kiln bottom problems

[slats]

Last night I raked a large piece in my kiln and some glass dripped over the shelf forming some 2 inch blobs. When I removed the blobs it removed about a 1/8 chunk from the bottom of my kiln (Yes it was kiln washed two months ago - new jen ken 24) I am so upset. Thought the kiln was (BE) was supposed to protect the glass from sticking. Did this destroy my kiln? Should I rekiln wash this litle gashes? Could there have been something wrong with the brick on the kiln bottom? Suggestions please...........I also got a few tiny pieces of frit stuck to the bottom coil (around the sides)...... Welcome your professional advise.....

[Tony Smith]

Kilnwash it again and keep fusing. Because of all of the voids in soft brick, there's no way to get 100% coverage, so glass that drips onto it at a high temperature (low viscosity) may find it's way into the voids and grab hold of the brick. If you are doing a lot of combing and have a problem with volume control, you can cover the bottom of your kiln with a sheet of ceramic fiber... some people use a layer of clean sand. This will keep any overflow from sticking. As an alternative, consider using dams around your glass, or pay more attention to the volume of your glass. Also, make sure your kilnshelf is level.

As far as the glass on the elements, if it's a big piece, you can crush it with a pair of pliers, if it's small, leave it alone and keep fusing.

Tony

[Brock]

Last night I raked a large piece in my kiln and some glass dripped over the shelf forming some 2 inch blobs. . . .

You could put magnets on the back of them . . .

Brock

[slats]

Thanks for your help.....Tony, would I use thin fiber paper or fiber boardon the bottom? Brock, the blobs are beautiful...."making lemonade out of lemons"........

[Tony Smith]

Thanks for your help.....Tony, would I use thin fiber paper or fiber boardon the bottom? Brock, the blobs are beautiful...."making lemonade out of lemons"........

If you are talking about thin fire, that's NOT what you want to use. It will dissolve into a powder after the first firing. Ceramic fiber paper comes in thicknesses from 1 mm to 1/4" thick and is available from any refractories supplier in your area (they service industrial furnaces and boilers). In this application, ceramic fiber will last a long time, or at least until it is disturbed. Fiberboard is way too expensive for this sacrificial application and may not serve your purpose as glass can stick to it.

Tony