L&L Chameleon Kiln

[glassman52]

                            Does anyone have an opinion or any experience on or with this kiln as I am looking for a 14" clamshell kiln. I found this one as opposed to Paragon or Evenheat. It comes in a 6" or 9" hight and heat elements are in ceramic. My pref. is the 9". My space is very limited and a table top kiln is all I have room for. It is also shipped free from some dealers.

[Becki]

I have no first hand experience with it but it looks like a nice starter kiln. It looks like if you go for a 9" you'll have to have a 240v outlet. As long as you're prepared for that it should work well for you.

[JudyK]

It's been a little while since I have looked at small kilns. They have some very nice options out there now.

I like the idea of the ceramic channels for the elements to keep from falling dust. I have not seen that before. I hope it works for them. I love my little 110 paragon fusion 7 but had terrible trouble with the first lid dusting. The second lid has never giving me any trouble.

The lid on my Pearl has a fiber top to protect from falling dust

I am not familiar with the Bartlet controller. My 2 Sentry's, made by Orton, have been good controllers.

The different shapes of kilns available come in handy for the different processes. I like to be able to look down on my work when placing it in the kiln. Just to make sure nothing has moved. So I rule out front loaders. I like to peak during firing now and then so the top lid is irritating because I have to open it so far and loose a bit of heat to really see in. My second kiln, a paragon Pearl 22,  lifts the kiln off the base like the Studio Pro 14 and Olympic 189 GFETLC, both 110. Actually it lift at the middle, but I do not see that offered in the smaller kilns. I like this. It retains the heat when I lift and I can see the work easier.

I like your idea of 9" in hight, because You may want to slump a tallish mold or do a pot melt.

I found a few glass kilns are beginning to be rated for going to 2000F degrees, instead of the 1700F I have. I would love that! For some of the more fluid and creative processes you want to go to at least 1600F. My kilns struggle that close to their limit.

[glassman52]

                           Yes and the 9" offers more in versatility than I had seen with evenheat or paragon and at the same $.  http://www.hotkilns.com/chameleon-glass-kilns The 240 volt (I have no probs. with) is only 13 amps.

[JudyK]

I like what I read there, but I did not see a price.

[Becki]

Clay-King.com has this one on sale for 859.88.  Not a bad price.  I'm not sure what process would require a temp of 2000 but it looks like it's there if you need it!

[JudyK]

I would not need 2000, but both of my kilns complain when I ask them to near 1650. Which has not been often. A kiln that could go to 2000 would have no problem with 1650. That is all I was thinking.

...Actually, I would like to see three layers of glass after 1900. I bet it would boil really awesome patterns. Might pick up too much shelf but it would be fun to see.

[Becki]

Firing 3 or more layers above 1700 will most certainly bubble and if left undammed will more than likely flow off your shelf and onto the floor of the kiln.

[JudyK]

I got some really nice movement at 1600 for an hour, once.

 It should only flow off the shelf if I used too much glass . A three 6" discs should give me an interesting 9 inch disc to play with.