WarmGlass.com

I have an 8 yr old skutt hotstart kiln. Like typical skutt kiln owners, I have a crumbling element groove and loose pin elements. 4 to 5 pins fall out on every firing. Kiln dust falls in each project. So much that I am really frustrated. I am in a dilemma. Should I replace the lid or purchase a new kiln? How much cost difference is there between the two options?
How much is a new lid with or without elements. Elements in old kiln are maybe 8 months old. I have a guy who can replace the lid for $150. The floor, thermocoupler, sides etc other than the lid are in mint condition.
Thanks in advance for all your help in this matter,

Peter Brown

If you want a kiln like the one you have, just replacing the lid would be cheaper. Don't know how much, but Skutt could help. Or any place that sells their kilns.

I had a few Paragons where the pins would drop from the lid during firings; I'd put them back in but that created kiln dust. So I finally removed all the pins and secured the elements in the grooves with Pyrolite High Temperature Caulk (I bought it from Paragon). I put a dab every 4-5 inches and just pressed the elements in. That would last for about 5 years, and then I'd clean it all out with a screwdriver and do it again.

I have some photos of a major kiln repair I did years ago on my old blog: http://valerieadamsglass.blogspot.com/