I’m new and not sure what to do first to use my kiln

[Joysofglass]

I’ve been using a Microwave hotpot for a year but now have a Skutt Firebox 8 (Smas present).

Really silly questions probably but, I’ve always when using my hotpot used a layer of fibre paper then thinfire aper on top.

I believe I must ‘paint’ my kiln oven floor and my shelf with several thin coats of shelf primer ?

How long does that last, how often do I need to reapply ?

Do I also use Fibre paper and / or thinfire paper ?

Very basic questions but my operating manual doesn’t go into simple stuff like that and on the glass fusing course I did we just put our glass pieces into the ready prepared kiln.

[wordana]

Kiln washing the floor of the kiln protects it in case glass “somehow” gets on the kiln floor — a high fire mishap, piece of glass that breaks and lands on the floor, etc. If you coat it well, that kiln wash will last a very long time.

The shelf that you fire on needs to have some sort of separator — kiln wash, fiber paper, Thinfire/Papyros, or boron nitride. Molds need to be kiln-washed or BN’d, too. I know some people recommend kiln-washing a shelf even when using another separator (paper), but I don’t. Maybe I’m tempting fate .

When a surface you have kilnwashed gets a chip or starts flaking, it’s time to remove the kiln wash and recoat (for the kiln floor, just recoat — no need to have a smooth surface since you aren’t firing on it — it’s just there for mishaps). Kilnwash on a slumping mold will last a fairly long time if you handle the molds with care, since you are firing to typically around 1225 deg F. Surfaces used during full fusing will need KW more often since it will eventually break down at higher temps.

Dana W.

Jester’s Baubles Fused Glass Designs

http://www.jestersbaubles.com

[Joysofglass]

Dana

Thank you very much for answering me so quickly. Sorry for not responding as fast but had a Boxing Day party to attend. Now all fired up, as it were, and raring to go.

I feel confident now that I have enough knowledge to make that first test firing today and am very excited !

Joy xx

[Author]

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