It will have been a busy few months on the run up to Christmas and we hope you have had a very nice break!
We would recommend that you have a look around your studio and do a little maintenance this January!
This is usually something that gets overlooked and we get lost of frantic calls as new spring deadlines loom.
Kiln Maintenance
It is important to look after you kiln to ensure its longevity. It is important to unplug your kiln before you do any kiln maintenance.
Looking after the elements and other components of your kiln will make it more efficient and cost effective when firing.
Old and worn-out elements fire slower causing your kiln to you use more electricity.
Things to Consider:
Elements
Kiln elements can break and corrode to the point where they are not working well enough. Do your elements need replacing? Elements being fired to Bisque and cone 6 Glaze typically last 100 firings. Higher temperatures will wear them out quicker. Lead time on Potterycrafts and Nabatherm element sets are currently 3-4 Weeks. Consider changing your brass connectors at the same time as your elements. Drooping elements may need to be pinned.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples need to be replaced quite regularly. You may need to replace it once a year if you use your kiln regularly. Thermocouples should last typically 150 firings when fired to Bisque and cone 6 Glaze.
Higher temperatures will wear it out quicker.
Damaged thermocouples risk breaking during firing and could cause your kiln to miss fire.
Kilns Shelves
Time to clean those kiln shelves. Grind old batt wash and droplets of glaze away, be sure to wear a mask! Remove old batt wash and add new.
Even if your kiln is working, it is recommended that you have a kiln engineer check it over once a year. Need a kiln engineer? check out our resource section to find a local recommended engineer - Potterycrafts Resources
Spruce up your Pottery Wheel!
If your old batts are warped maybe the Xiem Batmate will help. They come in two sizes!
10093 - Xiem Tools Batmate 14 Inch Bat Jitter & Warping Solution
10091 - Xiem Tools Batmate 12 Inch Bat Jitter & Warping Solution
P6374/S - Shimpo Pottery Wheel Throwing Batt
New Tools
Is your Throwing Equipment looking worn out?
P7643 - Potterycrafts Wire Clay Cutter
P7465 - Potterycrafts Coffee Pot Sponge Stick
10186 - Xiem Tools Blue Porcelain/Stoneware Clay Pro-Sponge
Xiem Trimming tools: 10305, 10301, 10304,10302.
Clay Reclaim
Clay can be reclaimed, if your pots have not been fired and they did not quiet make the kiln or you have lots of trimming sat in a bucket drying out?
Why not make some new Plaster batts to reclaim you clay!
P3335-05 – Potterycrafts Potters Plaster
Link to Shimpo repair Videos.
https://www.youtube.com/@shimpoceramics4557
