Tips for new kiln owners

#pottery #kiln #beginner
I notice a lot of people on the discord server are getting new kilns. There are a couple of things i have learned along my clay journey that would not only help beginner kiln owners but probably every one. enjoy :)
how to use kiln wash : • How to Use KILN WASH.
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[@karenryker5740]

Do you use kiln wash. We do then any glaze that gets on a shelf can be scraped off or a grinder used on it. If the wash chips away, shelf can be recoated.

[@EarthNationCeramics]

Yeah, we already did an episode on how to use kiln wash. I'm just too lazy to chip it off and make another layer.

[@sarahmcfeely1014]

You can also do a “paper test” if you take a rolled up piece of paper and stick it in one of the peep holes and it catches fire then you know the kiln is at or above 451 degrees.

[@user-wf3xl6ht1v]

My kiln's name is Kathy Bates. She's not a looker, but she's reliable and won't let you down.

[@edcantarella9931]

I have 5 kilns, 3 used. I call them by the name of their previous owners. Why? I started the practice when I bought the first used. Poor lady, her husband had nothing but jive comments about how she was going to stop wasting time(him with his 3 classic cars in the barn). Then he said "where's my half of the money". She stuck the money in her bra and walked away. sad stuff.

[@JoanWagner1967]

@@edcantarella9931 Just like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

[@unicornseatfruit]

I don't have my own kiln yet but I would totally name it Burnie. 👀

[@zorgon2426]

That feels like a bad omen?! haha

[@unicornseatfruit]

@@zorgon2426 no no, Burnie is just doing his job, creating beautiful pots with heat 🔥

[@themathsciencegeek702]

Burnie Sanders

[@user-ow7bi3se2b]

@@themathsciencegeek702 ahhahahaha

[@TeganKosterProject]

I’m about three years now to pottery. And Donte, I’m just going to say this : you have been my master the whole time. I never not find what I’m look for on your channel. I found you very early on in my pottery life luckily and have learnt most things from you :) including this morning : Donte when should I crack open my kiln? I have seen this vid quite a few times when setting up my second hand skutt and have already glaze fired several times but still learning and therefore, still need to re watch this video! I feel like a very good student and have actually followed (A Lot if not most) of your advice including getting myself a Sansei (master potter) and my practice has improved greatly and am now throwing off the hump . I just want to drop a big love bomb of appreciation on your channel cause you the best ! You are

[@EarthNationCeramics]

Damn. This hit me.

[@DreamingCatStudio]

When you spend 10 minutes listening to a passionate rant about bent wires holding elements against soft brick and never heard of any of them before 10 minutes ago....by which I mean to say great video, I learned so much, love your humor and enthusiasm. Wandered here cuz thinking of getting into pottery. Thank you!

[@adymolina8831]

I just got home from buying my first kiln. I am on cloud 9. I've dreamt of having my own pottery kiln since I first touched clay in my sophomore year of highschool. 🥲 Thank you for sharing this information! You are so funny man.

[@TheGlitterGirl1998]

Just got my first kiln (used) this summer, and named him Iroh after the character from ATLA cause he's old, tough, and reliable 😂

[@karenhicks9302]

I want to thank you for your videos. I took more than a few pottery/ceramics classes at a local university. For a long time, I didnt know whether to major in ceramics or drawing. That was back in the eighties, and eventually decided to be an elementary school teacher. Now, I am disabled. I am nearing 60. I decided to turn an upstairs bedroom into an art studio and wanted to teach art out of it. I only have a few students but I enjoy it and would almost do it for free. I got a good deal on a potters wheel from Amazon and I found a lady in the lower town arts district, who is a professional ceramicist. She has a few kilns and for a small fee is going to fire our pieces. I have forgotten a lot of stuff and never dealt with the kilns much in college except to load and unload them. I love teaching art so much and am teaching kids how to use - on a beginners level - a potters wheel and to sculpt. You and the clay lady have helped me regain my basic knowledge. Thank you so much for making these videos and being so funny and entertaining!!

[@scarletwatson5108]

You are the best. I just got a ton of questions by a new Kiln owner !!!!

[@vespakat7815]

Thank you! I’ve just ordered a plug and fire L&L kiln. The inside is just 8” square approx. I’m going to call her “Tiny Dancer” ❤️

[@socrateacher9331]

Thank you! I am a 150 year old teacher who has taught academic subjects for the last 200 of them. Serendipitously, a principal I worked for 15 years ago offered me a job, saying "How would you feel about teaching ART??" Little did he know.. I had been an ART kid who loved working in clay - but chose the practical route of NOT being an art teacher. Now I'm an art teacher. Middle School. First semester was 2d. Now it's 3d, and I have a kiln! I have TWO kilns, actually... and I've been drooling and rubbing my hands together since August. But reality hits me - I have NO idea how to actually fire up and use those kilns! (Both Skutt kilns) Your video has helped me avoid some pitfalls!

[@FrancisoDoncona]

Wow you are really old, I always thought the oldest person was on 114 or so

[@signalcraft]

It’s a bot

[@shirleycirio6897]

Very helpful video... Very helpful video. I am glad that you repeat yourself.

[@martinmilner14]

I'm not. He could have said all that he had to say in less than 2 minutes. Tedious.

[@taylor-nicolescott6592]

l have a paragon A88B and l’m so happy l found this video. you’re such a sweetie for posting all this knowledge. thank you!!!

[@globalwarmerguy9099]

Dante, I also have a skutt181 (and an older cress). Buy an Orton Autofire for your old manual kilns. It will change your life to the good. Every day you fire, you will thank yourself. It allows you to be able to slow cool, preheat before bisque. The work you save will dwarf the cost of the computer. I will never fire without a computer. Again.

[@TLCREW9]

I appreciate the basics - especially for older kiln! Thank you!

[@megmeg9461]

I'm buying my first kiln soon. I am definitely subscribing. Kiln...scared...determined.

[@constablebentonfraser5014]

Excellent, clear and informative, all killer no filler knowledge for a total alien to the craft, not an alien on a spacecraft but a human who wants to learn pottery or potting but not potting about in the garden, using ceramics, not Sir Mics, master of the microphone but a human weirdo. Anyway. Subbed. Thank you.

[@lillyhaynes9827]

This is very helpful. I’m picking up my first kiln in two days

[@AngelBomb5000]

Thanks for a great video! I recently acquired an old Duncan electric kiln from a garage sale. I have worked with ceramics a little in my art school past, but have no experience firing a kiln myself. I have a lot to learn but looking forward to a fun journey! BTW- I nearly spit out my coffee when you told everyone to finish watching the vid before leaving comments! So true- idiots and trolls are E V E R Y W H E R E.

[@rebeccamurphykeith7388]

Skutt 181 was manufactured in 1975-just bought one for my 1st kiln. Weird having equipment older than me... Also- mine didn't come with a cord/plug so...I have to attach one I ordered. Trying hard not to be intimidated by the process. Thanks for this video-it answered a bunch of Qs. Looking forward to your other videos on the inevitable other questions that come up...

[@rebeccamurphykeith7388]

Also-the hooked pins you like are called Kemper element pins- Blick has them www.dickblick.com/products/kemper-element-pins/

[@dmsanfil]

Helpful, thanks! Just got my first kiln, and I named it The Beep Boop Machine!

[@PSMITHjl]

Good clear basic advice that every new kiln owner can use. Thank you!

[@janet7270]

Thank you for your informative videos. This one was a huge help!! I purchased my 1st used kiln and being a newbie I am getting a wealth of information from your You Tube videos.

[@CeeJayKay]

Me too. No experience, no directions on my new old kiln.

[@kirsty1446]

Thank you so much Donte. Your videos are fantastic. Have totally named my kiln - my son calls it my cauldron, so that’s stuck! Thanks again from Melbourne, Australia.

[@PSMITHjl]

Good name!

[@sotchris9888]

love your delivery and instructions.. thank you😊

[@lisacatlin8161]

I just bought a used kiln! Never thought of naming it but am now. Dante, if you come down to San Diego, I'd love to have you check it out!

[@RayleneG679]

Ditto!

[@lisalovelylpa]

That’s funny, I new to all this and just built my first kiln and gave it a name lol

[@colinme2672]

Do not speed cool! This why your elements pop out and compress. Channel pins are just a small bit of old elements snipped off I have to ver 35 years as a ceramic technician, lecturer and potter

[@sparrowberry3420]

Looolz the sass is so good😂 Your videos are so helpful! (As you know by now. Hopefully.) Thanks for being incredibly clear on everything!😆

[@joycee5493]

I also have a very old manual skutt Thanks for the tips!

[@keithlightminder3005]

My tiny kiln is named kaijsa and my middle sized one is named Obidiah. It helps to make a thin plate like a drink coaster to rest the pots on, it catches any run off. Also I tried the flip over , which you showed at the very end, and it drips onto the pots below.

[@dellaB22]

Thank you for your clear easy instructions.

[@edcantarella9931]

Don't jam a brick in there , that places a hard corner of the brick against the lid, risking breaking one of the thinner element channels in the lid if your kiln is a multi-purpose one. If you must use a brick, wrap it first. Fiber cloth is a good choice.

[@cgallup1]

Any thing below 400º you can open your Kiln. at 500º crack the lid open 1 inch. Invest in a Kiln Pyrometer not cheap but worth the cost to save some of the headache for the unknown.

[@larkshere]

My kilns name is Chewy, because the hinge sounds like Chewbakka (sp?) when I open it!

[@EarthNationCeramics]

Lol

[@constablebentonfraser5014]

My friends dog is called chewy

[@jessicaferrara7708]

I use 2 short kiln stands to vent, works instead of bricks too

[@eleanorthompson7864]

when you talk about safe temperatures (200 degrees) for opening the kiln are you talking fahrenheit or celsius?Thank you!

[@liuolivia6078]

thanks for the tips!!!really good!!!! really helped me a lot

[@camistonge]

Dude! I love it. I appreciate your surly style. Seriously, I do appreciate your directness. It's super helpful. I inherited three kilns. I just wired my shop for them. Going to fire these bad boys up. I have a kiln that is like 70+ years old. Is that crazy or what? I'm not going to test that one ... too scary.

[@maridetto3705]

Thanks for another amazing video. I'm also looking at a kiln (if the current owner ever gets back to me) that is an old manual. Going to watch your vid about firing up a manual kiln. I'm an old dirty potter and for me the only regret I have is not discovering this love years ago

[@FrancisoDoncona]

Your gonna love this, if I flip a tray that had dripped glaze on it won’t it drip again onto whatever is beneath it? Or weld a fixture or drip onto the floor. Of course it will, sorry had no choice you asked for it.

[@gbennett58]

Hate to pick nits, but you said the glaze sticks to the bottom of the kiln shelf. You probably meant it sticks to the top of the kiln shelf?

[@lisayates4230]

I love the information you explain. I have an old Skutt kiln and i dont have a clue. Im making green ware and ill be expiramentimg with it as soon as i get a 220 outlet in my garage. :)

[@benpatterson4452]

Since it seems you are due for some new elements, might as well replace that damage soft brick, so you have some element channels again. The brick is relatively inexpensive.

[@EarthNationCeramics]

I'm planning on getting another kiln soon actually. I just wanted to do this video before I got one because how am I going to explain to you guys how to fix some problems in a kiln if my kiln that was perfect and brand new lol.

[@benpatterson4452]

@@EarthNationCeramics Ah, that makes sense. I actually have the same kiln, sitting in my studio, that I never hooked up. I came across another, better kiln instead. Are you buying uses again, or going for a new kiln? If you are going for a new one, I suggest L&L. I have nothing against Skutt, in fact most that I have used/ owned have been Skutt. L&L are just a little better designed, and have great customer support.

[@amykrenzer4646]

Looking to buy my first kiln. This was great!

[@user-ow7bi3se2b]

Can't wait to use "mine" soon :D thanks for this, you have a video for everything I need it seems! Haha

[@jessicaferrara7708]

If u do ceramics( not pottery) I use all different sizes of stands,stilts and shelves,( cuz sculpture is obviously different heights) and I put them all over and use lots of half shelves too I have not had issues with divits breaking, and I was always tought not to put in the same place it causes more stress on the kiln itself, so it's good to be cautious, but I think u are over thinking the shelves, I have ones that are like decades old and still work great, dropping or stepping on them tho I have accidentally done that and broke one or two,lol.

[@benjaminchavez3970]

Half shellfs? I'll place my bottom false floor and do I place a support in the middle? And if I do use a half shelf with mugs and want to fire a bigger bowl on the other side to have a mass on the other side of the half shelf to heat distribution evenly. It's this proper stacking and firing?

[@midlandernc7403]

How about use a digital point and shoot infrared thermometer through the peephole

[@computername]

Mine is called Jodie.. Jodie La Forge

[@michaelvicente7026]

I see you’re in Sacramento (me too!). I just got my first Kiln yesterday. Do you happen to do any local workshops? Super noob here.

[@EarthNationCeramics]

Sadly I can't at the moment more so because of the virus, but, when this is all over if studios wanted to have me do a class or something like that I would be happy to. You just kind of have to bug your studio owner;)

[@lonestarracing7516]

Bought a Duncan kiln that's 3ft by 2ft not even sure how to use it ngl but im learning but it was $80 and doesn't need much work as far as I can tell

[@juliannebond502]

My new front loading kiln instructions say to put the bottom shelf directly on the floor as the props will eventually eat away at the floor .

[@EarthNationCeramics]

Maybe it's different for a front loader but I have never had that problem in the 7 years I've been doing ceramic artwork

[@juliannebond502]

Earth Nation Ceramics. It’s probably made from different materials actually, now I think about it . Yours is a brick kiln . Mine is fibre.

[@stephenwindom3010]

Thanks, that was a great video. I have a Skutt 1027, and I'm not always sure what I'm doing. :)

[@davescheck3126]

Hi I have a kiln like ghost. I replaced coils it worked couple of times, now it won't turn the coils red any more any suggestion what to look for.

[@HAP072770]

How long does your Skutt 181 take till it turns off on a glaze fire? About 8 hours?

[@clarence-theregularcat7708]

I would never put a piece of anything between to open up the kiln lid. First of all the unnatural fast cool will wear down elements faster and second the uneven pressure on the lid can damage the bricks. you may not notice it at first but keep repeat doing it and you might find that your kiln will no longer close entirely without leaving a gap open.

[@remobandini6144]

Do you have a ceramic blanket pasted against bricks on roof of the lid. If so. What did you use to adhere it ?

[@joeymagdelone3705]

Did you just call me “dirty” :o 😂

[@joeymagdelone3705]

About repeating yourself: It’s actually very important when teaching because we don’t always pay attention the first time around

[@cpohayes]

I noticed in this video you said not to put the bottom shelf on the bottom of the kiln but in your other videos it appears the shelf is directly on the bottom of the kiln without supports. Did you change your mind along the way?

[@hellothere-ul5rq]

i have brand new SKUTT KMT-1231PK and i dont know anything about it thats why im here :D

[@janzeyellie]

Thank you, this was very helpful, I’ll be getting a kiln in the near future!

[@tamaracastaldo]

I was just gifted an old, Manuel kiln. It has (what I can assume is) glaze all over the bottom. which makes the bottom uneven. Is it possible to fix this problem and still use the kiln? at this point, I have no idea how I could set a level kiln shelf on it.

[@RayleneG679]

my used (new o me) kiln, Duncan Duncan ES 1020-6 isnt working!!! i fired 3 times. now it wont fire the receptacle reads split 120, for 240. anyhooo..where can I find a way to figure out my outlet and can I replace the 3k-lite kiln sitter? omg...Im so divistated

[@annaponomareva5749]

Thank you for the useful tips! Just wonder if it's a good idea to use kiln wash on the kiln floor? We got a new kiln (didn't think about a name for it yet..:) but already got some minor drips of oxide on the floor after firing, although we did put a shelf on the bottom (apparently the shelf is not wide enough). So now thinking on how to clean it... appreciate if you can advise. Thanks!

[@zorgon2426]

I have an old Gare kiln named Gary...creative, I know... LOL

[@jedijohnjohn8663]

If you have a vented kiln, you can NOT place a kiln shelf on the very bottom! It blocks the Vent holes. I recommend using 1/2" Kiln Stilts to support the Bottom Kiln Shelf off the bottom. Air circulation Below the Bottom Kiln shelf will allow for better cooling... An unsupported Kiln Shelf will store AND trap a lot of heat for a good long while.

[@megandixon3058]

Great Video! Thank you!

[@chantalstewart8573]

Thank you 😊🙌🏻

[@jadesines5343]

Baby Egan 🥰 it means little fire in Irish 🥰

[@MrDamatobrandon]

Was that a Viewtifull Joe sound effect

[@breannavanbeek4870]

I'm a self taught potter and I have a question. So I have two switches on my kiln, it's an old paragon. Am I supposed to switch both the switches to the temperature I want to fire at or is the bottom switch for a faster firing? My kiln has quick fire instructions next to the bottom switch. I don't know if that makes sense I could always get a picture to show you. I just need someones help lol. Thanks in advance!

[@fatimazohrajaafari9244]

What is the best kiln for beginners is it gas or electric kiln

[@bikermansl3]

Could you show me how to use cones the tiggy Bobby that you put them on on the inside

[@jbadge26]

I’m selling 2 cress kilns in Richmond, CA I’m not sure what they’re worth One is a FTX27P the other B-27-H both are missing the plugs and shelves.

[@sflow15]

What do you do with keeping stilts in the same place level to level if you are placing half-shelves on top of whole shelves? Not sure 1.5 stilts would suffice... or would it?

[@michellecollier7547]

Thank you. We just bought a used kiln a s know nothing.

[@michaelandrews934]

I want to use 1 section of my Sitter Kiln K. My house doesnt have an available 240v line and an electrician said it would cost 7000 dollars to upgrade. But if I separate the sections and use 1 of the 3 available elements, where the required 50A is now divided by a 3rd - 16A, can I replace the 240v power cord with a 120V and use one section?

[@jedijohnjohn8663]

What about flipping kiln shelves between firings? Is it necessary?

[@remobandini6144]

I'm in the market for a kiln I enjoyed this clip. Thank you. What temperature does yours reach I need one to fire at over 800 celsius What do you recommend I need to bake ceramic photos that withstand UV light for years (outside use on headstones)

[@musicmanucsj]

Great video. Where can I buy a kiln like this one?

[@karpadem1]

great help thanks alot

[@nancycampbell6800]

My kiln's name is Helheim.

[@Dave_Menz_p4p_number_1]

broooooo how did you get that gold on the pot in the intro?

[@lisalovelylpa]

Good video !

[@sabriyawilliams4470]

When is the competition being graded?

[@EarthNationCeramics]

The competition is being graded in a week and a half and the video should be out and about 2 weeks. Don't worry I will announce a week before he stopped taking entries

[@sabriyawilliams4470]

@@EarthNationCeramics okay dokay thanks

[@altusynlig]

Hi, Love your videos this channel si GOLD. If i don't have a spy hole on my new kiln, can i just drill one by myself?

[@diandinihaleluya1000]

i'm sorry but what 200° degrees??? fahrenheit???

[@lisayates4230]

I love it! You are doing well! :) wish you were my neighbor...

[@MitchPR08]

I just bought an old Duncan kiln off FB marketplace. It has a ceramic fiber top and bottom so the bottom of the kiln is pretty soft. Do you recommend still placing some stilts or posts on the bottom and then placing my ground kiln shelf on that like you did in the video? Or should I place the shelf directly on the bottom? I don't want to damage it.

[@EarthNationCeramics]

I personally have started putting stilts to lift it off the shelves so they don't directly touch the bottom. But I do still recommend putting something at the bottom because if you have a glaze run and you don't have protection it's going to touch the bottom of your Kiln directly which will cause a much larger problem than a ruined shelf.

[@erikak8503]

200 degrees F or Celsius? ;)

[@liianabanana6320]

Think I will name my Kiln “Blue” it is an old Cress with a Kiln Sitter

[@karmienbowman5102]

So JO, Where are the columns below? or the links below ?

[@jenniferwade727]

Click the \/ arrow on the right beneath the video & it will open his description that includes the links he mentioned.

[@meganaugustin2170]

I named her Lucy!

[@jasminereed4775]

I have that same kiln! I named her Bicker ❤️

[@jasminereed4775]

I haven’t actually fired her yet! I just got wired and my garage setup. Today I am going to chip glaze off of theses shelves my friend found. They are a MESS! Should I take it all off, sacrificing the shelf?

[@CupofLoffee]

Im terrified of gas things so I will probably rent a kiln

[@EarthNationCeramics]

Same reason I don't go to Taco Bell anymore.

[@CupofLoffee]

@@EarthNationCeramics hahhaaa.. nice one

[@Iluvmang0s]

Can I use any brick to cool it off?

[@lilymayer5444]

10:50 are you saying we should or shouldn’t get thicker ones? You said to opt out but then you said they great...I’m confused...did you mean we should opt in or opt for the thick ones?

[@EarthNationCeramics]

Sorry I believe I meant to say opt in not out.

[@jrocps447]

any tips where to buy a kiln?

[@wambraceramicspriscillacha5784]

Is that a construction brick? Or has to be a special brick ? Thanks

[@EarthNationCeramics]

I'll be honest with you, I just kind of found this brick. but I do find it fairly common for Potter's to have bricks Like this for the same reason I'm using it in this video.... We don't really have a specific place or type of brick that we use

[@keithlightminder3005]

Ordinary construction bricks are good for lower temperatures. Buuuuuut The lid is at an angle, the surface of it is soft and so the edge of the brick is going to slowly destroy the lid. Better to support the lid with a sawn brick cut at the angle or better still get a prop to lift from the handle- like a chain and hook mounted above or a price of rebar slit to fit the handle up. Btw you only need to lid rush if your kiln is undersized for your production, it’s a busy time of the year, or scheduling problems. We should help Donte get new wiring and a new kiln which matches his production. He has been very generous with us.

[@CeeJayKay]

@@keithlightminder3005 What is a “sawn” brick?

[@keithlightminder3005]

@@CeeJayKay oh, sorry for delay in answering- yeah its just a brick sawn to the tilt the lid will be at when its lifted for venting. when its cold, just lift it and measure the angle, cut that angle into the brick so it has contact with lots of the underside not all pressure on one spot.