Help - kiln lid breaking...

[NRichards]

Please help, I've just opened my kiln (Paragon Fusion 16) to put some more work in and there was a chunk of the kiln lid fallen off on to the shelf. is this normal? I've only had the kiln since December and not really overused it as don't seem to get enough time.

Will it still be safe to use? I'm gutted.

Thanks

Naomi

[chipperpottery]

Go back to where you bought it, it shouldn't do that in such a short time.

[NRichards]

Really? I'm so upset. I'll send them an email with the photo's of it and see what they say.

Thanks

[chipperpottery]

You can't lose anything for trying.

[Zeldazog]

Don't fret about using it, unless so much has fell off that the element is hanging out, it will be fine to use.

I think the lid on the Fusion is the same as on the Hotstart, it's actually quite thin and brittle - a few bits broke off mine too, but I can't remember how quickly, and they weren't ever so big, *and* I wasn't sure if I caused the problem myself - I can remember coming across a post by Dennis Brady explaining how venting the kiln at high temperatures can cause the lid to become extra brittle.

But I would agree with Rita, contact the supplier and see what they say.

[Lee - Kilncare]

Simple answer here...it is the hazard of having bricks over glass. Bricks always have the chance of breaking or chipping during the firing and so it is an occupational hazard to this type of kiln.

However, the American way of brick lids over glass is becoming the norm here in the UK and so it is something we will all have to get used too. We too are looking at a kiln of this type...because it is better.....hell no....because it is cheaper and people will buy it....well it certainly looks that way.

Contact your supplier is my advice and see how you get on.

[NRichards]

Thank you everybody for your advice. I contacted the company I bought it off and they are sending me some Kiln Patch repair free of charge. Hope that will sort it. I thought it would be alright but when you've invested money in something you kind of dont expect it to be falling apart in the first 6 months.

Thanks again!!

[Lee - Kilncare]

Be interesting to see how that holds together. Let us know how you get on.

[Pat from Canvey]

One or two of the bricks of my old ceramic kiln broke from the door because I was doing combing of glass and the bricks expanded when very very hot. Opening the door to comb put pressure on the bricks. I glued them back with fire cement after champfering them slightly. I suspect the kiln patch repair might be something similar to the cement. I think I bought mine at Wickes.