Kiln Problem

[jim burchett]

Hi Y'all. I have a GlassGlow 450 kiln that I love but recently i have been having a problem. I was having bits of rust and flakes of material falling into the firing chamber..I searched and searched and couldnt figure out where they were coming from. At last while closing the kiln I saw some pieces falling out between the SS lid shell and the fiberboard interior. I have since then gone along tapping on the lid to loosen these flakes and try to get them to clear also vacuum the joint multiple times..yet it seems impossible to get it all and flakes continue to fall down and contaminate the work inside. I dont see any easy way to remove the skin to clean it. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is there a refractory caulk that I can seal the seam with? any help will be appreciated. I have written to Phil and await his suggestions. Thanks

[Valerie Adams]

I'd see what Phil has to say first, but I've used Pyrolite high-temperature caulking to repair the drooping elements in my kiln's lid.

[Jerrwel]

Is there a refractory caulk that I can seal the seam with? Thanks

LDS Moldable Fiberfrax by Unifrax - got some from Ed Hoy's through my retailer.

[Bert Weiss]

Jim

I don't understand why stainless steel would be raining rust?

[Brock]

The rust is from the frame . . .

[jim burchett]

I dont either but it is..Phil said he had found some caulk that might work and will send it to me. I'm hoping because it is a PITA! Have to cover the opening with cardboard as I close the lid to catch most of it, then slip the Cardboard out as the lid closes and hope nothing else falls.

[Morganica]

Whoa. I believe I would stop loving that kiln. And be doing a lot of surface grinding!

[Bert Weiss]

If the frame is made of mild steel, I would consider cutting it apart and replacing the pieces that see the heat with 304 stainless steel. Once at a school, I had to work with a kiln that rained rust and I found it horrid.

[jim burchett]

Believe me I am hoping that the "fix from Phil works, otherwise I will have to do something. Nothing is easily accessible, as Bert indicated I'll have to "skin" it, and I dont really want to do that.

[Rick Wilton]

How big is the space? Can you pack some fibre paper, blanket, board or rope into the space?

[Valerie Adams]

Phil is the builder of these kilns, right? I would expect that he'd have the proper fix for you, without you having to do a lot of rigging.

[jim burchett]

Valerie, that is what I am hoping..it is a paper thin space where the fiber inner lid butts against the SS outer lid, filtering down as the lid is closed spreading throughout the kiln.