Advance Kilns & Supplies - Energy Efficient Electric Kilns and Furnaces for Laboratories, Mining facilties, and for the Hobbyist / Manufacturer in Pottery, Ceramics, and Glass

Before purchasing a kiln, be aware of your electricity and your physical environment. Kilns have a few attributes that must be considered, such as ventilation, hot surfaces, and high current draw. Keep in mind, a little prep work can eliminate any conflict and will save you money.

Electricity should be considered first. Priority is knowing your voltage and phase. Look at the main source where all your breakers are and read the label. We supply kilns with either 208, 220, 240, or 600 volts, single or three phase all depending on your type of kiln. An electrician can always check it for you if you are not certain of your kiln's power.

To change a kiln from one voltage to another once it is installed is time consuming and expensive. A factory kiln for 240 volts will have 25% less power if operated on 208 volts. Slow firing, and possibly underfiring will occur in this situation.

Majority of schools and factories have 208 volts where most homes have 240 volts. (Nominal 240 volts can actually be as low as 220 volts).

Advance Kilns makes different heating elements for 208 volts, 220 volts, 240 volts, and 600 volts.

It is easy to assume that you have 220 volt power because many appliances are made to run off voltage labelled 220 volts. If you measure only 220 volts, this is due from under-voltage. In most cases having 220 volt elements is not ideal because if the power goes up from 220 volts then the kiln would overload and would draw too many amps for the kiln's electronics. The most common in Canada is 240 volts single phase, 208 single phase or 3 phase, and 600 volts single phase or 3 phase.

We recommend having a separate fused disconnect box with a lockout provision mounted near the kiln, even if you also have a separate circuit breaker for your kiln. This way you can easily turn off power to the kiln and prevent unauthorized people from turning it on. We recommend this even for kilns with plugs because it makes it easier to disconnect all power to the kiln when not using it.

Your kiln room should be dry and well ventilated. Never operate in an enclosed space unless you have good ventilation. We recommend room ventilation of at least 10-25 times the cubic feet of the kiln per hour. For example, if a kiln has 10 cubic feet then 250 cubic feet per hour (about 4 cubic feet per cfm minute) should be adequate. Our suggestion is to get a variable speed fan for ambient room ventilation and keep a thermometer on the wall. That way you can vary the ventilation to suit the needs of ambient heat conditions in the room.

Precautions must be taken when children are around the kiln.

First is the extreme temperature of the outside of the kiln. This can get up to over 400 Deg F. The kiln should be secured in a space away from any children. The other main consideration is the electrical power in the kiln.

If power is on when you are loading or unloading the kiln it is possible to touch the elements and get electrocuted. We recommend having the kiln attached to a fused disconnect switch with a lockout device.

Make certain floor is not flammable and install no closer than 12" to any wall. (18" is preferable). Temperatures when measured 12" from the sides of the kiln were found to be safe from a flammability standpoint. Recommended floor surfaces are cement, ceramic tile, stone, slate, cinder blocks or brick. *Take extreme caution when using these suggestions. Remember that the kiln is putting out heat over a long period of time and that this could very well start a fire under certain conditions. Also, if an overfiring occurs materials like glass and glazes can be super-heated and electrically conductive and they can melt right through the kiln floor. If there is a combustible floor, this could cause a fire. Also keep in mind the continued heat of the kiln can dry out combustible surfaces over time and reduce their flash point.

You will need an appropriate number of shelves and posts to load your ware. If you are buying a replacement kiln you may already have the correct shelves. Check the sizes and make sure they will fit into your new kiln. For instance, if you are buying a new 10 sided kiln that has 3" brick and you had a 10 sided kiln with 2-1/2" brick the old shelves will not fit (21" diameter shelves vs. the newly needed 20" diameter shelves.

Have a pair of heat resistant gloves for removing peephole plugs and unloading the kiln. If you intend to observe witness cones while the kiln is firing you should wear shaded safety glasses. It also is a good idea to fire your kiln every time with witness cones.

After you have completed the following procedures you are ready to install your kiln.

Enjoy!

You may contact us at the following:

Location:
3325 C Mainway Dr.
Burlington, Ontario
L7M 1A6

Phone:
(905) 331-9300
or
1-866-991-3005

E-mail:
advancekilns@bellnet.ca