[Nanbird]

I've heard that new elements should be fired with the kiln empty the first time. Does anyone have any information about this? Many thanks...

[Mark C.]

Thats news to me-Seems like a waste of energy.When I replace a element I always fire a kiln load with it right away.
Mark

[Marcia Selsor]

I was told by a kiln company tech man years ago that firing in an empty kiln with new elements allows a protective coating on the elements to move to the outside skin of the element.
Marcia

[Mark C.]

Marcia
Would not this also happen with pots in the load as well?
I may see a bisque off gassing but how about a glaze fire?
Mark

[Marcia Selsor]

There are out gases from the clay and glazes in bisque and glaze firing..good example would be manganese fumes. Just repeating what I was told by a kiln company techie many decades ago. I have always followed that rule. I just take it up empty to a high bisque temperature.
If it seals the elements for one empty firing I am happy.
Marcia

[neilestrick]

New elements should be fired once with an empty kiln to allow a protective layer of oxidation to build up on them before the more corrosive fumes from the clay and glaze have a chance to attack them.