart. (hotkilns.com/orton-cone-
chart)
USE THE PROPER THERMOCOUPLE
1. Never use a different type of thermocouple with your
controller unless it has been set up from the factory (or
unless you carefully go through the process of changing
from one type to another).
