Is there an easy way to verify temp in my kiln?

[Travis Fry]

I have a feeling that my thermocouple reads lower than the actual temperature, making it difficult to know what temperature I'm actually getting in my kiln. Low temp tests with an oven thermometer have verified this, but I need something more precise at high temps so I can graph the difference and get more precision. I'd like to do something relatively inexpensive if possible.

 

[silver_pilate]

Well, the curie point where steel becomes non-magnetic is 1414F. Set it for 1400 and check it with a telescoping magnet. It should stick. Then set it for 1420 and re-check. It should not stick. That will tell you if you're in the ball park.

--nathan

 

[argel55]

Ceramic shops should have temp cones which will help you. They melt at certain temps - used by the pottery side.

 

[KnifeMaker.ca]

Ceramic cones are not useful for this purpose. They don't show temperature. They show heat work.

A pyrometer would be the right way.... but not so cheap. Maybe you could borrow one.

Rob!

 

[deker]

I second the high temp cones and will add Tempilsticks.

-d

 

[12345678910]

Tempilsticks.

-d

They work.

Keep them indoors

Don't leave them in a tool chest in a shop that freezes.

The stick goes to h@ll, absorbs moisture, crumbles then will bubble paint and rust everything it can touch.

 

[sunshadow]

Nathan is right on on this one set it at 1400 with a piece of steel in it, once it has been there for at least 15 minutes do the magnet test, raise it 5 degrees , let it aquilibrate for 10 minutes at that, if still magnetic good, raise another 5 degrees, still magnetic, good, another 5 (1415) you should be non-magnetic (1414 is the magic temperature) Adjust things until you lose magnetism when your temp is reading between 1410 1nd 1415

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