Fi r e BO x
Op e r a t i n g
Ma n u a l
6441 SE JOHNSON CREEK BLVD. PORTLAND, OR 97206 (503) 774--6000 SKUTT@SKUTT.COM
WWW.GLASSKILNS.COM
Revised 6/14/11
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Ta b l e o f Co n T e n T s
FireBox 8 Operating Manual
Ki l n Sa f e t y ........................................................................................................3
Ki l n Se t u p ..........................................................................................................4
Location ......................................................................... 4
Preparation Before Firing .............................................. 4
Test Firing ...................................................................... 5
Ki l n o p e r a t i o n ...................................................................................................6
in f i n i t e Sw i t c h op e r a t i o n .........................................................6
uS i n g t h e py r o m e t e r .................................................................6
op e r a t i n g th e li d .....................................................................7
lo a d i n g ti p S .............................................................................. 7
wh a t ca n i ma K e ? .................................................................... 7
Sp e c i f i c a t i o n S .....................................................................................................8
wa r r a n t y & Se r v i c e ................................................................. 8
CAUTION
This kiln was designed to re very fast and therefore it has a lot of power
for it’s size. At settings above 4 the kiln temperature can continue to climb
in temperature and could permanently damage the brick and the elements.
Never leave your kiln unattended and never allow the kiln to re over the
rated temperature.
FireBox 8 kilns are sold with pyrometers calibrated for Fahrenheit scale or
Celsius scale depending on where you live. All kilns sold for use in the USA
are sold with Fahrenheit scale pyrometers. Be sure to use temperatures in
this manual that match the scale of your pyrometer. *The scale should be
designated on the front of the pyrometer.
*A limited number of Fahrenheit pyrometers have a scale printed on the front that shows a range from °C
2
to °F. This is a Fahrenheit calibrated pyrometer.
Ki l n sa f e T y
Be Safe
Tens of thousands of kilns are used safely in homes, schools, and professional studios throughout the world. With
a good understanding of your kiln and a little common sense you can avoid any accidents. Please observe the following
safety recommendations:
♦ The stainless steel jacket and some of the other xtures surround-
ing the kiln will get hot enough to burn your skin when the kiln
is heated. Therefore it is important to be extremely careful when
working close to the kiln.
♦ Keep small children and pets away from the kiln when it is ring.
♦ Be careful when opening the kiln door while the kiln is heated.
We recommend you use gloves to protect your skin from the hot
air that can escape from the chamber of the kiln when opening the
lid.
♦ The elements inside the kiln chamber will cause an electrical
shock if touched. Never insert metal instruments into the kiln
while it is ring. Always be sure to unplug the kiln before working on the electrical components of the kiln.
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♦ Plan on being with the kiln at all times while it is ring.
♦ Remove all potentially combustible materials from the kiln area.
♦ Long term viewing inside the kiln chamber can cause damage to
your eyes. Therefore, it is recommended that you use IR and UV
protective glasses when looking into the kiln for extended periods
of time. #3 welders green or gray glasses will protect your eyes.
Always make sure the latches that hold the body of the kiln to the
oor of the kiln are attached before starting the kiln. If the latches
are not secure and you try to open the lid, it could tip over backwards.
♦
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Ki l n se T u p
Location
1. Locate your kiln near an existing electrical outlet or where a new circuit can be installed with the least cost. Position the
kiln to the left of your electrical outlet so the cord will have an easy run and will not place a strain on the plug or outlet.
2. Install it in a well ventilated, sheltered area such as a carport, garage, utility or hobby room. It should be convenient to
where you are working, and out of the way of trafc areas.
3. Allow at least 18” (46 cm) of space between your kiln and adjacent walls.
4. Do not locate the kiln where ammable materials will be stored.
5. Never re your kiln within a four sided cabinet or closet. The fourth side must always be open to room air to prevent
the kiln from overheating surrounding surfaces. .
6. The kiln must be placed on a non combustible surface such as cement, brick, metal or ceramic.
7. When installing a kiln in a room with a re control sprinkler system, please check the sprinkler head rating to insure that
heat emitted from the kiln will not activate the sprinkler system.
Preparation Before Firing
un p a c k ki l n
Once you have located a spot for your kiln it is time to unpack it and set it up. Below is a list of all the components that
should be included:
Fire Box Kiln•
Stand•
Pyrometer•
If there are any items missing or you notice any freight damage contact your distributor immediately. Freight companies will not honor claims if too much time has passed from the time the item was received. You will notice that the seams
between the brick will be missing mortar in certain areas. This is normal and will not affect the performance of the kiln.
Mortar is intentionally left out of the seams near the elements so it will not come in contact with the element itself.
Remove the stand from the box and place it where you have chosen to locate your kiln. The stand should be oriented so
the channels are on the sides. Place the kiln on top of the stand and center it. Make sure the switch is set to the off position
and plug the kiln into the receptacle. Make sure the receptacle is wired to the correct amperage breaker and the proper gauge
wiring has been installed. See the Electrical Specications section for electrical installation guidelines.
Goodie Bag Contents
Thermocouple Flange•
2 Screws•
Warranty Card•
Glass Kiln Catalog•
FireBox Manual•
Optional Accessory Kit
Three 1” Shelf posts•
One - 7” x 7” x 1/2” •
Square Shelf
8 oz. Kiln Wash•
Fiber Paper•
Va c u u M t h e ki l n
Often times during shipping brick dust will accumulate in the element grooves and on the bottom of the kiln. We recommend
that you vacuum the inside of the kiln to remove any dust that accumulates during shipment.
pr i M e ki l n Sh e l V e S
You will want to apply a shelf primer, also referred to as kiln wash, on your kiln shelf (purchased separately) to protect it
from melted glass adhering to it. There are a number of different formulations with different instructions for application so
be sure to follow the directions of the brand you choose. Be sure newly coated shelves are dry before ring them in the kiln.
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Ki l n se T u p
in S t a l l th e r M O c O u p l e a n d py r O M e t e r
Install the Thermocouple Flange by placing it over the hole on the left side of the kiln and lining up the screw holes with •
the holes in the base of the ange. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to attach the ange to the side of the kiln using the
screws in your goodie bag.
Remove the pyrometer and thermocouple from the box and place the 9 volt battery in the pyrometer. Attach the thermo-•
couple to the pyrometer as pictured. Be sure the “+” and “-” symbols on the plug of the thermocouple match those found
on the face of the pyrometer. Hold the tip of the pyrometer over a ame to make sure the meter is operating. If the connection is reversed the temperature will fall when it should be climbing.
The stand included with the pyrometer can be either wall mounted or set on the table next to the kiln. In either case be •
sure that the pyrometer is at least 8 inches (20 cm) from the kiln to prevent overheating. If you are mounting the pyrometer to the wall, fasten the stand to the wall using the screws included in the pyrometer stand box. Tuck the top of the py-
rometer under the ange on the top of the stand. If you wish to have the stand just set on the table next to the kiln simply
tuck the top of the pyrometer under the ange on the top of the stand and set it at least 8 inches (20 cm) from the kiln.
Insert the pyrometer thermocouple through the ange and side wall of the kiln so that the tip of the thermocouple is in-•
side the kiln 1 inch. The larger ceramic insulator should be about halfway into the ange, tighten the set crew so it is just
snug. Overtightening may crack the insulator. As the thermocouple ages it will become more fragile, so exercise extreme
caution when removing and inserting the thermocouple. See picture for proper installation.
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Test Firing
Se a t i n g t h e el e M e n t S
The elements of your kiln need to be properly seated into the grooves of the brick. Elements have stress in them much
like glass before it is annealed. This stress is caused by winding and stretching the elements. By bringing the elements up to
a minimum temperature you allow the elements to settle into the grooves and relieve this stress. After the elements have been
seated, the element is more stable and less likely to pop or crawl out of the grooves.
Before you test re the kiln read the section on Kiln Operation to gain a rm understanding of how the kiln operates.
To seat the elements re the kiln up to 1650 ºF (899 ºC) and hold at this temperature for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes
turn the switch to off and let the kiln cool back down to room temperature. The rst time the elements are red they will give
off some smoke. This is normal and expected. It is also common for hairline cracks to appear in the oor of a kiln. This is
caused by the expansion and contraction of the mortared brick and is considered normal. It will not affect the ring of your
kiln nor the life of the kiln oor.
te S t Fi r e pr O c e d u r e
• Post up a shelf in the kiln chamber using 1” (2.5 cm) posts. Fuse with the shelf in this position relative to the thermocouple whenever possible for accurate and consistent results.
• Place a sample glass project using scrap fusible glass in the kiln. Fire the kiln to the temperature recommended for a
fused or tac-fused project.
• Let the kiln re and then cool to room temperature before opening the lid. If the project is fused or slumped to
your satisfaction the kiln is operating correctly. Each kiln will re slightly different and it is normal to make slight
adjustments to your switch setting to attain the results you are looking for.
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Congratulations you are now ready to use your kiln!
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Ki l n op e r a T i o n
Innite Switch Control
de S c r i p t i O n
The Innite Switch is the main temperature control device for your kiln. The switch, located on the front of the control
box, is called an “innite “ switch because it has an innite number of settings between Low and High. As the switch is
turned up the kiln heats at a faster rate and will achieve a higher temperature. The markings on the switch are meant to be
used as reference points not as specic settings. Therefore it is ok to position the switch anywhere in between these markings. Factors such as the mass of the load, the age of the kiln and uctuations in voltage will affect the rate at which the kiln
res.
Op e r a t i O n
When using your kiln you will want to control the heating/cooling rate and hold at specic temperatures. As mentioned
earlier the performance of your kiln will be affected by several factors the main one being the mass of the load in the kiln.
Over time you will get a feel for how your kiln performs in different situations. Here are some tips to give you a head start.
The Heating/Cooling Rate
For many smaller items the heating rate is often not important however for certain materials such as larger glass projects, ceramics, and molds, a slower heating rate may be necessary to avoid thermal shocking the ware. When in doubt bring
your kiln up to temperature slowly.
The slowest setting on the FireBox 8 is LOW. At a low setting with the kiln empty the kiln will average about 300 ºF/
hr. (167 ºC/hr.). To calculate the heating rate as it is ring simply measure the temperature rise over a one minute period and
multiply that number by 60. This should be done every 10 or 15 minutes since the rate will begin to slow as the kiln reaches
it’s peak temperature for that setting.
To increase the rate turn the switch up and to decrease the rate turn the switch down. To achieve a slower rate than 300
ºF/hr. (167 ºC/hr.) you will want to either prop the lid or turn the switch alternately from OFF to LOW. Every time you turn
the switch you should recalculate your heating rate to see if further adjustment is needed.
For many smaller projects simply turning the switch to OFF and letting the kiln cool naturally is ne. For other items
that require a slow cool or annealing you will want to lower the switch setting and measure your rates just as you did with
heating the kiln. If you want to cool faster than the kiln is allowing you can crack the lid to allow heat to escape.
Holding At Temperature
In order to set the kiln at a particular temperature it will be necessary to make adjustments to the settings until it stabilizes. As you work more with your kiln you will get a feel for what settings will achieve particular temperatures. Keeping
notes will help you achieve a stabilized temperature with fewer adjustments. The faster the heating or cooling rate the more
likely you are to overshoot your holding temperature. If your kiln is set to a fast rate, turn down the switch setting before you
reach your temperature. Consult your notes to nd the settings that hold at certain temperatures. It may be necessary to turn
the switch up and down a few times before nding a setting that holds it at your desired temperature.
th i S k i l n w a S d e S i g n e d t O F i r e V e r y F a S t t h e r e F O r e i t h a S a l O t O F p O w e r F O r i t S S i z e . ne V e r
l e a V e y O u r k i l n u n a t t e n d e d . at S e t t i n g S a B O V e 4 t h e k i l n t e M p e r a t u r e c a n c O n t i n u e t O c l i M B
a n d c O u l d p e r M a n e n t l y d a M a g e t h e B r i c k a n d t h e e l e M e n t S . ne V e r a l l O w t h e k i l n t O F i r e O V e r
t h e r a t e d t e M p e r a t u r e .
Using the Pyrometer
The digital pyrometer provided with your kiln is very simple to use and understand. Once you have it set up (see in-
structions under “Kiln Set-Up”), all you need to do is use the switch located on the front to turn it on and off. The pyrometer
reads temperature in Degrees Fahrenheit. If you need a Celsius pyrometer one can be special ordered.
The meter will read temperatures up to 1999 ºF (1093 ºC). The kiln is capable of achieving temperatures beyond this
rating. If the temperature exceeds 1999 ºF (1093 ºC), the pyrometer will read “1”. If you see the pyrometer with this display
turn the kiln (not the pyrometer) off immediately. Once the temperature drops below 1999 ºF (1093 ºC) the pyrometer will
read the correct temperature and you can turn the kiln back on. When the battery is low the pyrometer will display “LO
BAT” in the top left corner.
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Ki l n op e r a T i o n
Operating the Lid
The lid of the FireBox is designed to open beyond 90 degrees for several reasons. The rst is to give the artist full
access to the kiln chamber when manipulating glass. The second is to position the lid far enough back so the lid does not
radiate heat back towards the artist while they are working.
Since the elements are capable of shocking the user if they come in contact with them, we highly recommend that you
turn the switch to the OFF position before working in the kiln.
Always be sure the buckles that hold the ring chamber to the bottom of the kiln are secure before opening the kiln lid.
Without these secured the kiln could tip over backwards. If this happens immediately turn the switch to the off position and
do not try to replace on the stand without re rated gloves.
To open the lid simply grab the wooden ball and lift up slowly. As the lid goes over 90 degrees towards the back of the
kiln gently rest it down until the stops on the back hold it in place.
Certain countries require a Lid Shut Off Device to be installed on the lid that cuts the power to the kiln if the lid
is opened. If your kiln is equipped with this feature please follow the additional operating instructions found in the
Lid Shut Off Addendum.
Loading Tips
When placing shelves always try to post them off the kiln oor at least 1/2“ (1.3 cm) to allow heat to reach •
under the shelf.
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Never re anything directly on the kiln oor as it will act as a heat-sink and heat the glass unevenly. •
Always try to position your work a minimum of 1 “ from the elements to avoid uneven heating.•
Never place your artwork or a shelf closer than 1“ from the thermocouple as it can bias the reading and possibly •
overre the kiln.
Allow for proper spacing between pieces to avoid them fusing together and allow good heat ow.•
Always check that your shelf primer coverage is satisfactory or use ber paper before ring a piece to avoid •
sticking to the shelf.
Try to leave at least an inch gap between your artwork and the lid. Artwork placed too close to the lid could •
fuse to it.
What Can I Make?
Your FireBox Kiln is an extremely versatile tool. It can be used for a wide variety of projects, here are just a few:
Fusing Glass•
Slumping Glass•
Casting Glass in Molds•
Precious Metal Clay Jewelry Making•
Knife Making•
Low Fire Ceramics•
China Painting•
Enameling•
Lamp work Annealing•
Contact your distributor or visit the Skutt web site for more information on ring programs and instruction on
these various art forms.
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8
LSO
PILOT
LIGHT
(OPTIONAL)
2W + G
1-Phase
Model:
Wiring Diagram
FIREBOX 8
H2
L2
H1
L1
P
L1
N
G
W_7022
MJH 11/28/06
sp eC if i C aT i on s
Warranty and Service
Skutt has 2 full time technicians available to help with questions on operating and troubleshoot your kiln. If
you have a question regarding technique or how to use specic products, please contact the supplier of that particular
product. You kiln comes with a limited 2 year warranty. A copy of this warranty has shipped with your kiln. You can
register online at:
http://www.skutt.com/glass/warranty/index.html
Electrical Requirements
The chart below shows the recommended electrical specications for the FireBox 8. If you are uncertain about
your existing power, have it checked by an electrician. If you are installing a new kiln, have the electrician follow this
guide.
Electrical requirements for FireBox 8 Kiln
Wire Breaker Max NEMA
Voltage Amp Watts Size* Size Temp Receptacle
FireBox 8 (USA) 115 15 1725 12 20 2000 5-15
Kilns sold outside of the USA are designed specically to meet the requirements of the country in which they are
to be used. Always check the electrical information located on the serial plate of your kiln to see if it matches your particular installation. If the wiring for your kiln is different then the standard wiring shown in the diagram below, a custom
wiring diagram will be inserted into this manual.
The FireBox 8 is equipped with a type K thermocouple.
*For each additional 50 feet use heavier wire, numerically two numbers lower—for example, instead of #12, use
#10. If you anticipate installing any larger kiln in the future, use the heavier wire. Never use an extension cord.
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