Expert: Sam Kelly - 11/30/2008

Question
My electric kiln consistently fires hotter on the bottom, as much as a whole cone when firing to cone 6. I've had it checked by an expert who declared all coils/wiring etc. to be just fine. How do I compensate for the difference in temperature? Lower the temperature dial? Open the peep hole? Thanks for your response.

Answer
Hi Doris, this is a common problem and is overcome by soaking at final temp. In my gas kiln when firing in reduction I will soak at cone 9 down for up to 1 hour to get even temp, having a guard cone(cone 10) to watch in case it gets to hot. I do know that at cone 10 half down temp is ok throughout the kiln.

You will have to test, it may only take 15 minutes for the temp to even out. You don't want the bottom getting hotter while waiting for the top to catch up. use a guard cone and watch.

Sam