BlueBird Digital Kiln - 120 Volt - Width: 20.0" - Height: 2.75" - Depth: 6.0" - Paragon
Details
The BlueBird safely anneals glass beads to prevent breakage during cooling. The kiln, made in America to exacting standards, opens doorways of opportunity in beadmaking. Enjoy a full 20” of width with the 2” x 10” / 50mm x 254mm double doors. This kiln is ideal for busy seminar teachers. It is like having two kilns in one.
Improved ceramic fiber firing chamber
The BlueBird features new sinusoidal “wavy” elements, which are embedded close to the inner surface of the high-tech, vacuum-formed ceramic fiber top. This is an improvement over our earlier embedded coiled elements, because the “wavy” elements are mounted closer to the surface. This enables the elements to radiate heat faster for longer element life. The ceramic fiber top reduces dust inside the kiln.
The BlueBird features space-age ceramic fiber walls and bottom for fast, efficiently heating.
Mandrel holders, glass rod warmer
Insert bead mandrels into the kiln. The mandrels rest outside the kiln on a 3”-deep slotted stainless steel mandrel holder, cradled at two points.
We have added exciting new performance-enhancing features to the BlueBird, such as the glass rod warmer on top of the kiln. Pre-heating glass rods saves production time.
Door latches and rare-earth magnets
Side latches hold the doors closed while the kiln is heating to annealing temperature. Phenolic knobs stay cool to the touch. Rare-earth magnets hold the doors open when needed. A safety switch on the front panel turns off power to the controller when the kiln is not in use. Use the switch to reboot the controller when needed.
Sloped panel for easy operation
To save table space, the Paragon Touch Express digital controller is mounted under the kiln in an ergonomic, sloped panel for easy operation. The built-in base stays cool even during extended hold times. It is slotted to dissipate heat and comes with mar-proof rubber feet.
The steel base supports the kiln in two layers. The upper steel base supports and strengthens the ceramic fiber floor; the lower steel base covers the entire kiln bottom where it rests on your worktable. Electrical components are mounted to the lower base, away from the heat of the firing chamber.
Economical to fire
The BlueBird plugs into a standard household outlet. It draws only 1,800 watts. Specially designed cartons and vacuum-formed padding assure that the kiln will arrive safely.
Digital controller
The BlueBird’s user-friendly Paragon Touch Express digital controller automatically maintains the annealing temperature that you select. The controller is packed with features but is user friendly.
Features of the BlueBird
- Digital Paragon Touch Express controller
- Double 10” x 2” doors
- Adjustable slotted stainless steel mandrel holder
- Glass rod warmer
- Door latches hold the doors closed; rare-earth magnets hold them open
- 6” deep firing chamber (measured with doors closed)
- Ceramic fiber roof, walls, and floor
- Embedded roof element
- 1”-thick ceramic fiber doors
- Mandrel holders with 20 slots
- 1500°F maximum temperature
- Mar-proof rubber feet
- On-off safety switch
Designed for production
Paragon’s warranty is not affected by frequency of use. Fire your new kiln every day if you want, even in commercial settings. That will have no effect on the warranty period.
Specifications:
- Warranty: One Year Limited Warranty
- Max Temp: 1500° F | 815.5° C
- Voltage: 120
- Amps: 15
- Phase: 1
- Hertz: 60
- Watts: 1800
- Cordset: Nema 5-15P
- Controller: Paragon Touch Express by Bartlett Instrument Company
- Kiln Type: Front Loading Square
- Sides: 4
Chamber Dimensions:
- Chamber Volume: 0.19 CU.FT. | 5.38 Liters
- Width: 20.0″ - 508mm
- Depth: 6.0″ - 152mm
- Height: 2.75″ - 70mm
- Outer Size: 27.0″W x 15.25"D x 14.5″H | 686W x 387D x 368H mm
- Ship Size: 31.0″W x 19.0″D x 22.0″H | 787W x 483D x 559H mm
Ratings & Reviews
2 reviews
Blue Bird
by Wesley -
Amazing Kiln. Easy to set up, easy to use . Great for a beginner working on smaller hollow work and beads. But as I grew to larger vessels i noticed i was slightly limited to what i could make do to the kiln door being kind of small. But hey they've got an XL to fix that problem. Other than that perfect kiln for beginners or smaller form glass workers.
Great Little Workhorse
by Anna Miller
As an avid lampworker, this kiln is indispensable. Once you have the program you like dialed in, it is super easy to get started on making beads instead of fiddling with the controls. It heats up quickly and retains the desired temperature withing couple of degrees. The versatility of adjusting and retaining several program cycles is very useful. It is comparatively light as far as kilns go and small footprint is convenient for beadmakers as it can fit on workbench. I use it to preheat my glass rods too, it minimizes the shockiness of some glass and eliminates the time spent having to warm up the glass in flame. The top of it is rather hot when in use, I place my murini in metal dish on top to preheat them. Jut don't touch! use pliers or some tool to pick up the dish. Being able to plug it right in to standard household outlet does not hurt either ;)