Depending on your work, there are lots of useful accessories to choose from. For example: kiln tables, shelves, posts, cones, glass separator, hot gloves, tongs, kiln paper, kiln wash, vermiculite, vermiculite trays, ceramic-fibre blocks, circuit breakers, fire extinguishers, hear resistant safety gloves, glare-resistant safety glasses, mini-vacs, and kiln vents.

KILN FURNITURE

DRESS UP YOUR KILN

Kiln furniture is the generic name for the supports that go inside your kiln, typically: hard and soft shelves, shelf posts, ceramic blocks, and ceramic-fibre cloths. They protect the floor of the firing chamber, support your work, ensure even heating, and allow you to stack up layers of work to be fired at the same time.

Never fire anything on the exposed floor of the kiln. If moulten metal, glass, or enamel, sticks to the ceramic fibre or firebrick, it will be very difficult to remove without causing damage. Shelves, and shelf paper, prevent this happening.

Nearly every kiln has a recommended furniture kit, included in the price. The UltraLite, the Mini-Kiln, and the SC kilns include a ceramic fibre shelf for metal clays, such as Art Clay and PMC. Unless you melt the silver, your work won't stick.

Most other kilns include an appropriate mix of hard thick shelves and shelf posts made from cordierite, a magnesium aluminium silicate that resists thermal distortion and fracture. A thick shelf heats up evenly: particularly important for glass. A thick shelf on posts allows hot air to circulate, so is the best possible choice.
Depending on the sizes of your pieces, the number of pieces you want to fire, and the size of the kiln, shelves can be stacked to make better use of your time: so you may want more than one furniture kit.

Most furniture kits include 25mm x 25mm x 12mm posts. They can be used flat to lift the shelf 12mm, or on their edges to lift the shelf 25mm. Other heights are available: 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, and 150mm.

Cordierite is brittle so, if you drop the shelf, it will usually break. Although shelves can be repaired, it's not worth the risk as, if they break again, it will be just as you put your delicate unfired pieces in the kiln. It's a good idea to have spare shelves, especially if your business depends on your kiln.
Some people use three, as there's no chance of the shelf rocking: although four minimises the risk of the shelf tipping if you put a heavy piece off-centre.

If you take out a hot shelf you'll need to put it somewhere safe: on a tray of vermiculite, a ceramic fibre block, or some other heat-resistant surface. A kitchen tile is not thick enough: the heat will go through and might burn the work surface.

CERAMIC-FIBRE BLOCKS

KEEP IT COOL

Ceramic-fibre blocks are used to support work in the kiln, for torch firing, or as a heat-resistant surface to put a hot shelf or work on when you take it out of the kiln.

If you're firing anything small and rounded, be careful that it doesn't roll off and break or burn something. The block is quite soft, so you could cut a slight hollow on one side. However, as with any fibrous material, don't get the fibres on your hands or breathe them in. If you fire two things, make sure they don't roll together, touch, and stick together.

Other materials aren't suitable: plastic will melt, wood will burn, glass will shatter, a tile will crack, a firebrick is brittle and heavy, and welders' squares and plumbers' mats are too thin. On a kitchen worktop, the wood will burn or the laminate will discolour and lift. Metal will just conduct the heat to the surface it's resting on.

The heat-resistant block is made from light compressed ceramic fibre. It measures 150mm x 100mm x 50mm. Unlike a heavy rough-cast fire brick, it won't scratch the work top if you move it about.

CERAMIC-FIBRE CLOTHS

A COMFORT ZONE

A ceramic-fibre cloth, or blanket, is used to support delicate or unusually-shaped work in the kiln, either as a flat surface or cut into appropriate pieces. The heat-resistant cloth is made from light ceramic wool. It measures 225mm x 150mm x 6mm.

KILN PAPER

CERAMIC-FIBRE PAPER

Kiln paper, often called shelf paper, consists of compressed ceramic fibres held together with a binder. It looks like normal thick paper, and can be cut to size easily with scissors. However, as with any fibrous material, don't get the fibres on your hands or breathe them in.

Bullseye Thinfire shelf paper, the most popular shelf paper, has been designed for smooth separation between the kiln shelf and glass, up to about 870°C. One side feels slightly smoother than the other: that's the glass side. Generally, you can't re-use it after firing.

ThinFire is light and thin, so not expensive, and easy to store. It comes as single sheets, each one 520mm x 520mm square, or as a pack of four or ten. Although it's described as a low-odour paper, ventilate the room during firing as the burning binder may smell and release a little smoke.

Being thin, it may curl at the edges as the glass changes shape. If this happens, put tiny bits of glass on the corners, or cut it nearly-to-size more carefully.

Although kiln paper is much simpler, cleaner, and quicker to use than kiln wash, it does cost more. And it won't protect the shelf against ceramic glazes.

VERMICULITE

PROTECTION

Vermiculite serves two purposes: to support delicate or unusually-shaped work in the kiln or, spread in a tray, gives you somewhere to put the hot kiln shelf whilst it cools.

The vermiculite in the photo is expanded hydrated phlogopite mica: the particles are very light, non-toxic, and won't fuse until at least 1200°C, about 2200°F.

It's not easy to find vermiculite in the high street. The vermiculite comes in 200gm or 400gm bags and will last a long time.

Finally, if you use a tray of vermiculite, keep it covered when not in use, to prevent stray materials mixing and getting stuck to your work. Also, vermiculite particles are very light and can jump onto your clothes if your movement generates static electricity, or blow everywhere if there's a window open.

GLASS SEPARATOR

If a glaze or hot glass sticks to the kiln shelf, it's very difficult to remove without pulling away part of the shelf surface. To protect the shelf and make separation easy, you need to brush on a coat of glass separator.

Glass separator, often called kiln wash, consists of finely ground minerals that don't fuse at normal firing temperatures. It prevents glass and glazes sticking to the shelf. It's mixed with water and painted on using a soft-bristle haik brush. Usually, several thin coats are applied in different directions.

A few tips: don't use glass separator on ceramic fibre; don't get the powder on your hands or breathe it in; stir the mixture every time you dip the brush in; and store it in a glass jar.

You need to dry the shelf before firing, or the water will turn to steam and the sudden pressure increase may crack or shatter the shelf. It's unlikely, but it could explode, so wear safety glasses when you open your kiln.

You can let it dry naturally in a warm place overnight, put it on a central heating radiator, or stand it on kiln posts and heat it, with the kiln vent open, at 150°C for 30 minutes.

Generally, glass separator will last for several firings: the lower the temperature, the longer it lasts. However, most users re-coat before firing. Before applying another layer, smooth the shelf surface with some wet+dry paper. For most small pieces, kiln paper is much easier to use.

KILN TIMER

JUST A MINUTE

Although most kilns come with programmers, it's very easy to walk off and forget. A digital kiln-timer is something you take with you to remind you that time's up. It's particularly useful when using the UltraLite Kiln or the Kitiki Mini-Kiln which don't turn themselves off.

The Cherry Heaven Timer counts up to 99 minutes 59 seconds. It's easy to use: just set the minutes and seconds, and start the timer. After the elapsed interval, the timer beeps for 30 seconds, although it can be turned off at any time.

The Cherry Heaven Timer has an easy-to-read four-digit liquid-crystal display. The slim silver and black case measures 86mm x 47mm x 16mm, and has a no-scratch magnet on the back so it can be attached to a fridge or other equipment.

It comes with a small battery which should last for several years. To maximise the battery life, the timer turns off after the alarm has sounded, although it will remember the setting for next time.

KILN TABLES FOR SMALL KILNS

Small kilns can stand on a wooden table or a typical kitchen-style 600mm wide worktop. However, it's better to put them on a metal trolley so there's absolutely no risk of heat damage. Also, it's often convenient to have the kiln where you need it, and then wheel it all away.

It's virtually impossible to find metal tables in DIY stores. The Electric Kilns Table, shown in the photo, is a strong steel table suitable for kilns up to about 30kg. It's ideal for the Caldera, Firefly, Mini-Kiln, SC series, UltraLite Kiln, and Xpress series with the exception of the E14A which weighs 53kg.

It has a metal top, a pull-handle, a metal shelf, and four 125mm castors, two fixed and two swivel. It measures 838mm x 410mm x 825mm, weighs about 15Kg, and ships un-assembled. It's a simple bolt-together construction.

Remember that the castors might need wedging, in case an accidental knock moves the table: and your work falls over.

Although the photo shows the top acting as a tray, it may be better to turn it over to give a flat surface. It depends on the way the kiln door opens and the position of the programmer buttons.

KILN TABLES FOR MEDIUM KILNS

Medium-size kilns are too wide for a typical kitchen-style 600mm wide worktop, and too heavy for a wooden table: the joints between the legs and top usually aren't designed to support 100kg. If the table wobbles, and the joints fracture, the whole table will collapse and certainly damage the kiln.

It's better to put them on a metal trolley so there's absolutely no risk. Also, it's often convenient to have the kiln where you need it, and then wheel it all away.

It's virtually impossible to find metal tables in DIY stores. The Paragon ST8 Table, shown in the photo, is a strong steel table suitable for kilns up to about 100kg. It's ideal for the Xpress E14A, the Fusion series, the GL series, the KMD series, and the Pearl Series

It has a metal top, two metal shelves, and four optional swivel castors. It measures 768mm x 768mm x 711mm, weighs about 67Kg, and ships un-assembled. It's a simple bolt-together construction.

Remember that the castors might need wedging, in case an accidental knock moves the table: and your work falls over.

CIRCUIT BREAKERS

RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE

Although most kilns have a built-in safety cut-out, all equipment in a work environment should plug into electronic RCD adapters. These detect most dangerous electrical faults: current leaks to earth and triggers the cut-out almost immediately. They're available from DIY stores.

MINI VACUUM CLEANER

A SUCKER FOR A VACUUM

Before using kiln wash, you need to remove dust from the kiln. Instead of blowing it everywhere or brushing it onto the floor, use a hand-held mini vacuum cleaner.

In The Kitiki Studio, we use a hand-held battery-powered mini-vac that runs off 4 AA batteries. It has an extendable brush nozzle and a removable washable dust collector. It's also useful for getting the biscuit crumbs out of your keyboard.

It doesn't need a manual, but the manufacturer's sheet says: do no put sheet metal and so on in vent or it will be troubled, and do not put brush to electrical outlet or it will be leakage of electricity. So, now you know.

SAFETY GLASSES

SEE IT COMING

It's unlikely, but some materials could flare up or explode, so wear safety glasses when you open the lid or the door: you've only got one pair of eyes.

Safety glasses are important when drilling, or using grinding or polishing discs. The safety glasses are made from impact-resistant plastic, fit over normal glasses, and can be cleaned with warm soapy water.

GLARE-RESISTANT GLASSES

EYE CARE

If you look at hot materials in a kiln regularly, either through a peephole or by opening the lid or door, wear tinted glasses.

Heat-resistant glasses are made from impact-resistant plastic and have green lenses, fit over normal glasses, and can be cleaned with warm soapy water.

HEAT-RESISTANT GLOVES

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Heat-resistant gloves are made from a special cloth: heat-resistant not fire-proof. They're ideal for lifting out shelves or work without waiting until everything has cooled completely.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

PLAN AHEAD

If you're working with kilns, you need to be aware of the risks, however slight. It's important to have a fire extinguisher, nearby. Read the instructions as soon as you unpack it, buy a basic first aid kit, learn how to treat burns, and fit a smoke alarm.

The Kitiki fire extinguisher is rated for electrical fires. It contains sodium bicarbonate, a dry chemical that is non-toxic, helps prevent re-ignition, and doesn't soak soft furnishings.

A KILN VENT

FITTED UNDER A FUSION 8

Although firing Art Clay only releases small amounts of non-toxic carbon dioxide and water vapour, some materials may release contaminants, such as carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, hydrogen fluoride, formaldehyde, or metal vapours.

The Orton Vent Master, easily fitted to many of the square kilns and most of the 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 sided Paragon kilns, draws fresh air into the kiln, sucks out contaminated air, dilutes it with room air, and vents it through an aluminium duct to the outside.

It leads to brighter fired colours: for example, red, green, and gold are affected by carbon monoxide. It prevents colour migration between pieces. It minimises the risk of bloating, dark patches in the clay, porcelain mildew, pinholes, pitting, blisters, and bubbles. And it improves the air quality in your work room.

It increases the firing time by about 5 minutes for firings up to cone 4, and about 12 minutes for firings from cone 4 to cone 10. From the shut-off temperature down to about 500°C, it has little effect on the cooling time. From about 500°C down to room temperature, it reduces the cooling time by two to three hours for the larger kilns.

The vent is fitted between the kiln and the stand. The electrical fan can be mounted on the wall or floor. This eliminates any possible fan vibration inside the kiln. Also, since the motor is mounted away from the kiln, the fan is easier to clean. An optional expansion kit lets it vent two kilns.

Because it removes air from the kiln and the room, the room needs some natural ventilation so that fresh air can replace the extracted air. Make sure that the air extracted to the outside doesn't return through a nearby window.

The UK Orton Vent Master comes with a 1.8m cable. It's rated at 230V 125W, so needs a regular mains socket. The whole kit includes 2.4m of aluminium duct and weighs about 4.5Kg.

If you want a kiln vent, your kiln has to be drilled to accept it, and you may need a plate-mount and a different stand. So order it with your kiln.