Enamelling kilns

Tools and the Workspace Kilns Your kiln could be the most expensive piece of equipment you will purchase. Take time to understand research and plan the type, size and price. The size of the chamber inside is crucial , if it is too small you might be limiting the size of your work in the future. If money is tight check out car boot sales, internet auctions and implement sales and take your time.
Tools	Kilns	Enamels	Metals	Soldering	Workspace

		This is an electric hotplate kiln, it dates back to the sixties. I picked this one up at a car boot sale for five pounds. I believe there are more modern versions available in America called trinket kilns but I have not seen one for sale in the UK. It heats the metal from below with the upside down saucepan containing the heat.

		This electric kiln is used in conjunction with a pyrometer (shown below), it is the easiest kiln to work with. In my experience after using other types of kilns, this one makes the heat entirely managable and if a lot of work needs enamelling you are more in control. Always buy a kiln with the largest chamber you can afford, as the space inside is important.

		The pyrometer on the left gives a more easily controlled and fairly accurate temperature reading from inside the chamber. The thermocouple is the wire element that is attached to the pyrometer and is inserted into the kiln to give the pyrometer information on the temperature within.

		A rather battered and bruised kiln, looks can be deceptive as it works perfectly well. This type of kiln has no pyrometer and the heat is judged by the colour of the chamber. It takes knowledge and experimentation to understand the colour of the heat for the enamels you are using.

		Kiln furniture as it is called comes in different types, forms and shapes. Some can be bent and shaped for your jewellery which has to be suspended so the melting enamel does not touch the furniture.