Keeping a Kiln on All Day

[AbbyC]

I have an AIM bead kiln and, per the instructions from my supplier, I have it programmed to stay at annealing temperature up to 24 hours unless and until I tell it to start the next segment, which will slowly ramp the thing down.

I have two questions:
Is is safe to leave the kiln on all day? What if I leave the house for a while?

ok, three questions:

Is this kiln expensive to run if it is on so much?

Thanks,
Abby

[pam]

Hi Abby, I think you have to answer your question. Is it safe to leave the kiln on all day? Personally I would leave my kiln on all day, but not if I leave the house. I never leave until my hold period is over and the kiln has started ramping down - and then I only leave it for a few minutes. After all, the kiln is up close to a thousand degrees and capable of much higher temps, and who knows when the power may go off, come on again, mess up your controller and who knows what could happen. In 11 years I have never had a problem with an Arrow Springs kiln, but I still wouldn't leave it unattended. But that is my personal comfort zone. I'm sure there are others with a different comfort level.

[PaulaD]

I used tp always leave me house with my big brick fusing kiln on until I got a big lecture from a guy friend. He asked me if I would leave the house with the oven on...Well I would. And I always leave the house with the dishwasher going..That was the wrong answer...Paula

[Just Nancy]

I'm in the group that leaves mine on as long as I expect to be working.

I took a break an hour and a half ago. But I need to get back out there. That said, my kiln is over a foot from each wall and 6" off my workbench. Nothing around it is warm at normal working conditions. Still most aren't comfortable leaving them alone.

As for cost, I used to worry about that a lot. We have expensive electric and I find it doesn't add that much to our monthly bill. But I do ramp down when I'm done for the day. No need to waste resources.

Good luck.