Kiln Firing Schedule

(Jeanne)

If I have an empty kiln can I fire it directly to 1000 degrees or do I have to take it up in stages? Will the heating coil be damaged?

Milly's answer:
The simple answer is yes, you can fire an empty kiln without harming the elements.
What I'm not sure of - as you don't say where you're from - is whether that's 1000F or 1000C degrees (555C or 1800F), which is a HUGE difference.
You also don't say what you're doing, which is tantalising for a nosy person like me! If it's the lower temperature, you could be drying out moulds (except you said 'empty'!) or a damp glass kiln that hasn't been used for a while. If this is the case I'd take it up at about 60C/108F an hour, and soak it at the top temperature for an hour to allow the material time to dry out.
If it's the higher temperature, there's no reason why you shouldn't fire it empty to 1000C/1800F degrees - the kiln firing schedule shouldn't harm the elements.
I'm very intrigued... I can't think of any reason to take a glass kiln that high...AH-HA! Perhaps you're not a 'glass' person at all, and this is not a glass related question, but a kiln question??!
It would be great if you could put me out of my inquisitive misery, but in the meantime, I hope this answer has helped.

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