Features on all Paragon Kiln models

One piece construction for a strong firing chamber, also eliminates extra electrical connections of sectional kilns.  Lock-in lid support.  Dropped, recessed, brick grooves protect the high-fire elements for longer life.  A heat shield and louvers cool the extra-large switch box for trouble free performance.  A full formed steel base protects the reversible brick bottom and strengthens the kiln.  The base is galvanized for long life.  The stainless steel case is cold-rolled to wrap the side walls tightly.  The outer edge of the side wall bricks are machined to match the curvature in the steel case.  A fall away Prop-R-Vent vents gases in two stages.  Tapered peepholes permit a wide view without heat loss.  The peepholes, top rim of firebrick, and inner lid are hardened with a special refractory coating.  This protects your ware from dust and makes these surfaces last longer.  Each kiln comes with a stand and plastic feet.  A deluxe kiln stand with steel casters is optional.  A detailed instruction and service manual is included.

All Paragon 10 and 12 sided kilns (except the S99) now have a spring counterbalance lid.  Called the "LiteLid," the patent-pending counterbalance does away with cumbersome pulleys and cords. It reduces lid weight to several pounds of pressure. Most people can lift even the massive 12 sided, 3" thick lid with one hand.  Unlike pulley and weight systems, the LiteLid is self-contained on the kiln. You no longer need to drill holes in your ceiling for hooks and pulleys. The LiteLid remains out of the way at the lid hinge behind the kiln. The lid opens wide (to almost 90") for full access to loading and does away with lid chains or other supports.

Optional APM's are available.  Powder metal elements, or APM elements, are the most advanced elements we have ever offered. Made from compressed powdered metal, they fire substantially longer than conventional high fire elements. Conventional elements draw less and less power as they age. APM elements age differently due to their metallic grain structure. They continue to fire as they did when they were new, long after standard elements would have been replaced. APM elements do not deform, and when they fail, it is usually due to contamination by foreign materials.  We recommend APM elements for high-fire production, including porcelain and stoneware. Furnaces and kilns that are fired repeatedly to high temperatures benefit from APM elements.

Manual Controls (S Models)

Manual models have infinite control switches which cycle on and off through a bi-metallic timer.  The higher the switch setting, the longer the heating elements stay on during each cycle.  When the switch is set to High, the elements stay on continuously.  For most firings, the switches are set on Low to begin with, then turned up to higher settings.  Dawson Kiln Sitter is used for turning off the manual kilns, and a limit timer for safety shut-off is standard.

Automatic Controls (SnF Models)

The SnF series automatic kilns use switch timers to change the heat settings.  A Dawson kiln sitter with limit timer shuts the kiln off at the end of the firing.  The top switch of an SnF kiln is an infinite control.  The switch cycles on and off.  The higher the switch setting, the longer the heating elements stay on during each cycle.  This switch controls the heat output during the first stage of firing.  The second switch (and third, if the kiln has one) is a switch timer.  When you set the second (and third) switches, you are adjusting timers, the same way you would set an egg timer.  As the kiln fires and the timers run out of time, the second (and then the third) switches turn on, thereby delivering power to the elements.  

At the beginning of the firing, the only elements that turn on are the ones wired to the top switch.  When the time you set on the second switch elapses, stage two firing begins.  The time adjusted on the second switch determines the firing time of the first stage.  The third switch (if the kiln has one) is a timer that adjusts firing time on the second stage of firing.  As timers run out of time, more elements are powered, raising the temperature.

Electronic Controls (TnF Models)  using The DTC 800-Series Electronic Temperature Controller  (New! Now shipping is the Sentry 2.0 controller)  

The DTC 800 series is a refinement of controllers that have been firing in Paragon kilns since 1988. The DTC 800 series use improved circuitry and components for extended life and greater accuracy.

TnF kilns come with an improved thermocouple (temperature sensor) which is hermetically sealed in a protective metal sheath. Before updating, we tested it continuously for months. According to test data, temperature drift is only a few degrees after firing for 1,000 hours at 2300 degrees F. The new thermocouple is so sensitive that when registering around 80 degrees F., it will show the temperature rising when you hold the tip in your hand.

The board comes in two versions: the DTC 800C for ceramics, and the DTC 800 for enameling, jewelry, heat treating, and glass. The DTC 800C uses two operating modes: (1) Cone-Fire and (2) Ramp-Hold. The DTC 800 operates in Ramp-Hold only.

Cone-Fire fires to a pyrometric cone number. You do not need to know cone temperature - just enter the cone number and firing speed (fast, medium, or slow.) New in Cone-Fire is the Fine Tuning feature. It matches the heat work of the controller to that of the pyrometric cone on the kiln shelf. For example, if you program the controller to cone 05 and the 05 shelf cone does not bend to maturity, you can adjust the controller to fire a little hotter next time. It takes just a moment in Fine Tuning.

Use "Cone Table" to look up a cone temperature. The cone temperature of an actual firing will vary, however, depending on firing rate. The DTC 800C uses technology patented by the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation to compensate for firing rate.

Ramp-Hold fires in up to eight segments. Each segment has an end temperature, speed, and hold (or soak) adjustment. So, you can change the firing speed up to eight times in a single firing. Because each segment can control heating or cooling, even crystalline glaze firings are simplified.

Store up to six firings in memory - even after the kiln is unplugged. The kiln temperature displays throughout firing and cooling in your choice of temperature scales, F or C. A safety switch near the display window shuts off power to the heating elements. Use the audible temperature alarm to remind yourself to close the lid from venting position or to check the kiln when firing is almost complete. Error messages report mechanical problems.

Use "Delay Fire" to start the firing later to suit your schedule. The display shows time left before firing begins. You do not have to be present throughout the firing, but it is important that you are near the kiln before the expected shutoff time.

Warranty:

3 month warranty on Quick-Fire 6.  One year parts and labor on kilns rated 2300F and above.  Two years parts and labor on kilns rated under 2300F.  Does not include element replacement based on standard use.