Accessories and Upgrades

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Accessories and Upgrades

Accessories and Upgrades

Skutt offers a wide variety of accessories and upgrades for your kiln. Since most kilns are built-to-order, these features are often factory-installed. Upgrade kits are also available for those that want to modernize their existing Skutt kiln with more advanced features.
Please call us to discuss ordering these upgrades for your kiln!

KilnMaster Touchscreen (KMT) Controller

The KMT controller has a touchscreen Interface that is much like your smartphone. It has built in WiFi which allows you to upgrade the firm ware whenever we come out with a new feature (or heaven forbid have to fix a bug). So, in essence you have a new controller for the life of your kiln. It also comes with a free App that allows you to monitor your kiln from wherever you are.

The KMT controller is available on almost any new model. Order your brand new kiln with this easy-to-use upgrade, and you won't be disappointed!

Also Available as an Upgrade Kit (Not Compatible With KilnSitter Kilns)

CHECK OUT ALL THE KMT FEATURES

APM Elements

Let’s start first by saying that APM ELEMENTS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE. APM Elements are made of almost exactly the same material as our regular elements, the difference is how they are made. With APM elements they grind up the extruded material and then re-melt it and extrude it again. What this does is give it more dimensional stability (it doesn’t sag or creep as easily) at high temperatures.

Elements are more likely to sag and creep when you are firing to, and holding at high temperatures. This can significantly reduce their effective life. So, if you are working with crystalline glazes or are consistently firing to Cone 10 you will be very pleased with the added life of the elements. If you are mostly low firing (Cone 04) you will not experience any benefit.

The price of APM elements varies by model. Please contact us for a quote.

Type S Thermocouple

Most all of the kilns that Skutt builds are equipped with a Type K thermocouple. Type K thermocouples are accurate and inexpensive. The down side to Type K thermocouples is that they wear out, and they wear out faster when exposed to extreme conditions. Type S thermocouples can virtually last forever. The reason for this is that they are made of platinum which does not degrade under most atmospheres and has an extremely high melting point. This leads us to one of their downsides, they are expensive…because they are made of platinum! Type S thermocouples are mostly used in scientific settings or settings where they are constantly exposed to harsh environments.

I know what you're thinking. “If I go ahead and upgrade now, it should pay for itself over the life of the kiln from not having to replace thermocouples!” That may be true…if you don’t break it. Because it is made of very expensive Platinum, the wire used to construct the thermocouple is very, very thin. On top of this, it is housed in a fragile high-alumina cover. If you hit it with a shelf, it’s game over. If you do make the upgrade, you may become the full time kiln loader if you are not already.

Zone Control

Zone Control kilns have a thermocouple in each section of the kiln and cycle the power to each section on and off semi-independently as if it were an individual kiln. For example, lets say you have have a 3 section kiln and the bottom section is firing a little cooler than the middle and and top section. With zone control turned on, the controller will turn off power to the middle and top sections until the bottom section has caught up and then turn the power to all 3 sections back on. This ensures that the temperature difference between the sections never gets to great.

Zone Control cannot easily be added later since it requires the changing of several internal components therefore it is suggested that you add it when you order your kiln. It is not available as an upgrade on all models. The reason for this is that the kiln needs to have a minimum power rating known as the loss to watt ratio in order for the kiln to keep up with the program when sections are turned off to balance the temperature. Call us to find out if zone control is available for your desired model. You may also use the Build A Kiln web tool to find out if it is available.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ZONE CONTROL

Envirovent 2

The EnviroVent 2 is what is known as a Downdraft Vent. Downdraft vents actively remove fumes from your kiln before they can enter the room and vent them outside keeping your studio free of smell. It works by using a wall mounted fan to draw a very small amount of air through holes drilled in the slab (floor). The amount of air drawn is determined by the number and size of the holes drilled. Holes are also drilled in the lid in a specific pattern designed to direct the air in a way that does not affect your ware.

These holes can be drilled in the factory when you order your kiln or easily drilled in your classroom or studio simply by following the instructions in the manual. We even provide you with the drill bits!

The Skutt EnviroVent was the very first commercially available downdraft venting system on the market, introduced in 1987. To get a more complete understanding of how the EnviroVent works watch the video by clicking on the link below.

Removes fumes, odors and vapors. Particularly useful when firing materials such as metallics, and high sulfur clays, which can emit strong odors
Improves firing consistency. The vent also helps to prevent different color glazes from migrating. You can now fire greens and reds on the same shelf with excellent results.
Fits popular kilns. The EnviroVent 2 fits Skutt 16, 12, 10, and 8-sided kilns as well as many other kiln brands.
Fits popular kilns. The EnviroVent 2 has a spring-loaded collection cup that keeps a tight seal on the kiln as it expands and contracts without stressing the bottom slab.
Ideal for automatic kilns. The EnviroVent 2 makes firing kilns such as the Skutt KM series much more convenient. There’s no lid propping. Just put plugs in all the peepholes and press start.
Easy to install. Check out this video to see just how quick and easy it is to install a new Envirovent 2.

Use in conjunction with an EnviroLink to allow your controller to automatically turn the vent on and off during firings!

Rolling Stands

Almost every kiln that Skutt sells comes with a stand but most of them are designed to stay put.Trying to move them with the kiln setting on them could result in a broken stand or even worse a broken kiln, or even worse, a broken you.

Often times you may want to move your kiln to clean under it or just get it out of the way when it is not being used. Think how nice it would be to get that car in the garage every once in a while.

Skutt rolling stands are constructed out of heavy duty, welded square tubing and fitted with high quality, locking polypropylene castors. Polypropylene wheels roll smoothly across the floor. They provide the recommended clearances from the kiln to the floor and many are adjustable in order to raise the loading level to a height that is comfortable for you.

If you use an Envirovent 2, you can get a Rolling Stand Vent Adapter to let the vent move with the kiln! No disconnecting!

LidLifter

LidLifters come standard on all new 10- and 12-sided Skutt kilns. This spring-driven mechanism makes opening and closing the kiln lid a breeze. Upgrade kits are available for installation on older models. Contact us for a quote.

Easy View

An Easy View is a simple wedge shaped piece of powder coated sheet metal that simply angles the touch pad out so it is easy to see and program. It is especially helpful to people who own older Skutt models that had the touch pad located near the bottom of the control box. It is very easy to install without have to disconnect any wires. One size fits all full size KilnMaster or GlassMaster control box.They are inexpensive and can make programming much easier. you can also order it with a LinkBoard to upgrade your kiln with KilnLink or to plug in an EnviroLink.