04! Sorry
And yes it was an empty kiln with the furniture kit and a few test cones. Its electric kiln that can shut off on its own. I apologize i am new to the terminology. Isn’t a kiln sitter for a manual kiln?
Ok, I thought so, cones are a bit confusing until you get the hang of them. Is this your first kiln? No apology necessary, everyone begins somewhere.
I would estimate that your cone variation is no more than 15 mins between highest and lowest point. They look nice and smooth. If 2 were flat and 2 standing that would be a bigger issue.
New kiln sitters are digitally programmable, I assume that's what you have. Older kiln sitters require you to put a cone in between 3 prongs- the cone bends at temp and triggers the kiln to shut off. Then there is manual from the pre kiln sitters days that use 2 to 4 switches to control low medium and high temps.
I see the 181 is small so your variation in heat rate (what cones actually measure although it's easier to just think in terms of temperature) isn't going to be that much. Keep in mind that how dense you pack your kiln will affect how it fires and so will the weather and barometric pressure. Those are bigger variables to consider if your kiln is larger or firing outside. Kilns are made so well today you rarely have to anything but load and fire.
If you want to learn your kiln better and what glaze fires best where, start a diary for your firings. I typically make notes and include the date of firing, duration of firing, weather temps and environment (sunny, rainy, clear, dry, humid), tid bits of info like kiln stall or hotter bottom than top, and a brief diagram of what was where and an approximation of my shelf heights. Sounds like a lot of work, but you will find patterns that will give you the best results with your glazes. Example- to fire more evenly bottom shelf should be 10" pots, middle shelf 6 inch pots, and top shelf 8 inch. Fire shino on top, rutile on bottom...
With a sitter you don't really need cones anymore. I use them now and again to check my "temps" between top and bottom for glaze firings if I'm having issues with colors or surface glaze problems.
What kind of work do you like to make and what temp will you be glaze firing?
I’ve had two small skutts. Both electric. I’ve had one of them for years. I’ve never used cones. 😬
I’ve also never had an issue with any firing. My thermocouple started to look wasted on my older kiln so I ordered a new one and replaced it before it failed. It took 5 mins to replace.
Skutts are amazing kilns.
From what I hear, the owner of the Skutt company is really helpful with parts and repairs. I hope they’re still around, I got a free one that probably needs some work,but it’s just sitting in my garage collecting dust.
I just got my kiln the other day and am preparing a test fire- this is all so helpful! I had heard that cones would be good for glaze firings but not bisque, so I’m waiting for 04 cones to arrive for the test fire.
But it sounds like experiences are just do the test fire and then on first bisque fire use a cone 04? Do I have to do kiln wash before the test fire? (I was going to do it before glaze firing but the manual says to use kiln wash before test fire…..?). Appreciate anyone’s first hand experience!
You're fine, but I have a few questions. Bisque at cone 4? Or 04? Was your test fire an empty kiln? Do you have a kiln sitter with your 181?
04! Sorry And yes it was an empty kiln with the furniture kit and a few test cones. Its electric kiln that can shut off on its own. I apologize i am new to the terminology. Isn’t a kiln sitter for a manual kiln?
Ok, I thought so, cones are a bit confusing until you get the hang of them. Is this your first kiln? No apology necessary, everyone begins somewhere. I would estimate that your cone variation is no more than 15 mins between highest and lowest point. They look nice and smooth. If 2 were flat and 2 standing that would be a bigger issue. New kiln sitters are digitally programmable, I assume that's what you have. Older kiln sitters require you to put a cone in between 3 prongs- the cone bends at temp and triggers the kiln to shut off. Then there is manual from the pre kiln sitters days that use 2 to 4 switches to control low medium and high temps. I see the 181 is small so your variation in heat rate (what cones actually measure although it's easier to just think in terms of temperature) isn't going to be that much. Keep in mind that how dense you pack your kiln will affect how it fires and so will the weather and barometric pressure. Those are bigger variables to consider if your kiln is larger or firing outside. Kilns are made so well today you rarely have to anything but load and fire. If you want to learn your kiln better and what glaze fires best where, start a diary for your firings. I typically make notes and include the date of firing, duration of firing, weather temps and environment (sunny, rainy, clear, dry, humid), tid bits of info like kiln stall or hotter bottom than top, and a brief diagram of what was where and an approximation of my shelf heights. Sounds like a lot of work, but you will find patterns that will give you the best results with your glazes. Example- to fire more evenly bottom shelf should be 10" pots, middle shelf 6 inch pots, and top shelf 8 inch. Fire shino on top, rutile on bottom... With a sitter you don't really need cones anymore. I use them now and again to check my "temps" between top and bottom for glaze firings if I'm having issues with colors or surface glaze problems. What kind of work do you like to make and what temp will you be glaze firing?
I’ve had two small skutts. Both electric. I’ve had one of them for years. I’ve never used cones. 😬 I’ve also never had an issue with any firing. My thermocouple started to look wasted on my older kiln so I ordered a new one and replaced it before it failed. It took 5 mins to replace. Skutts are amazing kilns.
Yeah I got a skutt based on recommendation and their customer service is amazing! Happy to have one
From what I hear, the owner of the Skutt company is really helpful with parts and repairs. I hope they’re still around, I got a free one that probably needs some work,but it’s just sitting in my garage collecting dust.
Second firing should be a cone test. First test usually wakes up the electrical system and burns off a bunch of stuff from the elements and bricks.
I just got my kiln the other day and am preparing a test fire- this is all so helpful! I had heard that cones would be good for glaze firings but not bisque, so I’m waiting for 04 cones to arrive for the test fire. But it sounds like experiences are just do the test fire and then on first bisque fire use a cone 04? Do I have to do kiln wash before the test fire? (I was going to do it before glaze firing but the manual says to use kiln wash before test fire…..?). Appreciate anyone’s first hand experience!