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Half of a high alumina 10" round shelf designed for small top-loading round kilns. Measures approximately 1/2" thick.
Pressed High Alumina kiln shelves are ideal for fast and high firings and exhibit exceptional durability to cone 11. Comparable to silicon carbide in strength but at a fraction of the cost. Pressed production of these shelves creates an extremely dense and strong shelf that resists warping. Offers extra protection against thermal shock due to rapid firing and cooling. The alumina content of these shelves is 11-12% higher than the cordierite shelves most commonly used by potters today. Great to use in Gas kilns. Not recommended for salt and wood firing. Also high alumina and corderite shelves are not recommended for raku firings due to extreme and uneven temperature. Please note: there is no warranty on refractories! There are many factors that can cause shelves to fail over which we have no control. It is the nature of the material. Other than shipping damages, no claims can be made on refractories.
Half of a 15-1/2" round shelf designed for top-loading round kilns. Measures approximately 5/8" thick.
Pressed High Alumina kiln shelves are ideal for fast and high firings and exhibit exceptional durability to cone 11. Comparable to silicon carbide in strength but at a fraction of the cost. Pressed production of these shelves creates an extremely dense and strong shelf that resists warping. Offers extra protection against thermal shock due to rapid firing and cooling. The alumina content of these shelves is 11-12% higher than the cordierite shelves most commonly used by potters today. Great to use in Gas kilns. Not recommended for salt and wood firing. Also high alumina and corderite shelves are not recommended for raku firings due to extreme and uneven temperature. Please note: there is no warranty on refractories! There are many factors that can cause shelves to fail over which we have no control. It is the nature of the material. Other than shipping damages, no claims can be made on refractories.
A 21" round shelf designed for top-loading round kilns. Measures approximately 5/8" thick.
Pressed High Alumina kiln shelves are ideal for fast and high firings and exhibit exceptional durability to cone 11. Comparable to silicon carbide in strength but at a fraction of the cost. Pressed production of these shelves creates an extremely dense and strong shelf that resists warping. Offers extra protection against thermal shock due to rapid firing and cooling. The alumina content of these shelves is 11-12% higher than the cordierite shelves most commonly used by potters today. Great to use in Gas kilns. Not recommended for salt and wood firing. Also high alumina and corderite shelves are not recommended for raku firings due to extreme and uneven temperature. Please note: there is no warranty on refractories! There are many factors that can cause shelves to fail over which we have no control. It is the nature of the material. Other than shipping damages, no claims can be made on refractories.
These posts are safe to fire all the way up to cone 10. Square Kiln Post prices vary with height. If you have triangle posts, you can still use square posts in the same kiln load. It is more critical to make sure all of the posts under each shelf are the same height.
Our Nitride-Bonded Silicon Carbide Shelves are very thin (as thin as 0.394-inches thick), light-weight, and contain low thermal mass. This means giant savings on your back. That could pay for this investment right away. It also means that your kiln has more room for pottery rather than for the kiln shelves.
Nitride-bonded shelves are much stronger than ordinary silicon carbide shelves and they are much, much stronger than high alumina or other cordierite shelves. Nitride-bonded shelves are highly resistant to warping. They are rated for temperatures much higher than regular silicon carbide shelves. And their strength lends them to having a much longer working life than other kiln shelves. The larger shelves have expansion joints, which enhance their long life. The expansion joints relieve stress on the shelf during the expansion and contraction that takes place during firing and helps protect against cracking. Even without the expansion joints, Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide Shelves outlast most other types of kiln shelves, but this improves them further. Important Warnings (read before using your new shelves) WARNING! All silicon carbide shelves conduct electricity. When using these shelves in an electric kiln, avoid a serious electrical shock by following these guidelines: WARNING! Never insert or remove the shelves into an electric kiln when the kiln is in the ON position. All it takes is the shelf touching an element to cause an electrical shock. WARNING! Never load, unload or put your hands in the kiln when it is in the ON position. WARNING! Always repair loose elements so that they don't hang out of their slots allowing them to touch the silicon carbide shelves creating a "shocking environment!" WARNING! Although we are not aware of specific deteriorating, fracturing or exploding problems with our nitride bonded shelves, some other types of silicon carbide shelves have been known to explode when fired wet. To avoid such potential problems, don't allow your shelves to get wet!
Important Owner Information (read before using your new shelves) Clean your new shelves thoroughly upon receiving them. Silicon carbide has a tendency to abrade slightly during shipping causing a fine, silicon carbide grit to form on the surface, edges and in the expansion slits (not present on all shelves). Wipe off the shelves and slide a thin blade though the expansion slits to remove any particles and avoid "grit contamination" during firing. Some shelf sizes include expansion slits that help reduce breakage from thermal shock. The film of "white powder" on your shelves emerged from the silicon carbide material during the refractory firing. It will have no negative effect on your use of the shelves. During your first firing, you may experience a dark blotching or discoloration on both the surface of the shelves and the ware with which they come in contact. This results from a lack of oxygen in the firing environment. Conducting a pre-firing (without ware) in a full oxidation atmosphere can significantly reduce this discoloration. Just as with other silicon carbide shelves, your new nitride bonded shelves may be somewhat more prone to crack under severe thermal abuse than typical clay shelves. If you are new to silicon carbide shelves, or if your firings include exceptionally rapid cool-down or other harsh treatment, you may want to check with your dealer to determine steps you might take to prevent potential damage. Posting your shelves: Because of the lightweight, thin design of your nitride-bonded shelves, using three posts is not only the most efficient but also the most effective way to load your kiln. Three posts versus four helps negate any unevenness in the kilns floor and, more likely, in the posts themselves. It doesn't matter how strong the shelf, four uneven posts under one shelf will most surely result in a broken shelf – sooner or later! Note: It is difficult to make Nitride Bonded Kiln Shelves that are 100% flat. Our Affordable Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide Kiln Shelves are close and they are extremely resistant to further warping. Our standard is that they not be off by more than one half of one percent from the furthest length of the shelf (diagonal on rectangular shelves).
Use this silicon carbide kiln shelf cleaning block to remove glaze drips from kiln shelves. If glaze drips are left on a kiln shelf, they will melt again during firing and anything that comes into contact with it could stick to the shelf.
The LTL shipping option includes a 10% packing charge. This item is only available for pick up at our store or shipping via LTL Freight Carrier. It does NOT ship via FedEx/UPS/USPS. Please note: there is no warranty on refractories! There are many factors that can cause shelves to fail over which we have no control. It is the nature of the material. Other than shipping damages, no claims can be made on refractories.
The LTL shipping option includes a 10% packing charge. This item is only available for pick up at our store or shipping via LTL Freight Carrier. It does NOT ship via FedEx/UPS/USPS. Please note: there is no warranty on refractories! There are many factors that can cause shelves to fail over which we have no control. It is the nature of the material. Other than shipping damages, no claims can be made on refractories.
This item is only available for pick up at our store or shipping via LTL Freight Carrier. It does NOT ship via FedEx/UPS/USPS.
Please note: there is no warranty on refractories! There are many factors that can cause shelves to fail over which we have no control. It is the nature of the material. Other than shipping damages, no claims can be made on refractories.
A 13" round shelf designed for top-loading round kilns. Measures approximately 5/8" thick. Recommended for firing up to Cone 6. Please note: there is no warranty on refractories! There are many factors that can cause shelves to fail over which we have no control. It is the nature of the material. Other than shipping damages, no claims can be made on refractories.
This Large Bead Rack is designed for potters, jewelers and glass artists. It allows you to easily glaze fire beads, pendants, buttons, etc. - without the worry of them sticking to your kiln shelf. The entire rack gets placed in the kiln with your glazed pieces on it. This rack is made from two durable cast stoneware supports with six 10" long nichrome wires. The wires rest on grooves in the rack, so they can be easily rearranged to accommodate different size pieces. The wires are heavy gauge metal and can withstand multiple firings. We recommend that if you are firing heavy items, you use shorter wires. This rack can also accommodate 6" replacement wires. The Large Bead Rack measures approximately 6.5" in height. Maximum firing temperature is Cone 10 (2400 F).
This Small Bead Rack is designed for potters, jewelers and glass artists. It is ideal for smaller kilns or if you are limited with space. This rack allows you to easily glaze fire beads, pendants, buttons, etc. - without the worry of them sticking to your kiln shelf. The entire rack gets placed in the kiln with your glazed pieces on it. This rack is made from two durable cast stoneware supports with four 6" long nichrome wires. The wires rest on grooves in the rack, so they can be easily rearranged to accommodate different size pieces. The wires are heavy gauge metal and can withstand multiple firings. The Small Bead Rack measures approximately 2" in height. Maximum firing temperature is Cone 10 (2400 F).
The Roselli Bead Tree is designed to hold small beads with smaller sized holes. It is ideal for ceramicists, jewelers and glass artists. This bead tree allows you to easily glaze fire small beads, pendants, buttons, etc. - without the worry of them sticking to your kiln shelf. The entire tree gets placed in the kiln with your glazed pieces on it. Thie bead tree is made from durable cast stoneware with 12 wires. The wires are heavy gauge metal and can withstand multiple firings. Dimensions: 5"Hx 5"W and holds about 24 beads. This item includes 12 pieces of 2" wire. Maximum firing temperature is Cone 10 (2400 F). Maximum firing temperature is Cone 10 (2400 F).
4-1/4" from point to point. Suitable for Christmas trees, figures and other large forms. The C Series is a multipurpose stilt designed specifically to accommodate large, heavy pieces. They are strong and durable, as they are made from a high temperature clay body. They can be fired multiple times and withstand rugged treatment. The metal points are made from high quality metal alloy, making them sturdy and longlasting. The #12x15 stilt measures 4.25" from the tip of one arm to the tip of the next. Each arm has 5 metal points, for a total of 15 points. All the silts are rated to cone 10.
4-1/4" from point to point. Suitable for Christmas trees, figures and other large forms. The C Series is a multipurpose stilt designed specifically to accommodate large, heavy pieces. They are strong and durable, as they are made from a high temperature clay body. They can be fired multiple times and withstand rugged treatment. The metal points are made from high quality metal alloy, making them sturdy and longlasting. The #12x6 stilt measures 4.25" from the tip of one arm to the tip of the next. Each arm has 2 metal points, for a total of 6 points. All the silts are rated to cone 10.
The B Series is a multipurpose stilt designed specifically to accommodate small, but heavy, pieces. They are strong and durable, as they are made from a high temperature clay body. They can be fired multiple times and withstand rugged treatment. The metal points are made from high quality metal alloy, making them sturdy and longlasting. The #10x15 stilt measures 3.5" from the tip of one arm to the tip of the next. Each arm has 5 metal points, for a total of 15 points. All the silts are rated to cone 10.
image shown only indicates that it's a furniture kit and does not show the actual contents of this particular furniture kit This is high alumina kiln furniture that is rated to cone 11. INCLUDES:
Three 21" diameter full shelves Two 21" diameter half shelves Three each 1", 2", 6", and 8" posts Six 4" posts All posts are 1 3/4" square
Two kilograms kiln wash
Includes: one 10" diameter round kiln shelf three 1" kiln posts three 2" kiln posts two kilograms kiln wash image shown only indicates that it's a furniture kit and does not show the actual contents of this particular furniture kit
Almost every kiln that Skutt sells comes with a stand but most of them are designed to stay put. Trying to move them with the kiln setting on them could result in a broken stand or even worse a broken kiln, or even worse, a broken you. Often times you may want to move your kiln to clean under it or just get it out of the way when it is not being used. Think how nice it would be to get that car in the garage every once in a while. Our rolling stands are constructed out of heavy duty, welded square tubing and fitted with high quality, locking steel castors ont models designed for large kilns. Steel castors will not develop flat spots if they sit too long in one spot unlike rubber or plastic wheels. They provide the recommended clearances from the kiln to the floor and many are adjustable in order to raise the loading level to a height that is comfortable for you. This stand will position your kiln base 8" above the floor and is NOT adjustable.
We like these stilts because of their versatility. You can combine different sizes to accommodate almost any pot that you wish to fire. And because of the multiple metal points, these stilts can handle heavy pieces. The Series D #5B stilt is 3.25" in length and has 9 metal points All the silts are rated to cone 10.
Almost every kiln that Skutt sells comes with a stand but most of them are designed to stay put. Trying to move them with the kiln setting on them could result in a broken stand or even worse a broken kiln, or even worse, a broken you. Often times you may want to move your kiln to clean under it or just get it out of the way when it is not being used. Think how nice it would be to get that car in the garage every once in a while. Our rolling stands are constructed out of heavy duty, welded square tubing and fitted with high quality, locking steel castors ont models designed for large kilns. Steel castors will not develop flat spots if they sit too long in one spot unlike rubber or plastic wheels. They provide the recommended clearances from the kiln to the floor and many are adjustable in order to raise the loading level to a height that is comfortable for you. This stand will position your kiln base 8" above the floor and is NOT adjustable.
The staff at Bracker's think we can put together a post assortment based on our own experiences as well as the knowledge we've gleaned from our customers throughout the years. So here's what we've come up with, based on using 3 posts per shelf (either half or full): Includes 1-1/2" square posts in the following heights: 10 - 1" posts great for supporting the bottom shelf as well as stacking with another post for a little extra space 6 - 2" square posts for very small items, tiles, or for stacking with another post for extra space 12 - 4" square posts a very useful size for smaller projects 12 - 6" square posts a very popular and useful post height for most people 12 - 8" square posts place tall pots on the top shelf in the kiln, but when that isn't enough, these posts will help 1 pair Leather Welder's Kiln Gloves *These posts are safe to fire all the way up to cone 10!
Almost every kiln that Skutt sells comes with a stand but most of them are designed to stay put. Trying to move them with the kiln setting on them could result in a broken stand or even worse a broken kiln, or even worse, a broken you. Often times you may want to move your kiln to clean under it or just get it out of the way when it is not being used. Think how nice it would be to get that car in the garage every once in a while. Our rolling stands are constructed out of heavy duty, welded square tubing and fitted with high quality, locking steel castors ont models designed for large kilns. Steel castors will not develop flat spots if they sit too long in one spot unlike rubber or plastic wheels. They provide the recommended clearances from the kiln to the floor and many are adjustable in order to raise the loading level to a height that is comfortable for you. This stand will position your kiln base 8" above the floor and is NOT adjustable.
We like these stilts because of their versatility. You can combine different sizes to accommodate almost any pot that you wish to fire. And because of the multiple metal points, these stilts can handle heavy pieces. The Series E #2S stilt measures 1.25" from the tip of one arm to the tip of the next. Each arm has 3 metal points, for a total of 9. The length of inner metal rod measures 1.75". All the silts are rated to cone 10.
We like these stilts because of their versatility. You can combine different sizes to accommodate almost any pot that you wish to fire. And because of the multiple metal points, these stilts can handle heavy pieces. The Series F #3H stilt is 1.5" in height and measures 1.25" from point to point. All the silts are rated to cone 10.
image shown only indicates that it's a furniture kit and does not show the actual contents of this particular furniture kit This is high alumina kiln furniture that is rated to cone 11. INCLUDES:
Three 21" x 23" x 3/4" full square shelves Two 21" x 10-1/2" x 3/4" half square shelves Three each 1", 2", 6", and 8" posts Six 4" posts All posts are 1-3/4" square
Two kilograms kiln wash
Our Nitride-Bonded Silicon Carbide Shelves are very thin (as thin as 0.394-inches thick), light-weight, and contain low thermal mass. This means giant savings on your back. That could pay for this investment right away. It also means that your kiln has more room for pottery rather than for the kiln shelves.
Nitride-bonded shelves are much stronger than ordinary silicon carbide shelves and they are much, much stronger than high alumina or other cordierite shelves. Nitride-bonded shelves are highly resistant to warping. They are rated for temperatures much higher than regular silicon carbide shelves. And their strength lends them to having a much longer working life than other kiln shelves. The larger shelves have expansion joints, which enhance their long life. The expansion joints relieve stress on the shelf during the expansion and contraction that takes place during firing and helps protect against cracking. Even without the expansion joints, Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide Shelves outlast most other types of kiln shelves, but this improves them further. Important Warnings (read before using your new shelves) WARNING! All silicon carbide shelves conduct electricity. When using these shelves in an electric kiln, avoid a serious electrical shock by following these guidelines: WARNING! Never insert or remove the shelves into an electric kiln when the kiln is in the ON position. All it takes is the shelf touching an element to cause an electrical shock. WARNING! Never load, unload or put your hands in the kiln when it is in the ON position. WARNING! Always repair loose elements so that they don't hang out of their slots allowing them to touch the silicon carbide shelves creating a "shocking environment!" WARNING! Although we are not aware of specific deteriorating, fracturing or exploding problems with our nitride bonded shelves, some other types of silicon carbide shelves have been known to explode when fired wet. To avoid such potential problems, don't allow your shelves to get wet!
Important Owner Information (read before using your new shelves) Clean your new shelves thoroughly upon receiving them. Silicon carbide has a tendency to abrade slightly during shipping causing a fine, silicon carbide grit to form on the surface, edges and in the expansion slits (not present on all shelves). Wipe off the shelves and slide a thin blade though the expansion slits to remove any particles and avoid "grit contamination" during firing. Some shelf sizes include expansion slits that help reduce breakage from thermal shock. The film of "white powder" on your shelves emerged from the silicon carbide material during the refractory firing. It will have no negative effect on your use of the shelves. During your first firing, you may experience a dark blotching or discoloration on both the surface of the shelves and the ware with which they come in contact. This results from a lack of oxygen in the firing environment. Conducting a pre-firing (without ware) in a full oxidation atmosphere can significantly reduce this discoloration. Just as with other silicon carbide shelves, your new nitride bonded shelves may be somewhat more prone to crack under severe thermal abuse than typical clay shelves. If you are new to silicon carbide shelves, or if your firings include exceptionally rapid cool-down or other harsh treatment, you may want to check with your dealer to determine steps you might take to prevent potential damage. Posting your shelves: Because of the lightweight, thin design of your nitride-bonded shelves, using three posts is not only the most efficient but also the most effective way to load your kiln. Three posts versus four helps negate any unevenness in the kilns floor and, more likely, in the posts themselves. It doesn't matter how strong the shelf, four uneven posts under one shelf will most surely result in a broken shelf – sooner or later! Note: It is difficult to make Nitride Bonded Kiln Shelves that are 100% flat. Our Affordable Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide Kiln Shelves are close and they are extremely resistant to further warping. Our standard is that they not be off by more than one half of one percent from the furthest length of the shelf (diagonal on rectangular shelves).
image shown only indicates that it's a furniture kit and does not show the actual contents of this particular furniture kit This is high alumina kiln furniture that is rated to cone 11. INCLUDES:
Three 21" x 10-1/2" x 3/4" half square shelves Six 21" x 3/4" half round shelves Nine each 1", 2", 4, 6", and 8" posts All posts are 1-3/4" square Two kilograms kiln wash
image shown only indicates that it's a furniture kit and does not show the actual contents of this particular furniture kit This is high alumina kiln furniture that is rated to cone 11. INCLUDES:
Three 26" x 13" x 3/4" half square shelves Six 26" x 3/4" half round shelves Nine each 1", 2", 4, 6", and 8" posts All posts are 1-3/4" square Two kilograms kiln wash
[image is representative of Skutt furniture kits in general and does not reflect the actual items in this kit]INCLUDES:
1 - 9.25" x 10" full shelf (1/2" thick)
1 - 9.25" x 5" half shelf (1/2" thick)
3 each - 1", 2", 3", 4", 5", and 6" posts
8 oz. kiln wash
The LTL shipping option includes a 10% packing charge to cover the extra packing material used. Our Nitride-Bonded Silicon Carbide Shelves are very thin (as thin as 0.394-inches thick), light-weight, and contain low thermal mass. This means giant savings on your back. That could pay for this investment right away. It also means that your kiln has more room for pottery rather than for the kiln shelves. Nitride-bonded shelves are much stronger than ordinary silicon carbide shelves and they are much, much stronger than high alumina or other cordierite shelves. Nitride-bonded shelves are highly resistant to warping. They are rated for temperatures much higher than regular silicon carbide shelves. And their strength lends them to having a much longer working life than other kiln shelves. The larger shelves have expansion joints, which enhance their long life. The expansion joints relieve stress on the shelf during the expansion and contraction that takes place during firing and helps protect against cracking. Even without the expansion joints, Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide Shelves outlast most other types of kiln shelves, but this improves them further. Important Warnings (read before using your new shelves) WARNING! All silicon carbide shelves conduct electricity. When using these shelves in an electric kiln, avoid a serious electrical shock by following these guidelines: WARNING! Never insert or remove the shelves into an electric kiln when the kiln is in the ON position. All it takes is the shelf touching an element to cause an electrical shock. WARNING! Never load, unload or put your hands in the kiln when it is in the ON position. WARNING! Always repair loose elements so that they don't hang out of their slots allowing them to touch the silicon carbide shelves creating a "shocking environment!" WARNING! Although we are not aware of specific deteriorating, fracturing or exploding problems with our nitride bonded shelves, some other types of silicon carbide shelves have been known to explode when fired wet. To avoid such potential problems, don't allow your shelves to get wet!
Important Owner Information (read before using your new shelves) Clean your new shelves thoroughly upon receiving them. Silicon carbide has a tendency to abrade slightly during shipping causing a fine, silicon carbide grit to form on the surface, edges and in the expansion slits (not present on all shelves). Wipe off the shelves and slide a thin blade though the expansion slits to remove any particles and avoid "grit contamination" during firing. Some shelf sizes include expansion slits that help reduce breakage from thermal shock. The film of "white powder" on your shelves emerged from the silicon carbide material during the refractory firing. It will have no negative effect on your use of the shelves. During your first firing, you may experience a dark blotching or discoloration on both the surface of the shelves and the ware with which they come in contact. This results from a lack of oxygen in the firing environment. Conducting a pre-firing (without ware) in a full oxidation atmosphere can significantly reduce this discoloration. Just as with other silicon carbide shelves, your new nitride bonded shelves may be somewhat more prone to crack under severe thermal abuse than typical clay shelves. If you are new to silicon carbide shelves, or if your firings include exceptionally rapid cool-down or other harsh treatment, you may want to check with your dealer to determine steps you might take to prevent potential damage. Posting your shelves: Because of the lightweight, thin design of your nitride-bonded shelves, using three posts is not only the most efficient but also the most effective way to load your kiln. Three posts versus four helps negate any unevenness in the kilns floor and, more likely, in the posts themselves. It doesn't matter how strong the shelf, four uneven posts under one shelf will most surely result in a broken shelf – sooner or later! Note: It is difficult to make Nitride Bonded Kiln Shelves that are 100% flat. Our Affordable Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide Kiln Shelves are close and they are extremely resistant to further warping. Our standard is that they not be off by more than one half of one percent from the furthest length of the shelf (diagonal on rectangular shelves).
[image is representative of Skutt furniture kits in general and does not reflect the actual items in this kit]INCLUDES:
1 - 13" full shelf (5/8" thick)
1 - 6.5" x 13" half shelf (5/8" thick)
3 each - 1", 2", 3", 4", 5", and 6" posts
8 oz. kiln wash
Our Nitride-Bonded Silicon Carbide Shelves are very thin (as thin as 0.394-inches thick), light-weight, and contain low thermal mass. This means giant savings on your back. That could pay for this investment right away. It also means that your kiln has more room for pottery rather than for the kiln shelves.
Nitride-bonded shelves are much stronger than ordinary silicon carbide shelves and they are much, much stronger than high alumina or other cordierite shelves. Nitride-bonded shelves are highly resistant to warping. They are rated for temperatures much higher than regular silicon carbide shelves. And their strength lends them to having a much longer working life than other kiln shelves. The larger shelves have expansion joints, which enhance their long life. The expansion joints relieve stress on the shelf during the expansion and contraction that takes place during firing and helps protect against cracking. Even without the expansion joints, Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide Shelves outlast most other types of kiln shelves, but this improves them further. Important Warnings (read before using your new shelves) WARNING! All silicon carbide shelves conduct electricity. When using these shelves in an electric kiln, avoid a serious electrical shock by following these guidelines: WARNING! Never insert or remove the shelves into an electric kiln when the kiln is in the ON position. All it takes is the shelf touching an element to cause an electrical shock. WARNING! Never load, unload or put your hands in the kiln when it is in the ON position. WARNING! Always repair loose elements so that they don't hang out of their slots allowing them to touch the silicon carbide shelves creating a "shocking environment!" WARNING! Although we are not aware of specific deteriorating, fracturing or exploding problems with our nitride bonded shelves, some other types of silicon carbide shelves have been known to explode when fired wet. To avoid such potential problems, don't allow your shelves to get wet!
Important Owner Information (read before using your new shelves) Clean your new shelves thoroughly upon receiving them. Silicon carbide has a tendency to abrade slightly during shipping causing a fine, silicon carbide grit to form on the surface, edges and in the expansion slits (not present on all shelves). Wipe off the shelves and slide a thin blade though the expansion slits to remove any particles and avoid "grit contamination" during firing. Some shelf sizes include expansion slits that help reduce breakage from thermal shock. The film of "white powder" on your shelves emerged from the silicon carbide material during the refractory firing. It will have no negative effect on your use of the shelves. During your first firing, you may experience a dark blotching or discoloration on both the surface of the shelves and the ware with which they come in contact. This results from a lack of oxygen in the firing environment. Conducting a pre-firing (without ware) in a full oxidation atmosphere can significantly reduce this discoloration. Just as with other silicon carbide shelves, your new nitride bonded shelves may be somewhat more prone to crack under severe thermal abuse than typical clay shelves. If you are new to silicon carbide shelves, or if your firings include exceptionally rapid cool-down or other harsh treatment, you may want to check with your dealer to determine steps you might take to prevent potential damage. Posting your shelves: Because of the lightweight, thin design of your nitride-bonded shelves, using three posts is not only the most efficient but also the most effective way to load your kiln. Three posts versus four helps negate any unevenness in the kilns floor and, more likely, in the posts themselves. It doesn't matter how strong the shelf, four uneven posts under one shelf will most surely result in a broken shelf – sooner or later! Note: It is difficult to make Nitride Bonded Kiln Shelves that are 100% flat. Our Affordable Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide Kiln Shelves are close and they are extremely resistant to further warping. Our standard is that they not be off by more than one half of one percent from the furthest length of the shelf (diagonal on rectangular shelves).
