Skutt KilnMaster Kilns Manufactured after March 1 2006 - Manual (Page 15)

15
P
RogRamming
D
uring the
F
iring
You will see the internal temperature of the kiln displayed as the temperature increases. The options available
during the firing are:
Review program at any time. ●
View Current Segment of ● RAMP/HOLD Program.
Press ● Stop to interrupt a firing for any reason.
Note: It is common to see smoke come out of your kiln on the first firing. This is normal; the elements are burning off
lubricant used in the manufacturing process..
a
Fter the
F
iring
When completed, the display will show “CPLt” alternately with the firing time in hours and minutes and the ●
current temperature of the kiln. Press ENTER to return to Idle Mode.
When a Cone Fire Mode program (or a Ramp and Hold program which uses the Cone Correlation feature) is run, ●
the controller may alter the peak temperature of the program based on the kilns ability to achieve the final tempera-
ture rate. This is done to insure the heatwork remains constant. If you are interested in knowing if that temperature
changed, press REVIEW after the program is complete. This temperature value will only appear in a review once
after the firing so be sure to pay attention.
Allow the kiln to cool naturally. Never unplug additional peepholes or post the lid until the ware is cool ●
enough for barehanded unloading, about 130˚F (54˚C).
When unloading, be sure to examine the Self-Supporting Cones on the shelf to determine if the kiln is ●
firing correctly.
It is not necessary to unplug the kiln when not in use (unless severe storms are expected). Continuous plugging and ●
unplugging may cause components in the plug and receptacle to loosen up over time. Loose components in electrical
connections create heat and can pose a fire hazard.
F
ine
t
uning
y
Our
k
iln
If after inspecting your witness cones you find that the kiln fired a little hot, a little cold, or a little uneven, there
are certain things you can do to fine tune the kiln before your next firing. Always be sure you use Self Supporting
108˚F (42˚C) Witness Cones. Cones should be placed about 2 inches (4.8 cm) from the kiln wall and or
thermocouple. Never place cones directly on the bottom slab.
Too Cool
Add more Hold Time to a Cone Fire program. If the target cone did not bend at all, try adding 15 minutes to the
Hold Time. If the Cone has started to bend, add time in 5 minute increments. If hold times begin exceeding 30
minutes contact Skutt or your distributor for more information.
Too Hot
If the Cone is knuckled down on the shelf, reduce the Hold Time by 15 minutes. If the tip of the Cone has just
started to touch the shelf, reduce Hold Time in 5 minute increments. If hold times are already set to zero, contact
Skutt or your distributor for more information. Thermocouples drift towards an over fire as they age so if the
problem persists or requires excessive changes to correct, it may be time to change the thermocouple.
Uneven Heat Distribution
Kilns will tend to fire cooler on the top and the bottom. Skutt compensates for this effect by putting hotter elements
in these spots. If you notice a certain area consistently firing cooler, load those areas a little less dense. If areas
are firing a little hot, load them a little more dense. Always be sure to post the first shelf at least 1” (2.5 cm) above
the slab and if you have a small load, concentrate the mass towards the center of the kiln.
Downdraft vents such as the EnviroVent 2 help with uneven heating by mixing the air within the kiln chamber.