I'm confused about kiln settings please help

[judi]

Hi! Just got my Jen Ken Tall Bead annealer with a digital control and want to use it this weekend, but, I have some questions. I know this should be simple but....
I want to have my kiln running while i make my beads then at the end of the torch session anneal them. I'm just not sure how to set the controller to do this...do I need to reset the controller when I am ready to anneal? Or do I set the whole thing at once...set it for 8 hours say while I'm making beads then it automatically goes into annealing temps then cooling temps then off(can I program it this way?)? What temps should I use...1.for the temp to stay at while I'm making beads and adding them to the kiln, 2. for the annealing process(how long too) then for the 3.cooling stage. In the cooling stage do I need different temps to cool to or just set it to turn off after annealing time is complete and let it cool down overnight on its own (like I do my ceramic kiln)? I know that these mights seem like basic questions, but, I just don't get it yet. Don't want to do the same thing I did to my giant kiln when I fused for the first time...over 50 pieces ruined and glass melted everyhwere...just don't understand temps and how to set them very well. Also, should I paint kiln wash on the shelf and bottom of kiln? Oh, 1 more question...does it matter how long the beads sit in the kiln waiting to be annealed?
Please, please...any formula you can suggest? Thank you very much in advance! I love this board.
Judi

[loco]

Confusing a crud, but once you get it you got it!
If you have a digital controller….. Set it and it will do it all for you. Mine has one program. I work boro and moretti so my schedule is odd. BUT when I just plan on working moretti, I tell the controller to skip the boro temp and hold segments. If I’m only working boro I skip those segments. Skipping segments on my controller requires I push the buttons, so I keep a loose eye on the clock. All of the controllers work differently so ask here how to set yours. I have an Orton Sentry Xpress 3.0

That said it appears everyone has their own temps, how long they hold, how fast they ramp down and at what temp they shut off at. I have tweaked mine to suit MY needs, your may be different.

Full to 1050 (BORO temp)
Hold 9.21 hours (working time)
Hold 30 minutes
Ramp down 150 per hour to 955 (MORETTI Temp)
Hold 9.21 hours (working time)
Hold 955 2 hours
Ramp down 200 per hour to 850
Hold 850 for 15 minutes
Ramp down to 600 in 3 hours
OFF

I never open the door above 100 and I will skip through the working time when I am finished torching for the day. I am guilty of pushing my 955 hold time to one hour on smaller beads.

The time that is needed to hold depends on the size (I see mass) of your beads.

[judi]

Thanks loco...I think I'm getting it.