How fast do you start up your kiln?

[SL Beads]

I have AIM 94BD firebrick kiln. There seems to be two theories about how fast you should start up your kiln. One is as fast as the kiln allows you, which is about 15minutes to annealing temp. The other way is much slower, like 45minutes to annealing temp. The latter method is based on the idea is that it is harmful to the kiln to blast off too fast and too hot. Is this a legitimate concern? Will someone please enlighten me on this? Sachiko

[Kalera]

I have been ramping my fusing kiln up as fast as it will go for about six years, and it's fine so far.

Two years for my annealing kiln, also so far so good.

[JavaGirlBT]

My kiln has a set point temp, so when I turn it on, it just goes and is up to temp in just minutes. Marty from CDV told me about the ramping up slowly thing, but I don't know how true it is.

[alexm]

I've had a kiln for 4 years and I start it full blast. No prombles so far. The way I look at it is: it's a tool, tools wear out, someday I'll have to replace the heating element. I'm a full time lampworker and my time is worth money, I don't have the time to sit around and wait for the kiln to warm up.

[SL Beads]

Thanks, veteran beadmakers!! It seems I can now safely save thirty minutes every day. Time is money, so it's a good news. Sachiko

[VickiK]

I have an Aim, the only reason I would ramp up slowly, is to batch anneal, which I never do anyway!

[DarleenMB]

Ditto what Vicki said. A slow ramp is really only necessary when you've got glass in the kiln.

[DesertDreamer]

I ramp mine at full blast too, and my kiln is 8 years old and chugging along just fine. However, it takes mine more like 30-40 min to get to temp (but it's a big kiln, too).

[PaulaD]

I use the Chili Pepper and I always blast off. Paula

[AVCKimberly]

Ditto, ditto...I ramp up full blast. I have a JenKen.

[sassy]

I am new to the kiln just had mine a week so I ramped slowly till I learn what is best. Thanks for the info.

[Cosmo]

In very large kilns, you need to ramp them up slowly to preserve the fire bricks. I'm willing to bet none of us have kilns large enough to warrant ramping them up slowly...

[PaulaD]

Good Point!! My BIG fire brick fusing kiln gets ramped up slowly. The Chili Pepper goes afap. Paula

[Cosmo]

I was talking about one like this...

http://www.denverglass.com/bell.html

One day I will have a kiln like that...

[sassy]

Whoa! now that is huge! My little AIM takes up a small corner of a table. That one is room size.