Paragon Caldera Test Ceramic Kiln

Fire silver clay, china, ceramics, porcelain, stoneware, decals, enameling, jewelry, and glass in Paragon’s digital Caldera kiln. Glass compatibility and glaze color tests are fast and easy. The Caldera fires rapidly to 2350°F/1287°C. With a separate top and bottom, it is stackable and completely portable. The kiln is easy to carry to seminars. Take it with you on vacation. For a digital kiln that can do this much, the Caldera is surprisingly affordable.

To strengthen the firing chamber, the firebrick corners are fitted together with L-shaped notches. This type of joint lasts longer than the butted joint and the "picture frame" mitered joint found on competitive brands. Rugged construction makes this kiln a little workhorse.

Imagine the glass you could make with this kiln: Sag, slump, and fuse. Make small bowls, pendants, earrings, cufflinks, and even bracelets. Enjoy the glittering beauty of dichroics. This kiln will give you a haven of creative enjoyment that you will especially appreciate when life gets hectic.

You will never outgrow a small kiln. If you later buy a larger kiln, continue to use the small one for testing or small projects. Perfect a new design in the small kiln before running production quantities in the large kiln. A small test kiln is invaluable in solving ceramic glaze problems and perfecting difficult glazes such as crystallines.

This kiln is built to last. Elements are coiled from the finest high-temperature wire available. They use heat-dissipating element connectors refined and proven over many years in Paragon kilns. The thermocouple, which senses temperature in the kiln, is protected with a high-nickel stainless steel sheath for long life.

You can order your Caldera with an optional glass window in the top. The glass window is rated to 2300°F (1260°C), so it can easily withstand glass fusing temperatures. Please note, however, that the window reduces the kiln’s maximum temperature to approximately 2100°F (1148°C) and is meant for glass fusing. (You can still fire porcelain and stoneware even with the window, but you will need to plug the window with ceramic fiber.)

The Caldera switchbox is coated with a durable high temperature, water-base finish. We chose this type of paint because of the low emissions during spraying. This creates a safer working environment for our employees and cuts down on pollution. The Caldera is proudly made in America to exacting standards.

The Sentry Xpress controller fires in either Ramp-Hold or Cone-Fire mode. Control both heating and cooling with simple 3-key operation. The Caldera includes a safety on/off toggle switch.

Warning for the Caldera-S Kiln Equipped with a Lid Safety Switch and Collar  The Caldera kiln was intended to be a stackable kiln with a separate lid and bottom. However, the lid must be hinged to the Caldera body when a lid safety switch is installed. To stabilize a Caldera kiln that has a hinged lid, we attach the kiln body and kiln bottom together with two latches.

If an unlatched collar (enameling, bead, or extension) is mounted between the Caldera body and the kiln bottom, care must be taken when opening the hinged lid. Do not open the lid past 90 degrees (where the lid is straight up) unless the lid leans against a heat-proof support behind the kiln.

Please be aware when firing the Caldera with any collar in place, the maximum temperature is reduced. Enameling Collar – 1800°F; Bead Collar – 2000°F; Extension Collar – 2000°F

Features of the Sentry Xpress 3-key Controller for Ceramic Kilns
Fire to a pyrometric cone by merely entering cone number and slow, medium or fast speed.

• Program Review lets you check the program you are about to fire.
• Set a temperature alarm to remind yourself to close a vented lid.
• Design Ramp-Hold programs with up to 8 segments (steps).
• Skip a segment in Ramp-Hold during firing.
• Hold (soak) the temperature in both Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold.
• Control both heating and cooling in Ramp-Hold.
• Add hold time in Ramp-Hold during firing.
• Change the target temperature in Ramp-Hold during firing.
• Temperature Display throughout firing and cooling in your choice of °F or °C
• Thermocouple Offset adjusts the thermocouple readout.
• Set the Delay to turn on the kiln later to suit your schedule.
• Error Messages report mechanical problems such as a disconnected thermocouple, stuck relay or broken element.
• 12 Month Warranty
• LED Lights show whether you are in program, review, or firing mode.
• Colorful, illustrated instruction manual. Download it from the “Additional Information” section below to review these features in more detail.
  

  Add 4 ½” of height to the Caldera with a collar. The Caldera-BC collar has a 7½” x 2” door on the side for annealing glass beads. The Caldera-X is the same type of collar, but without the bead door.

  • 2 ½” insulating refractory firebricks
  • Dropped, recessed brick grooves protect the element for long life.
  • Vented switch box, heavy duty wiring for years of reliable service.
  • The Caldera, even with a collar, still fires to 2000°F/1093°C
  • 4 - 2” x 2” x 2” firebrick blocks included with each kiln, to be placed under the kiln during firing.

  The Caldera can ship by UPS. Enjoy lower shipping cost and faster service. Specially designed cartons and foam padding assure that the kiln will arrive safely.