New Jen-Ken kiln... glass wash?

malem · #1 2010-09-21, 6:46pm

Hi,
I just received my new Jen-Ken 9" x 9" bead cube. Can't wait to fire it up...

I read in the booklet that came with it that I should put kiln glass wash in it?

Do I need to use that for beads? didn't do that in my old kiln but then again I didn't get it new.

How to use this?
any suggestions?

thanks

Rose · #2 2010-09-22, 4:13am

I use a fiber blanket to line the bottom. If you don't do that them you need to kiln wash it.

Deb L · #3 2010-09-22, 6:28am

Kiln wash will protect the bottom in case you have glass get too hot (runaway kiln) and run over the shelf or if a bead were to fall on the floor and stick. Many times kilns will come with enough "starter" kiln wash to get your shelf and kiln floor primed. It also doesn't hurt to place kiln wash about an inch up the sides but never touch the coils with wash.

For a floor, use a 2-4 inch smooth brush and make smooth strokes going one direction. Do at least 4 layers, changing direction each time. Let dry between coats. That's it!

malem · #4 2010-09-22, 11:27pm

thank you so much!
I just tought that it was not necessary since all that put in the kiln is not "sticky" anymore and ennealing temp doesn't get it sticky. Better safe than sorry then, I guess.
I will use the kiln wash that came with the kiln. A hardware brush ok or I need something special?

bead crazy · #5 2010-09-23, 12:10am

I keep a extra kiln shelf in my kiln for accidents I don't use any kiln wash on it or my kiln. But the shelf can be replaced if for some reason the temp goes up and a bead sticks

PerfectDeb · #6 2010-09-23, 11:00pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rose

I use a fiber blanket to line the bottom. If you don't do that them you need to kiln wash it.

Same ^

wadiefong · #7 2010-09-24, 12:13am

Arrrrrgh!

I'd never heard about kiln shelves or kiln wash until now. I purchased a small kiln from Arrowsprings almost 5 years ago, and there was no mention of these things. After a long hiatus, I am finally starting to make beads again, so please forgive my ignorance.

The kiln I have now, is very similar to the Arrow Springs AF99 (120 volts, 9"w X 9"d X 4½"h interior, 9"w X 2"h Flip Door), except that the controller is a separate box that sits off to the side (unlike the newer ones with knobs). All this time I've been making beads and sticking them in the kiln, with just a kiln mandrel rack toward the back of the kiln.

Should I:

a. Buy a kiln shelf to line my kiln or line the base of the kiln with a fiber blanket?

b. Which is better, a shelf or blanket? I prefer not to use a blanket, as I'm leery of cutting it and dispersing micro particles of glass

c. If I buy a shelf, does it go directly on the floor of the kiln, or does it get elevated on chocks of some sort?

d. Should I be painting the floor of my kiln on a regular basis, and if so, how often?

I apologize for what might be "basic" questions, but I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks!

malem · #8 2010-09-24, 11:22am

hum... I am looking forward for those answers to!
Now that I applied the kiln wash.. .I realize I have been doing beads, pendants and sculptural work for 3 yrs and never used kiln wash before! so I don't think it is a must... but with this new kiln I tought better safe than sorry.
If you feel unconfortable with the blanket, go for the shelf, but I don't think you need one personnally.

PerfectDeb · #9 2010-09-25, 6:10am

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadiefong

Arrrrrgh!

I'd never heard about kiln shelves or kiln wash until now. I purchased a small kiln from Arrowsprings almost 5 years ago, and there was no mention of these things. After a long hiatus, I am finally starting to make beads again, so please forgive my ignorance.

The kiln I have now, is very similar to the Arrow Springs AF99 (120 volts, 9"w X 9"d X 4½"h interior, 9"w X 2"h Flip Door), except that the controller is a separate box that sits off to the side (unlike the newer ones with knobs). All this time I've been making beads and sticking them in the kiln, with just a kiln mandrel rack toward the back of the kiln.

Should I:

a. Buy a kiln shelf to line my kiln or line the base of the kiln with a fiber blanket?

b. Which is better, a shelf or blanket? I prefer not to use a blanket, as I'm leery of cutting it and dispersing micro particles of glass

c. If I buy a shelf, does it go directly on the floor of the kiln, or does it get elevated on chocks of some sort?

d. Should I be painting the floor of my kiln on a regular basis, and if so, how often?

I apologize for what might be "basic" questions, but I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks!

fibre blanket is not glass - think about it, if it was then it would melt too, its ceramic fibre. it can cause problems see http://www.ceramicfiber.net/MSDSCeraTex.pdf but if you dont disturb it (and i'm not sure how you would cut it accidently) it should be fine

glassdog · #10 2010-09-25, 7:18am

I use a piece of stainless steel cut to the size of my oven's floor. If glass does happen to melt onto the floor, its pops right off after it cools. It also acts as a heat resivour, when you turn the oven off it will retain heat longer. The piece I use if 1/4 inch thick. It works great for me.

Deb L · #11 2010-09-25, 10:20am

While you might not need kw because you are just annealing beads, if your kiln had a runaway relay it can overheat and melt not only your beads but melt to your floor, which could be a pain to repair. Fiber is ok but kw is very cheap!

wadiefong · #12 2010-09-25, 1:11pm

Whoa! Thank you ladies!

I gotta say that I've learned more during this week, just reading this forum, than I think I could anywhere! This is such a wonderful resource.

PerfectDeb, now that I think about it, I want to smack myself on the side of the head and go, "Doh!". Thanks for pointing out that the fibre blanket is ceramic based, makes sense now that you mentioned it!

Glassdg, thanks for letting me know about the stainless steel, I had no idea you could do that either.

I'll definitely be lining my kiln! DebL, your caution about a runaway kiln really reminds me that this is a must, even if you're just annealing beads.

Thanks for the valuable advice and help!

Now I have to go and order a kiln liner of some sort, kiln wash, torch needle (didn't realize I had to clean my torch too!), and... more glass!

joansown · #13 2010-09-25, 4:27pm

If there is no accident, does the kiln wash need to be reapplied? If so, how often? Does the stainless steel in the bottom overheat the glass ever? Thanks, I was thinking about this topic and this thread popped up. Joan

squid · #14 2010-09-25, 5:01pm

No, it does not need to be applied in general. Our temps aren't high enough to require reapplication.

Elizabeth Beads · #15 2010-09-26, 6:23am

Can bead release be used as kiln wash (watered down of course)? The instructions with my Paragon said to use kiln wash or "glass separator" which I assume is bead release. The consistency is supposed to be like coffee cream.

I used kiln wash but might want to re-coat it now and then. it was fun to paint it on. I doubt I really need it since I use a rack and a slab of porcelain tile to set my beads on, but did not want to void my warranty!

Deb L · #16 2010-09-26, 8:21am

As Squid stated, unless you have some type of damage to the kiln wash you do not need to reapply it. I don't know if using bead release as your kw would void your warranty-a quick email to your dealer or manufacturer would answer that question. I'd think it would work, though I have no proof. Bead release is subjected to higher temps than kiln wash in most cases. It could be harder to clean off if you needed to recoat (if the coating was damaged). You'd have to soak the shelf which probably wouldn't be good for it. It might also not be as stable over multiple firings.

killerbeedz1 · #17 2010-09-26, 8:29am

I have Alices kiln wash that also doubles as bead release. It comes in powder form and you can mix it as thick or thin as you like. As bead release it works well as long as you're not using it in bead presses.

Patsy