Hi

I have Uhlig U15 small kiln and I make all my enamels without temp controler.I found that on the bottom right corner inside in the kiln is place which change the intensity of the red colour when the kiln is hot enough.Just  make some tests with copper and every type of enamel and find your way how to know if the kiln is hot enough.Maybe focus on one point in the kiln.Good luck ;P

Rudolf

Thank you Rudolf for your good advice.  I will do that.

Rosemary

I fire my small and large enamels since 50 years without pyrometer. I think important is to have a temperature-holder. If your kiln don't have it, you can buy it by every kiln-supplier. The "temperature-holder" is a small electrical tool, which holds the temperature on a constant value. Without the holder the kiln can become so hot, that the heater-coil of the kiln can melt.
I heat up the kiln to a dark until light red. I watch the surface of the enamel and if it is smooth and glossy,  I remove the workpiece from the kiln.
Large tiles are sometimes in the back of the kiln smoth and glossy, meanwhile the enamel surface in the front part of the kiln a bit rough is. Then I remove the tile from the kiln, turn the tile horizontral  at 180 degree and fire it in the kiln again until the whole enamel-surface is smoth and glossy.

Thank you so much for your helpful reply.

Mary Rose

Hello, I may be using a small kiln without any way to measure temperature.  Does anyone have suggestions how to fire without knowledge of temp?

Thank you.

Mary Rose