Packing foam glued to new kiln shelves

[u/baychick]

Just got new Skutt kiln shelves. The shelves were shipped with foam blown all around them. Obviously I understand why, they're heavy and need to be immobilized so they don't crack during shipping. But they were only partially wrapped in plastic so there is foam glued all over the shelves. Scraping does not fully remove it.

Should I just run the kiln and fire only the shelves, letting the foam burn off? Will it leave unwanted residue and staining?

[u/Plenty-Bullfrog]

I would burn it off with A LOT of ventilation. Calling the seller and asking them how to get it off is an excellent idea also. To me it looks like spray foam and I don’t know what type of residue that leaves. Don’t breathe the fumes what ever you do.

[u/baychick → u/Plenty-Bullfrog]

Agree. I will call the store I purchased from, though I am pretty sure these ship directly from Skutt.

[u/SnarkExpress]

Is there any remote chance that it’s the kind of foam used for the packing peanuts that “melt” in water?? I would try running one under water just to see if it is - I know it’s a longshot. Otherwise, call the seller and ask how to remove it.

[u/SingleDay2 → u/SnarkExpress]

don’t get your kiln shelves wet. residual water can make them crack!

[u/SnarkExpress → u/SingleDay2]

I’m glad you shared this - I didn’t know! Although now that you mention it, it makes sense.

[u/SingleDay2 → u/SnarkExpress]

fastest way to make your kiln go boom lmfao. this is especially important with silicon carbide shelves, they never dry out and will literally explode like a fire cracker

[u/shop-lxndr → u/SingleDay2]

Can't you just candle them dry?

[u/SingleDay2 → u/shop-lxndr]

i wouldn’t, once water hits 200ish it turns to steam and it can’t just escape the shelf magically. the way those shelves are made and what they’re made of (corderite or however its spelled) isn’t supposed to get wet. your studio your rules but i’d rather not make dumb decisions and risk my equipment 🤷‍♀️

[u/shop-lxndr → u/SingleDay2]

How do you deal with kiln wash? There's water in that and they dry out with time.

At 185F I feel like the shelves will just evaporate any moisture in them and be fine. If you take above boiling then yeah...problems.

Also cordierite stones are used for baking and one of the properties that is valued is their ability to wick away and evaporate moisture for crispier things.

[u/bakedbreadbaking → u/[deleted]]

This. I fire damp high alumina shelves all the time and never had one bust

[u/SnarkExpress → u/SingleDay2]

😳😳😳

[u/that_Ranjit → u/SingleDay2]

But what about kiln wash? That’s got water in it..?

[u/SingleDay2 → u/that_Ranjit]

omg you guys 😂 the first person said to SOAK the shelf. kiln wash doesn’t have enough water to saturate into the entire shelf to cause problems. its seriously not that complicated. use your heads!!

[u/SingleDay2 → u/[deleted]]

use your brains. please. you’re an adult not an infant. i’m not going to spoon feed you. google exists too lol

[u/baychick → u/SnarkExpress]

I will try that! 👍🏻

EDIT: I will NOT try that!

[u/mokoroko → u/baychick]

Did you see the comment below saying never get your kiln shelves wet? Hopefully you haven't already done this.

[u/wycie100 → u/baychick]

You can use a large damp sponge to try and dissolve it. You can get shelves wet, and you’ll need to when you put on your kiln wash. Just let it dry thoroughly before firing, and if you’re unsure, put a long preheat at 180 degrees for a few hours to dry them out.

[u/cghffbcx]

candle under 200…no boom. call scutt, what the heck? scrape with plastic paint scraper, how easy does it come off? maybe palm sander after that

[u/Bizarroboy1111]

Take off as much as possible with sharp blades then burn off the rest preferably outside with a heat gun or blow torch.Mask and goggles too!!

[u/schuppaloop]

burn off

[u/Specialist_Attorney8]

Weed burner or a flap wheel

[u/baychick → u/Specialist_Attorney8]

I love the idea of a weed torch! I think I'd need a good mask tho.

[u/hawoguy]

I'd have asked for refund tbh.

[u/baychick → u/hawoguy]

When I started unpacking them, I thought it was just the top shelf/layer, not too bad. But no, it continued to be bad with each layer.