Thermocouple Placement

It is important to be mindful of your thermocouple placement during a firing. A properly placed thermocouple can make a big difference in accurate temperature readings. Follow these few tips for proper thermocouple placement in your kiln:

• Make sure the thermocouple sticks into the kiln far enough. It should stick approximately 1" to 1 1/2" into the firing chamber
• Be sure that ware and shelves are not touching the thermocouple. Allow at least an inch of space around the thermocouple
• Be mindful that the kiln is not too close or touching an element
• When using only one thermocouple, it is best to place the thermocouple close to the level to which the ware is being fired

Thermocouple Maintenance

It's also important to remember that a thermocouple is a component that will wear out over time. If your thermocouple reading is above or below the actual temperature, it may be time for a new thermocouple. It's a good idea to keep a spare thermocouple on hand in the event that one quits working. A spare Type K thermocouple is an inexpensive part that could save you a big headache later. You can also use your controller to set a thermocouple offset so the controller will make up for the misreading in temperature.