burning(?) smell from kiln

[beachglass]

hey guys, I fired my kiln today and started working. about 5 minutes later i started to notice a strange smell...after walking around my shop like an a hole trying to figure out where its coming from i realized it was by the kiln. so after more sniffing i realized its not coming from inside the kiln, but rather the controller.

pretty hard to describe this odour, but its like a burning gym sock or something like that...very nasty and disconcerting. obviously i shut the kiln off, and i'm waiting for it to cool now to get it open to inspect the wires and such. i did a quick inspection through the holes in the top of the controller and all the wires and everything look fine...

anyone have some suggestions as to what this could be, or what i should be looking for?? the kiln is about a year and a half old and still has the original relay, so i'm kinda hoping it will be that cause i have a spare one. ultimately i'm just more concerned about burning my shop down, or inhaling something toxic

why is it shit always breaks right before christmas?!?! :tongue2:

thanks!

[CitizenNot]

i've noticed funny smells from my kiln before, only when i turned it on. it warmed up and the smell went away and it still works like new

[mer]

for the last time, DO NOT heat up your socks in the kiln. this never ends well.

[beachglass]

^^ lol, but i just love throwing on a nice 1100 degree sock in the morning, the way it melts your foot skin is just so cozy

citizen, i worked for about 20-30 minutes after the kiln was heated up and the smell was still pouring out of it, thats when i decided it may be a bit risky to just leave it and see...i can't afford a new kiln :)

[Ninja fire]

I had that kiln smelly prob last week....

My retarded Cat thought it was a litter box and pissed in it.... :)

[Mr. Wonka]

Definitely check the relay- I had the same problem once with my kiln, but also check all of your wiring and connections. A loose connection could cause a burning smell.

[Racer X]

Take the relay out and look at it. If it's looking melted or warped, that's it. Maybe clean the contacts and check them to see any discoloration.

[somberbear]

so thats where i left the pistrami samitch

my bad

peace
rob

[SNYD]

Check where it is plugged into the wall also.

[menty666]

burning plastic dust and wire insulation would smell pretty foul. Pull it apart and have a look.

Just out of curiosity, did you shut it off or let it finish?

[MoltenLife]

I suggest you try contacting the manufacturer. You could have a two year warranty on your kiln. The best way to diagnose the problem would be to explain your situation directly to the manufacturer. You can also email me and I will give you the contact information of someone who fixes kilns.

[CitizenNot]

is it an aim? i don't know what was burning in my kiln but i know what burning wires smell like and it wasn't that. i've never smelled anything like that before. It was really weird i thought something was on fire, ran around like an idiot

[Mike_Aurelius]

Brand new kilns always stink -- it is the organic compounds burning off from the brick/insulation. It passes after a couple of firings.

I still don't understand why kiln makers don't fire the kilns after building them to burn them out. They'd have a lot less complaints if they did.

[Ninja fire]

I was just joking about what my cat did....

But seriously 'Safety first' don't rest until you find out
whats smoking...

[Skye Perry]

Doe's your kiln have fiber board in the punty door .I just replaced mine about a week ago and the first few time's that I fired my kiln it smelled like burning chemicals or somthing weird like nothing I have never smelled before .I knew that was why it was stinking because Iit happened right when I replaced it .

[yinzer]

ran around like an idiot

kiln must smell like that everyday er sumthin....n'at

[yinzer]

for the last time, DO NOT heat up your socks in the kiln. this never ends well.

we were just tryin to get the dwaine love out of em

[beachglass]

hey folks, well after inspecting everything in the controller (looked fine) i called the kiln co...he suggested checking all the connections and sure enough the one that went right to the element was black and melted...

i cut off the last inch or so of the wire, stripped it and hooked it back up. just a hint of smell now, but i think that is residual from yesterday. its been on for an hour or so now and its working great. thanks for all your help! safety first people :)

[Greymatter Glass]

Brand new kilns always stink -- it is the organic compounds burning off from the brick/insulation. It passes after a couple of firings.

I still don't understand why kiln makers don't fire the kilns after building them to burn them out. They'd have a lot less complaints if they did.

Mike, my understanding is that partially hydrated, and hence uncured, bricks and motor are MUCH more flexible and able to handle shipping. Once it's been fired the whole kiln becomes brittle and more likely to break.

Pro: less damage in shipping
Cons: heavier shipping weight, funky smell first firing.

All new kilns should always be first fired according to the manufacturers instruction before working with it. For an evenheat they run them on full power for a bit to get it up around or over 2000F to cure the bricks and motor. I think 2100 for 90 minutes or something.

-Doug

[Mike_Aurelius]

That's a good point Doug, one that I'd never considered. Thanks for pointing that out!