FireBox LT

Models 8x6 and 8x4

Operating Manual

6441 Se Johnson Creek Blvd. Portland, OR 97206 (503) 774--6000 skutt.com

www.skutt.com Rev. 7/29/13

2 Safety
What’s Inside

Safety......................................2-3 Advanced Programming.......................17

Getting Started........................4-5 Display Messages................................18-19

Programming Overview............6-7 Troubleshooting...................................20-21

Cone Fire Mode.......................8-9 Programs.............................................22

Glass Fire Mode......................10-11 Wiring Diagram...................................23

PMC.......................................12-13 Program Notes.....................................24

Ramp/Hold.............................14-16

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 ob-
serve the following safety recommendations:

Operation
• The stainless steel jacket and some of the other fixtures surrounding 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. We recommend posting warning signs of this potential hazard in the kiln room.

• Keep anyone who cannot understand warning signs such as small children and pets away from the kiln
when it is firing.

• Do not open the kiln door while the kiln is heated.

• The elements inside the kiln chamber will cause an electrical shock if touched. Never insert metal instru-
ments or place any part of your body into the kiln while it is firing.

• Always be sure the kiln is disconnected from the power supply before working on the electrical compo-
nents.

• Plan on being with the kiln when it is scheduled to turn off.

• 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 weld-
ers green or gray glasses will protect your eyes.

• In the event of a severe storm, unplug the kiln. Exposure to static shock or electrical surges can damage
the circuit board in the controller.

• Do not place anything in the kiln you are unsure of. Certain items may potentially melt, explode, or release
toxic fumes. Items that may be damp (i.e. greenware, kiln shelves) have the potential to crack or explode
inside the kiln when the moisture is trapped inside them turns to vapor when heated.

• Never allow your kiln to exceed the temperature rating listed on the serial plate.

• For your safety, the protection of your kiln, and the protection of your ware inside the kiln, we recommend
that you avoid unloading the kiln when it is above 125ºF.
2
 Safety 3

Precautions for the KilnMaster LT Controller

• The controller is a temperature control device. It is not a safety device.

• The maximum operating temperature is 100ºF (38ºC). This temperature refers to the room temperature
while the kiln is firing and does not pertain to the internal temperature of the kiln.

• The minimum operating temperature is 33ºF (1ºC).

• The controller contains static-sensitive parts that may be damaged by static electricity. Use caution to avoid
creating static that may damage the equipment. In areas where static electricity is common, or during dry
times of the year throughout the country, touch something metal before touching the controller to dis-
charge the static.

Installation
• As with all electrical products, there is danger of electrical shock. Use only properly sized and rated copper
wire when installing the power supply for your kiln. We recommend this work be done by a licensed electrician.
• Kilns should always be located in a dry place to prevent electrical shock and corrosion.
• Follow all instructions for installation in this manual. Always observe fire and building safety codes when
installing any Skutt Product.
• If there are fire sprinklers located in the kiln room, make sure they are rated high enough so they will not be set
off when the kiln is at peak temperature. This should be tested with the kiln at peak temperature, the ventilation
system turned off, the sprinklers disabled and all doors and windows closed for maximum assurance during test.
• We recommend having a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires easily accessible near the kiln.
• Skutt Ceramic Products Inc. will not assume liability for injury or damages caused by variations from the
instructions put forth in this manual.
• Kilns get hot. Observe all the instructions to ensure proper clearances from flammable or temperature sensitive
objects and living things.
• Ventilation is key to maintaining a healthy work environment and proper room temperature. To ensure proper
ventilation and room temperature is maintained, consult a qualified HVAC professional.
• The proper placement of thermocouples is crucial to the operation of all automatically controlled kilns. Check all
thermocouples for damage and correct placement. Thermocouples must protrude into the kiln chamber at least
1” to ensure an accurate reading.
• The power cord is sized correctly to handle the power for your particular kiln. Never use an extension cord.
• Make sure the power cord is routed in such a way as to not touch any portion of the kiln that gets hot.
• Be careful of pinch hazards when working on or assembling the kiln.

Maintenance
• Always unplug the kiln before performing any repairs or general maintenance.
• Use only Skutt replacement parts. Improperly sourced parts may pose a hazard to you and your kiln and void
your warranty.
• Never modify your kiln without first consulting Skutt. Improper modifications may pose a hazard to you and
your kiln and void your warranty. Items such as alternative thermocouples, controllers, kiln coatings may ruin
your kiln if improperly installed or applied.
• Replace any electrical components that are discolored, brittle, or corroded.
• 3 If they loosen, tighten them as much as possible to
Inspect all stainless steel bands to ensure they are tight.
prevent the band from slipping or flexing.
4 Getting Started
Read Your Manual
Reading your manual and watching your video before you start firing will improve your firing success. It will give you a
sense of confidence that will make your kiln owning experience much more enjoyable and safe. Each programming sec-
tion will give you a basic understanding of the technique (i.e. Bisque Fire, Slumping Glass, or Firing PMC Gold) along
with step by step instructions for programming.

Visit www.kilnarts.com
There is no way to cover everything you need to know in this kiln manual so we developed KilnArts.org as an
additional resource. It has basic information about Ceramics, Glass and PMC along with web tools that help
you locate places to take classes and find supplies in your area.

We highly suggest you take classes to further your knowledge and understanding of the world of Fired Arts.
The more you learn, the more successful your projects will be and the more opportunities you will find for new
and interesting projects.

Box Includes:
• FireBox LT Kiln

• 7” by 7” Kiln Shelf

• 3 - 1/2” Kiln Shelf Posts

• Operating Manual

• 1 Pyrometric Cone (04)

• 1 lb Kiln Wash

• Instructional DVD

Inspecting your Kiln

Your kiln may have a traveled a long way to get to you and
on rare occasion, freight damage may occur. Inspect your kiln
for any obvious physical damage when you unpack the kiln.
Minor imperfections in the brick are normal and expected,
large cracks and broken out chunks are not. If you notice
damage to your kiln or any missing items call Skutt at 1-866-858-0588 . Be sure to have your
kiln’s serial number on hand. This is located on the side of the control box. A Skutt technician will walk you through the
process of repairing or replacing your kiln. If a return is required you will need to re-pack the kiln using the original
packing materials and return it along with your receipt for the product.

Warranty Registration
You Skutt kiln comes with a 2 year limited warranty. You can find the details of this warranty in the back of this
manual. Please be sure to go to www.skutt.com and click on Warranty Registration to register your warranty.
This will speed up the processing of any warranty claims and ensure you are notified of any product change
information.
 Getting Started 5

Locating the Kiln

• Install in a well ventilated, sheltered area such as a carport, garage, utility or hobby room. Allow a minimum
18 inches (46 cm) of space between your kiln and adjacent walls, other kilns, shelving, etc. When multiple kilns
will be installed in the same room, make sure the control boxes on the kiln are not facing adjacent kilns. Radiant
heat from nearby kilns can damage the controller.
• For small rooms, monitor the firing so room temperatures do not exceed 100ºF (38ºC). Do not fire if room
temperatures are 32ºF (0ºC) or less as damage to the kiln may result.
• Locate the kiln on a noncombustible surface such as bare cement or ceramic tile. If a non combustible surface is
not available, the uniform mechanical code requires two inches of masonry below the kiln extending a minimum
of 12” (31 cm) beyond the outside circumference of the kiln.
• When installing a kiln in a room with a fire control sprinkler system, do not place kilns within a 10 ft. (3m)
radius below sprinkler heads. If this is not possible, contact Skutt for alternative solutions before installing.
• All kilns are vulnerable to the highly corrosive effects of marine air. If you live near salt water, locate the kiln
indoors and protect it from damp air.

Coating Shelves With Kiln Wash

Kiln wash is a high alumina powder that you mix with water then paint on your kiln shelf. When dry it has a powdery
look and feel to it. It is designed to protect your kiln shelf in case something melts onto it. The kiln wash act as a barrier,
protecting the shelf from the molten material.

1. Mix kiln wash with water until it is the consistency of heavy cream.

2. Use a brush to paint a thin layer on one side of the shelf and let it dry.

3. Brush on another thin layer making your strokes perpendicular to the first brush strokes and let dry.

Placing the Shelf

The shelf should be placed in the center of the kiln on top of the 3 evenly spaced shelf posts that came with the
kiln. Be careful not to hit the thermocouple when placing the shelf. Do not try to load the shelf while there is
power to the kiln.

Test Firing the Kiln

It is always a good idea to run a test fire before you fire your kiln with valuable art inside. We have included a
Pyrometric Cone with your kiln to help. Place the cone on the shelf about 2 inches from the thermocouple and
chamber wall, close the lid, and follow the instructions in this manual for programming a Cone 04 Cone Fire
Mode program.

After you press start the kiln will run the program. It should take approximately 7.5 hours to fire then needs
to cool. You may see a little smoke. This is just some residual oil burning off the elements. When the kiln has
cooled to room temperature open the lid and inspect the cone. It should now be bent over. The more it bends
the more heatwork. Below are images of cones with varying degree of bends. If your cone falls within the ac-
ceptable range you are good to go. If your cones do not fall within this range chances are your kiln just needs
a slight adjustment. Contact a Skutt Technician at 866-858-0588. To purchase more cones when needed go to
www.kilnarts.org and find a dealer near you.

5
6 Programming Overview

Programming Modes
Your kiln is equipped with the KilnMaster LT Controller, one of the most advanced 3 Button Controllers in the
industry. As you can see in the diagram below it offers you 4 different programming modes and an option to
change the temperature scale to either Celsius or Fahrenheit. The diagram illustrates the various programming
steps. For more detailed instructions on entering a particular program, refer to the instructions for program-
ming later in the manual.

Three of these modes, Cone Fire, Glass Fire and PMC have firing programs designed by experts already
stored in the controllers permanent memory. All you have to do is give it some basic information specific to
your project and .press start. It really is that easy.

For those of you that want to design your own programs there is Ramp and Hold programming mode. With
Ramp/Hold you can input programs with up to 8 segments and store up to 5 programs for future use.

FROM IDLE

CONE FIRE GLASS FIRE PMC RAMP/HOLD Change °

ENTER PREHEAT TIME CHOOSE FIRING SPEED CHOOSE A PMC PROGRAM CHOOSE LOAD OR PRO CHOOSE TEMP SCALE

ENTER CONE VALUE CHOOSE A TECHNIQUE ADJUST PEAK TEMP CHOOSE A PROGRAM # PRESS ENTER

CHOOSE FIRING SPEED ADJUST PEAK TEMP ADJUST PEAK HOLD ENTER # OF SEGMENTS

ENTER A HOLD TIME ADJUST PEAK HOLD PRESS REVIEW ENTER RATE #1

PRESS REVIEW PRESS REVIEW PRESS START ENTER TEMP #1

PRESS START PRESS START ENTER HOLD TIME #1

ENTER NEXT SEGMENT DATA

CHOOSE LOAD OR PRO

TO LOAD A PROGRAM YOU HAVE ENTER NEXT SEGMENT DATA

WRITTEN AND STORED PRESS ENTER
VALUES IN DOTTED BOXES ONLY NEED THEN SELECT THE PROGRAM NUMBER,
TO BE CHANGED IF THE FACTORY PRESS ENTER TO SELECT IT, PRESS REVIEW PRESS REVIEW
SET VALUES DO NOT PRODUCE THE AND THEN PRESS START.
RESULTS YOU DESIRE. GLASS FIRE MODE
ADJUSTMENTS WILL ONLY APPEAR IF KILN TO WRITE A NEW PROGRAM PRESS PRESS START
IS IN MODIFY GLASS FIRE MODE. SEE THE UP ARROW. THE DISPLAY SHOULD
ADVANCED PROGRAMMING 6
READ PRO. PRESS ENTER TO SELECT IT
AND THEN CONTINUE TO WRITE YOUR
PROGRAM
 Programming Overview 7

Button Descriptions
The Start/Stop/Enter key is used for exactly those purposes. Use it to “Start” programming your kiln or to
“Start” a firing. If the kiln is firing and you need to shut it down, use it to “Stop” the firing. Lastly it is used to
“Enter” a selection.

Use the Up or Down buttons to scroll through menu options or scroll to a time or temperature value. In certain
controller modes they can also serve a single function action or provide access to a sub-menu. Consult the
table below.

Entering Time and Temperature

When using the up and down arrows to select a time or temperature it is helpful to know that the longer you
hold the button down, the faster it moves through the numbers. This helps you reach numbers quickly when the
currently stored value is far away from the desired value. It can be easy to overshoot your value so you will
want to release the button before you arrive at your value and then slowly approach it. Releasing the button
automatically reverts it back to the slowest advancing speed. For single increments simply press and release
the key each time.

When entering a Hold Time it is extremely important to know that, unlike a microwave, everything to the left of
the decimal light is hours and everything to the right is minutes. Entering excessive hold times can cause dam-
age to your kiln and its contents.

Controller Modes Controller Mode Start/Stop Key Up Arrow Down Arrow

Press once to review
A “Controller Mode” (as opposed to Idle Initiates Programming No Function Press twice to go to
a Programming Mode) is simply the “redi”

current state of the controller. The chart Programming

Stores Displayed
Increases Value Decreases Value
Value
below shows you the basic functions of
Reviews Current
the keys at five different Modes. You Ready Starts Firing No Function
Program
will notice that the function of the key Shows Current
can vary depending on which Mode is Segment Access to
Reviews Current
During Firing Stops the Firing Skip Segment
Program
active. When you first plug the kiln into Add Time
Add Temp
the receptacle the controller will be in
Idle Mode. This means it is ready to be At Complete Back to Idle No Function No Function
programmed. Once you press Enter you
will move into Programming Mode. After
you have entered the data for your program it will switch to Ready Mode. This means the kiln is ready to run
the program when you push Start.

During The Firing you can access certain features that tell you where you are in the program and allow you
to make adjustments while the kiln is firing. The final mode is Complete. The display will flash CPLT alternately
with the temperature of the kiln chamber and the amount of time it took to fire the program. To return to Idle
Mode just press Enter. When the kiln first enters Complete Mode the alarm will beep 14 times.

Getting to back to Idle

“IdLE”Mode is where all programming starts. When power is applied, the display will briefly flash Lt2G and then
flash IdLe along with the current temperature. Sometimes you make a mistake when programming and want to start
over. To get back to IdLE, you will need to finish entering all of the information for that program, start the program
and then stop the program. You can also unplug the kiln. When you plug it back in it will return to IdLE.
7
8 Cone Fire Mode
Overview
Cone Fire Mode was developed by Ceramic Engineers to provide artists with an easier way to
fire their kiln. In the past artists had to use Pyrometric Cones. Pyrometric Cones are pyramid
shaped clay formulations which were designed to bend when they received the appropriate
amount of heatwork for the clay or glaze inside the kiln. The artist would look into the kiln
through peep holes and when the cone softened and bent, they would shut off the kiln. This is
why every clay and glaze has a cone value associated with it.

Cones used in electric kilns range from 022 to 10. It is helpful to think of the “0” as a minus
sign. The higher the number, the higher the temperature. For example a Cone 04 is hotter
than a Cone 06 and a Cone 6 is much hotter than a cone 06.

Thanks to modern electronics we can now simulate the heatwork measured by cones with
Electronic Kiln Controllers. Cones are used primarily for testing and troubleshooting your kiln today. An added
bonus of controllers is that we can more accurately control the firing speeds before and after the kiln reaches
peak temperature to produce special glaze effects and protect fragile pieces through critical firing ranges.

Preheat
The first question the controller asks you when you are using ConeFire
Mode is “How Long Do You Want To Pre-Heat?”. Preheat was intro-
duced to help prevent ceramic pieces in the kiln from cracking due to
rapidly escaping moisture in the piece. Water turns to steam at 212 °F
(100 °C). If you fire fast, the steam wants to escape, and when it does,
it can crack or shatter your ware.

An easy way to tell if a piece is still wet is to hold it up to your cheek.

If it feels cool it still has moisture in it. Under normal conditions smaller
pieces (like the ones that would fit in your kiln) take about a week to
dry.

If you are not sure if your ware is completely dry, adding a preheat time
is good insurance. Usually 1 to 2 hours is sufficient. When a Preheat
time is entered the kiln rises in temperature at a much slower rate than
normal until it reaches 180°F (82 °C) and then holds at that tempera-
ture for the amount of time you entered. During this Hold time you will
see the kiln counting down the time alternately with the current tempera-
ture of the kiln.

Remember that when you are entering time in your controller that the
numbers to the left of the decimal equal hours and the numbers to the right of the decimal equal minutes.

Cone 04, Medium Speed

Entering Cone Value 2000
1800
1946∞
Every commercial clay and glaze should have a cone value of 1600
Temperature (∞F)

1694∞
1400

or range of cones printed on the label. It is very important not to

1200
1150∞
1000
1000∞
800
exceed this rating. Raw materials used in clay and glazes can vary 600
400
drastically on their melting point. Earthen Ware clays generally fire 250∞
200
0

in the 04 - 06 range. Porcelain and Stoneware generally fire in the Hours 2 0 4 6 8 10 12

6 - 10 range. If you fired earthen ware to Stoneware temperatures it

would most likely melt all over the shelf. If you are ever unsure of the cone value of a particular clay or glaze
ask your clay supplier. They should also have good knowledge
8 of the preferred Cone Values to use when firing
greenware (Bisque Firing) or when firing glazed bisque (Glaze Firing).
 Cone Fire Mode 9

Entering Firing Speed

With Ceramics there are certain critical temperature ranges where it is important to slow down the firing
rate. Cone Fire Mode takes care of most of this for you. All you have to do is select one of three firing
speeds; Slow, Medium or Fast.

Slow is generally for your bisque firing (clay is dried but has not yet been From IdLE
fired). Medium is recommended for your glaze firing. All the water should Press ENTER
be completely out of the piece and most of the organics have burned out
so you can fire a bit faster. If you have an unusually large or thick piece
you may want stick with Slow just to be safe. Fast is only recommended for
Decals and Lusters.
Use arrow keys to select
C-Fr
Selecting a Hold Time
When you enter a hold time, you are telling the kiln to maintain the peak tem-
Press ENTER
perature for the amount of time you have entered. A 5 minute hold time can allow
the kiln time to even out and make sure all the glazes are flowing nice. If you
Hold too long, you start to affect the amount of heatwork. Just as you wouldn’t
want to cook food too long, don’t enter too long of a hold time. Remember, the
numbers to the left of the decimal represents hours and everything to the right of Enter preheat time
the decimal represents minutes.

Cone Fire Programming

1. Start with the display reading “IdLE”, Press ENTER.

2. If “C-Fr” is displayed, press ENTER, else press an arrow key to display

Enter Cone #
“C-Fr” and then press ENTER.

3. Display reads “PrHt”. The Preheat Time is the length of time you will
hold at 180 °F (82 °C). Use the arrow key to adjust the Preheat Time
and then press ENTER to store the value. REMEMBER the time is dis-
played in the form HH.mm. H= hours, m=minutes
Enter speed
4. Display reads current stored Cone #. Enter new Cone #. Use the Ar-
row Keys to display the desired Cone #. The Up Arrow moves toward
a hotter Cone # and the Down Arrow moves toward a Cone #. Press
ENTER to store the displayed Cone #.
Enter Hold Time
5. Display reads current stored Heating Rate. Use the arrow keys to dis- at top temperature
play “SLo” (Slow) , “MEd” (Medium) or “FASt” (Fast) and then press
ENTER.

6. Display reads current stored Hold Time. Typical hold times are in the
5 minute (00.05) to 10 minute (00.10) range. Use the arrow keys to Press Down Arrow
display the desired hold time and then press ENTER to store the value. to Review Program

7. The display will read “rEdI”. Press the Down Arrow to Review the
Program.

8. If the program is correct, Press ENTER to start the firing. rEdI

Press ENTER to
9 start firing
10 Glass Fire Mode
Overview
Glass Fire Mode was developed by Skutt in order to provide
glass artists with a simple way to fire their glass projects without
having to be an expert in programming. The built-in programs
were designed by glass artist Gil Reynolds to work with the
two most popular types of fusible glass, COE 90 and COE 96.
Fusible glass is glass that is specifically designed to be “compat-
ible” when fused together. Glass that is compatible will have the
same Coefficient of Expansion (COE). This means it will expand
and contract at the same rate when it is heated and cooled.
Glass that has different COE’s will create stress in the piece
when it is fired and will likely crack. So when choosing glass
for your project be careful never to mix your COE 90 and COE
96 and never use glass that was not specifically designed to be
compatible.

Glass Fire Mode has programs available for Slumping, Fusing, and Tac Fusing. All the programs are carefully designed
to prevent shocking the piece while it is heating or cooling and for proper annealing. The programs vary based on the
size and thickness of the piece you are firing. The wider and/or thicker the piece, the slower you need to fire it and the
longer you need to anneal it.

Glass gets “shocked” when one potion of the glass heats or cools faster then another portion. By slowing the firing you
limit the potential for this to happen.

Annealing has more to do with the glass transforming from a fluid state back to a rigid state when it is cooled. You want
all the molecules to go through this transition at the same time and at the same rate. This happens generally between
750°F (399 °C) and 1000°F (538 °C). The controller will slow down the cooling rate of the kiln through this period
by cycling the heating elements on and off. Once past this range the kiln will shut off and cool at a natural rate. Never
open the lid until the kiln has cooled completely.

To program the kiln you will need to give it two pieces of information; What Speed and What Process?. You may have
to make slight adjustments to the peak temperature and hold time to adjust for certain projects but for the most part you
will stick with the factory settings.

Speed
As mentioned earlier, the speed you choose will depend on the size of the project. We have made it simple for you by
providing this chart to make your selection. If you have multiple pieces in the kiln at once, use the speed that corre-
sponds with the largest piece. You rarely have problems firing too slow.

10
 Glass Fire Mode 11

Process From idle

Process refers to what you want to do with the glass; Slump, Tac Fuse or Full Fuse Press Enter

Slumping
Slumping is when you place glass over or into a mold (specifically designed
for slumping) and heat the glass until it becomes soft enough to conform to the Use arrow keys to select
shape of the mold. You can slump into a concave ceramic mold or over a convex GLAS
metal mold. Both molds need to be coated with kiln wash which is available at
most Art Glass and Ceramic Supply locations. The ones made specifically for Press Enter
glass tend to work a little better than the ones used for ceramics.
You can slump a single piece of glass or multiple pieces that have been previous-
ly fused together. When fusing over a convex mold be sure the glass will clear
the thermocouple as it falls over the mold. Use arrow keys to select
Tac Fusing SLo, MEd, or FASt
Tac Fusing, otherwise known as Fuse to Stick, is used when you want to soften
two or more pieces of glass to the point where they stick together but the glass Press Enter
components do not deform. A variation on Tac Fusing is Texture Fusing. This is
where you increase the temperature to the point where the pieces start to join
together but do not become one individual piece.
Full Fusing Use arrow keys to select
Full Fusing is exactly what it sounds like. This is when multiple pieces of glass are SLP, tAC or FULL
fully fused together to the point they become one piece.
Press Enter
Most glass comes in 1/8th inch (3.2 mm) thick sheets. Fused glass will try to
achieve a thickness of 1/4 inch (6.4 mm). Therefore, if you are fusing 3 or more
layers you will need to plan on the glass spreading out as it becomes fluid. Plan
your shelf space accordingly so the glass does not flow off the shelf or into other
pieces. Use arrow keys to select
Adjust Peak Temperature
Glass Fire Programming if Desired
1. Start with the display reading “IdLE”, Press ENTER.
Press Enter
2. Select Glass Fire Mode. If “GLAS” is displayed, press ENTER, else press an
Arrow Key to display “GLAS” and then press ENTER.

3. Display reads Firing Speed currently stored. Use the Arrow Keys to scroll to
Use arrow keys to select
the desired Speed and press ENTER Adjust Hold Time if
4. Display reads Process currently stored. Use the arrow keys to scroll to the Desired
desired Process and press ENTER.
Press Enter
5. Adjust Temperature. Use the arrow keys to adjust the peak temperature if
desired and Press ENTER. To keep factory Temperature Setting Press ENTER.

6. Adjust Hold Time. Use the arrow keys to adjust the peak temperature Hold
Press Down Arrow
Time if desired and Press ENTER. To keep factory Hold Time Setting, Press to Review Program
ENTER.

7. The display will read “rEdI”. Press the Down Arrow to Review the Program.

8. READY “rEdi” You are now at ready. Press “enter” to start the firing. rEdI
11
Press Enter to
start firing
12 PMC Mode
Overview
PMC or Precious Metal Clay was developed in 1990 in Japan. It is made of fine particles of precious metal
which are mixed with organic binders to form a clay like substance that can be molded into jewelry. Once you
have the shape you want, you place it in the kiln and fire it until the binder burns out and the particles sinter
together. The result is a nearly pure metal object.

The most common versions shrink about 12% to 15% from their original form and are composed of Silver or
Gold. There is also PMC made of Copper and Bronze. These metals require a reduction atmosphere to de-
velope properly. Reduction Atmospheres have the potential to reduce the life of your heating elements and
therefore we are not recommending their use in your kiln.

Choosing a Program

Your controller has built in programs to fire the most commonly used PMC brands, PMC+, PMC3 and PMC
Gold. There is a Fast and Slow program for each type of PMC. Choose the Fast speed if yo want quick results
and the Slow speed if you have a little more time. The Slower speed should produce a stronger and more pure
piece. Like regular clay it is important to let your piece dry completely before placing it in the kiln. When it is
done firing it will be necessary to use a wire brush to remove a whitish film that develops on the piece during
the firing. The 6 programs are as follows:

PROGRAM DETAILS

Display Program Rate Temp Hold

PP - F PMC + - Fast 9999 1650 F (899 °C) 10 Min

PP - S PMC+ - Slow 9999 1650 F (899 °C) 2 Hrs

P3 - F PMC3 - Fast 9999 1290 F (699°C) 10 Min

P3 - S PMC3 - Slow 9999 1650 F (899 °C) 2 Hrs

GLdF PMC Gold - Fast 9999 1380 F (749 °C) 1 Hr

GLdS PMC Gold - Slow 9999 1650 F (899 °C) 10 Min

PMC Programming
1. Start with the display reading IdLE, Press ENTER.

2. Select PMC Mode. If “PMC” is displayed, press ENTER, else press an arrow key to display “PMC” and
then press ENTER.

3. Select Desired Program. Use the arrow keys to scroll to the desired program and press ENTER

4. Adjust Temperature. Use the arrow keys to adjust the peak temperature if desired and Press ENTER. To
keep factory Temperature Setting Press ENTER.

5. Adjust Hold Time. Use the arrow keys to adjust the peak temperature Hold Time if desired and Press EN-
TER. To keep factory Hold Time Setting, Press ENTER.

6. The display will read “rEdI”. Press the Down Arrow to Review the Program.

7. READY “rEdi” You are now at ready. Press ENTER to start the firing.

12
 PMC Mode 13

From IdLE
Press ENTER

Use arrow keys to select

GLAS

Press Enter

Use arrow keys to select

SLo, MEd, or FASt

Press ENTER

Use arrow keys to select

SLP, tAC or FULL

Press ENTER

Use arrow keys to select

Adjust Peak Temperature
if desired

Press ENTER

Use arrow keys to

adjust Hold Time if
desired

Press ENTER

Press Down Arrow

to Review Program

rEdI
13
Press ENTER to
start firing
14 Ramp/Hold
Overview
Ramp and Hold is a programming mode that allows you to write your own firing programs. It is used when you
are firing something that requires programs different from the factory programs found in ConeFire, Glass Fire
or PMC Programming Modes.

Whenever possible we suggest you use the built in firing modes but if you want to do something different like
growing Crystals in a ceramic glaze, casting thick pieces of glass, or tempering custom made tools, you will
need to use Ramp and Hold Mode.

Before you get started it is a good idea to know a little about firing pro-
grams. A firing program consists of a series of one or more segments that
are strung together to form the program. A segment consists of a Firing
rate (expressed in degrees per hour), a temperature that you are trying to
reach at that rate, and an amount of time you want to hold at that tem-
perature.

A program can be as simple as telling the kiln to fire as fast it can to a

specific temperature and then turn off. Most items you fire in a kiln how-
ever require you to speed up, slow down, or hold during critical parts of
the firing. You can find recommended programs for firing in books, on
manufacturers websites, on blogs, from a class...they are every where. You may find two programs that look
completely different but accomplish the same results. The key is testing. Just with recipes, some programs are
better than others.

Another thing you need to consider when trying out a Ramp/Hold program is that kilns can fire different. A
large kiln with a very large load of shelves and ware may cool slower than a small kiln. In order to get the
same results, you may need to program a cooling segment that slows down the cooling of the kiln. Again
testing is the key. It is impossible to fit everything you need to know about firing in this manual, so we highly
recommend you contact your local distributor and find out where you can take classes to advance your knowl-
edge.

Below is an example of a program written for firing a specific crystal glaze recipe like
the one in the picture. It is a 5 segment program with varying rates and hold times. With
Crystal glazes it is important to hold at specific temperatures on the cooling side of the
program. You can see that between segment 3 and 4 that the temperature drops 210 °F
(117 °C) to 2000 °F (1093 °C) and then holds at that temperature for 1 hour and then
drops another 100 °F (100 °C) and holds for 3 hours. When the last segment in the
program is complete the kiln shuts off and cools to room temperature.

Sample Ceramic Crystal Glaze Program

SEGMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
RATE 350°F/HR 750°F/HR 150°F/HR 750°F/HR 750°F/HR

TEMPERATURE 700°F 2000°F 2210°F 2000°F 1900°F

HOLD 00.00 00.00 00.10 01.00 03.00

14
 Ramp/Hold 15

Ramp/Hold Programming
1. Start with the display reading IdLE, Press ENTER.

2. If “r-Hd” is displayed, press ENTER, else press an Arrow Key to display “r-Hd” and then press ENTER.

3. Display wll read “LoAd”. Press ENTER to run a previously stored program (See Load Stored Program be-
low) else press Arrow Key to toggle to “Pro” and press ENTER. Use the Arrow Keys to display the correct
Program Number and then press ENTER.

4. Display will read “SEGS”. Use the Arrow Keys to display the desired Number of Segments and press EN-
TER.

5. DIsplay will read “rA 1”. Use the Arrow Keys to scroll to the desired Rate and press ENTER. Rates are
entered in °/hr and can be a heating or a controlled cooling rate. A rate of 9999 sets the kiln to ramp as
fast as possible.

6. Display will read “°F 1” or “°C 1” depending on how you have your temperature scale set. Use the arrow
keys to select a temperature for the kiln to go to in your first rate and press ENTER.

7. Display will read “HLd1”. Use the Arrow Keys to choose the Hold Time at the soak temperature for your
first segment and press ENTER. Hours are displayed to the left of the decimal point and minutes to the right
(HH.mm).

8. REPEAT STEPS 5-7 for each segment.

9. The display will read “rEdI” after you have entered the the last segment data. Press the Down Arrow to
Review the Program.

10. Display will read “rEdI” Press ENTER to start the firing.

To re-fire the last used program, press the DOWN key when StOP or IdLE is displayed. The program will be
quickly reviewed and rEdi will be displayed. Press START to begin the firing. Note – pressing the down arrow
twice will go directly to redi.

Load Stored Program

1. Start with the display reading IdLE, Press ENTER.

2. If “r-Hd” is displayed, press ENTER, else press an Arrow Key to display “r-Hd” and then press ENTER.

3. Display wll read “LoAd”. Press ENTER

4. Display will read “Pro”. Use the Arrow Keys to display the correct Program Number and then press ENTER.

5. The display will read “rEdI”. Press the Down Arrow to Review the Program.

6. Display will read “rEdI” Press ENTER to start the firing.

15
16 Ramp/Hold

Form IdLE

Press ENTER

Use Arrow Keys to select

r-Hd
To Write a Press ENTER To Load a
New Program Stored Program

Use Arrow Keys to From

LoAd
toggle from
LoAd Press ENTER

to Pro

Enter Program #
Use Arrows to
toggle to desired
program #
Enter # of Segments
Press ENTER
Press ENTER

Use Arrow Keys Use Arrow Keys Use Arrow Keys

to select first to select first to select first
Temperature Temperature Hold Time
Press ENTER Press ENTER Press ENTER

Enter 2nd Enter 2nd Enter 2nd Press Down Arrow

Rate Temperature Hold Time to Review Program

“rEdI”
Enter last Enter last Press Enter to
Enter last Rate Temperature Hold Time start firing

16
 Advanced Programming 17

There are a few advanced programming features we have left out of the main programming instructions
in order to help simplify them. Most kiln users will not need or use these features however if you find them
useful we have listed them below.

Change Temperature Scale

Change temperature scale by pressing ENTER from iDLE and using the Arrow Keys to togle to CHG° and
press ENTER. Use the Arrow Keys to toggle to °C (Celsius) or °F (Fahrenheit) and press ENTER to make
the change. When Celsius is selected a light will appear in the bottom right corner of the display.

Traveling Set Point

At the start of a firing, the controller sets its traveling set point to the current temperature in the kiln. The
traveling set point is where the controller wants the kiln temperature to be. The controller will then move
the traveling set point up at the programmed rate and cycle power to the elements to make the tempera-
ture follow the traveling set point. The traveling set point can be viewed while the kiln is firing by pressing
the UP arrow. The first information you will see is where you are in the program (i.e. ra 1) and the second
is the traveling set point temperature. This is can be a very useful diagnostic tool.

Edit Menu
There are 3 additional features that may be accessed through the EdIt Menu: Skip Segment (SSEG), Add
Time (TME) and Add Temperature (TMP). The Edit Menu is only accessible in GlassFire, PMC and Ramp/
Hold Modes. The Add Time and Add Temp features are only available when the program is in the Hold
portion of a segment and only available during the peak temperature segment of the program. To access
the Edit menu press the UP arrow while the kiln is firing. it first display the current segment, then the travel-
ing set point and then (if accessible) the Edit prompt. This will remain on the screen for 5 seconds. You must
press the Enter key while the Edit prompt is displayed to access the menu. Use the arrow keys to toggle to
the feature you would like to access and select it by pressing ENTER. If the feature is not accessible it will
not be displayed.

Skip Segment
Often times Glass Artists want to visually inspect the glass when it is at or near the process temperature so
they can manually control how much a project is fused or slumped. Skip Step allows you to skip to the next
segment in the program before the previous one has completed to set your glass. When you select it from
the Edit menu you it will advance one segment in the program to the next ramp rate.

Add Time (tME)

If you feel the hold time in a particular segment of a program is not long enough, you can extend it in
increments of 5 minutes by using the Add Time feature while the program is in that hold period. You may
use this procedure as many times as necessary to get the hold time that you want. Access the Add Time
feature using the instructions for the Edit Menu and press ENTER.
Add Temperature (tMP)
If you feel the temperature in a particular segment of a program is not high enough, you can extend it in
increments of 5 °F (3 °C) by using the Add Temperature feature while the program is in that hold period.
You may use this procedure as many times as necessary to get the hold temperature that you want. Access
the Add Temperature feature using the instructions for 17
the Edit Menu and press ENTER.
18 Display Messages
Display Messages
Because we are working with an LED display with limited characters, some of the messages displayed can look
a little cryptic. I hopefully this section will help explain some of the messages you are seeing.

C-Fr - Indicates that if you press ENTER you will begin programming a Cone Fire Mode program. Press ENTER
to select it or use the Arrow Keys to scroll to another selection.

PrHt - Stands for Preheat. It is asking you to enter an amount of time for how long you want to preheat the kiln
before it runs a Cone Fire Mode program.

ConE - Is asking you to enter a cone value that you would like to fire to in Cone Fire Mode. Enter a value
between Cone 022 and Cone 10 (or whatever the maximum temperature rating of your kiln is).

SLo - The message indicates the choice to run a slow speed program in either Cone Fire Mode or Glass Fire
Mode.

MEd - The M is represented by two n’s. The message indicates the choice to run a medium speed program in
either Cone Fire Mode or Glass Fire Mode.

FASt - The message indicates the choice to run a fast speed program in either Cone Fire Mode or Glass Fire
Mode.

HLd - This prompt represents Hold and is asking you to enter a hold time in hours and minutes. Hours are to the
left of the decimal and minutes are to the right.

rEdI - This indicates the kiln is ready to run a program you have just entered. Press START to begin firing. You
have 30 seconds to activate the program before it reverts back to IdLE mode.

IdLE - This stands for IDLE and means the kiln is sitting IDLE waiting to be programmed.

GLAS - Indicates that if you press ENTER you will begin programming a Glass Fire Mode program. Press
ENTER to select it or press an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

FULL - Indicates the controller is in Glass Fire Mode and it is asking if you would like to run a Full Fuse
program. Press ENTER to select it or press an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

SLP - Indicates the controller is in Glass Fire Mode and it is asking if you would like to run a Slump program.
Press ENTER to select it or press an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

tAC - Indicates the controller is in Glass Fire Mode and it is asking if you would like to run a Tac Fuse program.
Press ENTER to select it or press an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

PMC - The M is represented by two n’s. Indicates that if you press ENTER you will begin programming a
Precious Metal Clay (PMC) program. Press ENTER to select it or an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

PP-F - Indicates the controller is in PMC Mode and it is asking if you would like to run a PMC+ Fast program.
Press ENTER to select it or press an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

PP-S - Indicates the controller is in PMC Mode and it is asking if you would like to run a PMC+ Slow program.
Press ENTER to select it or an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

P3-F - Indicates the controller is in PMC Mode and it 18

is asking if you would like to run a PMC3 Fast program.
Press ENTER to select it or press an arrow key to scroll to another selection.
 Display Messages 19

P3-S - Indicates the controller is in PMC Mode and it is asking if you would like to run a PMC3 Slow program.
Press ENTER to select it or press an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

GLdF - Indicates the controller is in PMC Mode and it is asking if you would like to run a PMC Gold Fast
program. Press ENTER to select it or press an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

GLdS - Indicates the controller is in PMC Mode and it is asking if you would like to run a PMC Gold Slow
program. Press ENTER to select it or press an arrow key to scroll to another selection.

°F - It is asking you to enter a temperature value in degrees Fahrenheit

°C - It is asking you to enter a temperature value in degrees Celsius.

r-Hd - Indicates that if you press ENTER you will begin programming a Ramp/Hold Mode program. Press
ENTER to select it or an press arrow key to scroll to another selection.

LoAd - Indicates that if you press ENTER you will Load a stored Ramp/Hold program. Press ENTER to select it
or press an arrow key to scroll to scroll to Pro to write a new Ramp/Hold program.

Pro - Pro stands for Program. When you see this, you are in Ramp/Hold programming Mode and it is asking
you to select a program between 1 and 5 to store your program or if you have selected LoAd, it is asking you
which Ramp/Hold program number you would like to run.

SEG - This represents Segment. If you see this, you are in Ramp/Hold and it is asking you to input how many
segments are included in your program. You can enter up to 8 segments in a program so choose a number
between 1 and 8.

rA - This represents Rate. If you see this, you are in Ramp/Hold mode and it is asking you to input a rate in
degrees per hour for a segment. It will be accompanied by the number value of the particular segment number
you are programming.

CHG - This stands for “Change”. The display is asking you if you would like to change the current
temperature scale from Fahrenheit to Centigrade. Press ENTER if you would like to change the scale then use
the arrow keys to toggle to the selection you want and press ENTER to select it. The display will then return
to IdLE. If Centigrade is selected you will see a small light illuminated in the bottom right hand corner of your
display.

CPLt - This stands for Complete and means that your program has finished running. This message will be
alterately flashing with the amount of time in hours and minutes that it took to complete the firing program
as well as the current temperature of the kiln. Press ENTER to clear and return to IdLE. Remember that just
because the program is complete, it does not mean that the kiln is cool enough to unload.

StOP - Stop will appear when you press the STOP key to stop a program while it is firing.

EdIt - See Advanced Programing

SSEG - See Advanced Programing

tME - See Advanced Programing

tMP - See Advanced Programing

19
20 Troubleshooting
Error Codes
Error Codes are your kilns way of telling you that something is wrong. Below is a list of error codes along
with their description and potential fixes. Unlike refrigerators, you will not find a kiln in every house, therefore
it may be harder to find and schedule a repair. That is why our technicians here at Skutt have become very
good at walking people through simple repairs over the phone. Parts can be shipped the same day so you
can be up and going in no time at all.

Thermocouples and elements are the most common maintenance items that will need to be replaced. Like
brakes in your car they will eventually need to be replaced. The most common error messages you find below
can quickly be resolved by learning to replace these two items. You can find videos on how to do these re-
pairs at www.skutt.com.

tC FAIL - tC alternating with FAIL indicates the thermocouple has failed. Replace the defective thermocouple.
To clear the error, press any key.

PF - Is displayed whenever there is a power interruption that causes the kiln to drop below 140 °F (60 °C) or
before the kiln reaches 140 °F (60 °C). Press ENTER to clear the error. If you know the reason for the power
failure was not related to the kiln just restart your program. If there is a temporary power interruption that does
not cause the kiln to fall below 140 °F (60 °C), the kiln will continue to fire the program entered.

tC- - Is displayed when the red and yellow thermocouple wires are reversed. This usually occurs when the ther-
mocouple is installed backwards but can also occur if the red and yellow wires are reversed at any point in the
thermocouple circuit.

Err1 - Is displayed when the kiln is unable to achieve a rise in temperature of at least 12 °F/Hr (7 °C/Hr). This
can be triggered by many different things. The most common are aging elements, intermittent or faulty relays,
and low voltage.

Errh - This message indicates a problem with the hardware on the controller itself. This is pretty rare. We suggest
you call a Skutt technician to resolve this problem.

Errf - This error is triggered by the kiln not decreasing in temperature at the rate programmed. This message
only occurs during a segment when the kiln is programmed to be decreasing in temperature at a controlled rate.
It is usually caused by a Solid State relay failing in the closed position (on). The FireBox Lt kilns have a built-in
safety relay to prevent your kiln from overheating if your relay fails closed. If you received this message it is
most likely that your Solid State relay needs to be replaced.

Errd - This error is triggered by the kiln rising in temperature at a faster rate than the kiln is programmed. this
message only occurs during a segment when the kiln is programmed to be increasing in temperature. It is usually
caused by a Solid State relay failing in the closed position (on). The FireBox Lt kilns have a built-in safety relay
to prevent your kiln from overheating if your relay fails closed. If you received this message it is most likely that
your Solid State relay needs to be replaced.

Errr - This one is very rare. Call a Skutt technician for more information.

Stuc - This error is triggered when a key is held depressed for too long and usually indicates the key is stuck.
Sometimes this is a temporary situation but sometimes it may require a new controller.

20
 Troubleshooting 21

No Display
No display can be caused by a number of factors. The first thing to check obviously is to make sure the kiln
is plugged into the wall. If it seems secure, plug a light or radio into the same outlet to make sure the outlet is
live. If you find that it is not live, check your breaker. If you find that it has tripped reset it and then restart your
kiln. If it trips again call a Skutt technician for further troubleshooting.

There is a fuse holder on the side of your control box that holds a 0.5 amp fuse on the side of the box. Check
first to see if the fuse is fully engaged by pushing it in and turning it clockwise. If is seems secure twist it counter
clockwise and remove the fuse to see if it is good. If you find that it is bad, replace the fuse.

Pieces Over Fired

If you find that your pieces are over fired the first step is to press the down arrow to review the program
and make sure you ran the correct program for the materials you are firing. If it is correct, the next step is to
run another test fire. This will require a new test cone which you can find at most ceramic supply businesses.
Once you have completed your test fire and find that the kiln is over firing, the next step is to replace your
thermocouple.

Thermocouples will begin to slowly drift towards an over fire after a certain number of firings. This number will
vary depending on how hot you are firing your kiln and the amount of contaminants it is exposed to.

You can purchase a replacement thermocouple from your local distributor or directly from Skutt. There are
many different types and shapes of thermocouples so be sure to order one for your specific model. Instructions
for replacing a thermocouple can be found on our website in the video section at www.skutt.com.

Once you have replaced the thermocouple you will want to do another test fire. If you find the kiln is still over
firing call a Skutt Technician for further troubleshooting.

Pieces Under Fired

If you find that your pieces are under fired the first step is to press the down arrow to make sure you ran the
correct program for the materials you are firing. If it is correct, the next step is to run another test fire. This
will require a new test cone which you can find at most ceramic supply businesses. Once you have completed
your test fire and find that the kiln is under firing, the next step is to call a Skutt Technician for further
troubleshooting.

Warranty Information
Your kiln is covered for two years to be free of defects. Be sure to read you warranty card to see all of what is
covered. Be sure to register your warranty at www.skutt.com. The first step in any warranty claim is to call Skutt
at 866-858-0588. It is helpful to have the original packing material just in case we need to have you send the
unit back to Skutt for repairs.

Contact Information
Technical Support Customer Service Parts Orders
866-858-0588 866-858-0588 866-858-0588

support@skutt.com 21
skutt@skutt.com orders@skutt.com
22 Programs
Cone Fire Mode Programs
FAST RAMP RATEº/HR TEMPERATURE HOLD
1 570 200 PREHEAT
2 570 1050 0
3 570 CT - 256 0
4 200 CT HOLD
NOTE CT = CONE TEMPERATURE

MEDIUM RAMP RATEº/HR TEMPERATURE HOLD

1 120 200 PREHEAT
2 400 1050 00.10
3 300 CT - 256 0
4 120 CT HOLD
NOTE CT = CONE TEMPERATURE

SLOW RAMP RATEº/HR TEMPERATURE HOLD

1 80 200 PREHEAT
2 200 1050 00.30
3 200 CT - 256 0
4 108 CT HOLD
NOTE CT = CONE TEMPERATURE

Glass Fire Mode Programs

FAST RAMP RATEº/HR TEMPERATURE HOLD
1 500 300 5
2 800 By Process By Process
3 9999 950 30
4 175 800 10

MEDIUM RAMP RATEº/HR TEMPERATURE HOLD

1 350 300 10
2 600 By Process By Process
3 9999 950 30
4 150 800 10

SLOW RAMP RATEº/HR TEMPERATURE HOLD

1 250 300 10
2 400 By Process By Process
3 9999 950 60
4 100 800 15

PMC Mode Programs

PROGRAMS RAMP RATEº/HR TEMPERATURE HOLD
PMC+ - FAST 9999 1650 00.10
PMC+ - SLOW 9999 1650 02.00
PMC3 - FAST 9999 1290 00.10
PMC3 - SLOW 9999 1650 02.00
GOLD - FAST 9999 22 1380 00.60
GOLD - SLOW 9999 1650 00.10
 Wiring Diagram 23

MWS 4/17/13

1-Phase
FireBox 8x4 LT
FireBox 8x6 LT
Models:
Automatic Kiln
Wiring Diagram
T/C Wire

Yellow
+
Red
-
Relay
Safety

S
OP
+
3
Solid State
Relay

4
-

AC
CEN
AC
Transformer
Terminal
Block
G
N
L1

Specifications
Model - FireBox 8x6 LT Model - FireBox 8x4 LT
115 Volts AC 2W 15 Amps 1800 Watts 115 Volts AC 2W 15 Amps 1800 Watts

Rated Max Temperature: 2250 °F (1232 °C) Rated Max Temperature: 2350 °F (1288 °C)

23
PROGRAM 1
SEGMENT RATE TEMP HOLD NOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

PROGRAM 2
SEGMENT RATE TEMP HOLD NOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

PROGRAM 3
SEGMENT RATE TEMP HOLD NOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

PROGRAM 4
SEGMENT RATE TEMP HOLD NOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

PROGRAM 5
SEGMENT RATE TEMP HOLD NOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

6441 SE Johnson Creek Blvd., Portland, OR 97206 (503) 774-6000 skutt@skutt.com