Skutt KilnMaster Kilns Manufactured between 2000 and 2006 - Manual (Page 2)

KilnMaster ® and EnviroVent ® are registered trademarks of
Skutt Ceramic Products, 6441 S.E. Johnson Creek Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97206-9594 Phone (503) 774-6000
FAX (503) 774-7833 © Copyright 1998. Skutt Ceramic
Products. Printed in U.S.A.
Table of Contents
Quick Start........................................................ 1
The Cone Fire Mode................................... 1
The Ramp/Hold Mode............................. 2
Introduction...................................................... 3
Features of the KilnMaster ....................... 4
Skutt kiln/controller features.................. 5
Wall Mounted KilnMaster........................... 5
Controller set up.......................................... 6
Thermocouple.............................................. 7
Kiln settings .................................................. 7
KilnMaster repairs ...................................... 7
Automatic Kiln set up................................... 8
Locating your new kiln ............................. 8
Unpacking and checking the kiln .......... 8
Electrical requirements............................ 10
Preparation before firing......................... 11
First test firing ............................................ 11
General Ceramic Information................... 12
Precautions.................................................. 13
Loading: key to consistent results........ 13
Greenware for bisque firing................... 13
Glaze firing.................................................. 14
Porcelain and stoneware firings ........... 14
Overglaze firings....................................... 14
Glass fusing & sagging firings .............. 14
General Firing Information ....................... 15
Pre-firing checklist .................................... 15
Cold weather operation .......................... 15
Type of firing.............................................. 16
Venting......................................................... 16
Underglaze firing................................... 16
Ceramic glaze firing.............................. 16
“Greenglaze” one-fire ceramics......... 16
Overglaze fires........................................ 16
Firing porcelain ...................................... 17
Firing stoneware .................................... 17
Firing glass............................................... 18
Quick cone reference chart..................... 18
The KilnMaster Controller......................... 18
During the firing ....................................... 18
After each firing......................................... 18
Cone Fire Mode......................................... 19
Profiles....................................................... 19
Programming.......................................... 21
Programming step by step ................. 22
Ramp/Hold Mode................................... 23
Programming.......................................... 24
Programming step by step...................24
Programming examples...................... 26
Key Functions of the Controller............... 28
Temperature Scale Selection.................. 28
Delay Start................................................... 28
Alarm............................................................ 28
Review.......................................................... 29
Cone Table .................................................. 29
View.............................................................. 29
Powering the Kiln..................................... 30
Stop Firing................................................... 30
Start Firing................................................... 30
Questions and Troubleshooting .............. 31
Kiln Problems................................................ 31
Ware imperfections...................................... 32
Repairs............................................................. 34
Wall and slab brick repair .......................34
Replacing elements................................... 35
Replacing thermocouple......................... 35
Glossary........................................................... 35
Appendix 1 Specifications ......................... 37
Appendix 2 Cone Chart, Heat Work ..... 37
Appendix 3 Display Messages................. 39
Appendix 4 Error Messages...................... 40
Appendix 5 KM Wiring Diagrams......... 41
Appendix 6 KM-1 UL Listing................... 45
Appendix 7 PK Production Kilns............ 45
Production Kiln Wiring Diagrams.......... 48
Index................................................................. 50
Ramp/Hold profile masters ..................... 52
About thermocouples.
Skutt KilnMaster kilns are equipped
with MI (mineral insulated) thermocou-
ples, which feature long life, virtually no
flaking, and ease of installation. Because of
these improvements, an additional ther-
mocouple is not included with your kiln.
Thermocouple wear is progressive, so it
may not be obvious.
Signs that a thermocouple may need
replacing include:
1. A crack in the sheath of the thermo-
couple.
2. A FAIL message on the display.
3. Erratic temperature swings and/or a
minus sign on the display.
4. A change in firing results as evidenced
by overfiring or underfiring.
Thermocouple elements are available
from your Skutt distributor or from Skutt
Ceramic Products if a distributor is not
conveniently located near you.
Wall Mounted
Controller Thermocouple
Kiln Thermocouple