Kiln Temperature Test

Testing the actual temperature of your kiln is pretty important.

If we don’t know that the kiln is running accurate then we cannot know if we are annealing at the right temperature….!

Annealing at the right temperature insures that our art will not crack due to stress still being in the art after we have finished creating it.

Do keep in mind that if you move your kiln to a different outlet that the electrical outlet may change the temperature of your kiln. I have 6 kilns and do move them to different outlets and test them and find that there is a difference then adjust my numbers in my recipes to work for the kiln being used and the kiln location.

There are many ways to test the temperature of your kiln and I am sharing here what works for me.

Needed items:

Candy thermomenter
Kiln to be tested
Cotton clothing
Face shield if opening the lid to take the temp
Welding Gloves or Ov Gloves or Heat Resistant Gloves that are rated to withstand 400 degrees F.

The kiln recipe is as follows:
Ramp 1 50 degrees F per hour to 400 degrees F then hold for 90 minutes.
When you are done testing turn the kiln off.

In 8.5 hours from when you turn the kiln be prepared/ready wearing the protective gloves and cotton clothing to place the tip of the candy thermometer in through the peep hole to take the temperature. I like to take the temp at least 3 times for accuracy.

If you do not have a peep hole then you will need to turn off the kiln and lift the lid and take the temperature by holding the thermometer with your gloves and add a face shield to protect from heat as well and take the temp. You may need to turn the kiln back on, let the temp come back up to 400 and take the temp again. I like to take the temp at least 3 times for accuracy.

If the temperature is 400 degrees F then you are spot on.

If your temperature is higher or lower then math needs to happen so that you can adjust all of your fusing recipes.

If you need help with the math then reach out to me with the temperature that you have at the 8.5 or a bit later time of the heating test.

NOTE OF IMPORTANCE:

If you ramp up faster than 50 degrees F per hour then you will not obtain an accurate reading at the 400 degree point.