When I first started with glass, someone on another board gave me instructions on how to use a pottery/ceramic kiln for glass. I fuse large pieces and also anneal my beads in one of three ceramic kilns in my lil' studio.
You will not be successful with firing to cones though (cones are put on kiln sitter to fire ceramics or pottery). There are several ways you can anneal your work in the kiln though.
1. You can purchase a thermocouple, put the end in the kiln, turn on the kiln, when you reach the top temperature you wish, you then start "babysitting" the kiln. Turning the kiln on and off to keep the temperature in a consistant range to anneal. Turn off kiln after annealing cycle and let it cool down.
2. You can purchase a set-point controller and plug your kiln into the controller...ramp up to temp you wish, babysit the kiln by turning the kiln on and off to keep constant temperature while beads anneal. Turn off kiln after annealing cycle.
3. You can purchase a controller that will allow you to input several ramp schedules then you can select the schedule for whatever type of work you are doing, turn that kiln on, work your glass and let the controller take care of the rest.
Thank you (you know who you are) for making it possible for me to have several years of fun with my glass and ceramic kilns!
Feel free to pm me with any questions you may have on using a ceramic kiln. If I do not know the answer, I'll find it for you.
Linda