Kwik Kiln Melting
Instructions
1. Place the Kwik Kiln on
a level, fireproof surface. Align the torches with the side ports and gently
insert the torch tips approximately ¼” into the side ports of the Kwik Kiln.
Secure the torches with a suitable device, to prevent the torches from rolling
and to ensure that the valves and tips are parallel with the surface.
2. Remove one of the
torches and light it. Adjust the valve so that you have a clean, blue flame
approximately 1½” long. Re-insert the torch gently into the side port of the
Kwik Kiln and replace the lid. Allow the Kwik Kiln to warm up for a few
minutes, then slowly open the valve on the second torch until it lights. Once
both torches are lit, remove the lid and adjust the valves on both torches
until you have a clean blue flame protruding into the combustion chamber of the
Kwik Kiln approximately 1/4” to 1/2”.
3. Depending upon the
height of your melting crucible, place the spacer ring on the top of the Kwik
Kiln and then replace the lid. You need to have approximately ¼” of clearance
between the top of your melting crucible and the bottom of the lid when the
crucible is placed into the Kwik Kilns combustion chamber and the lid is in
place. Allow the Kwik Kiln to warm up to a bright orange while preparing your
crucible melt. You should have a flame approximately 2” to 4” tall exiting the
top port of the lid.
4. Place approximately ¼
to ½ teaspoon of the melting flux into the graphite mini crucible, then up to 1
ounce of your clean placer gold, scrap gold or silver into the mini crucible on
top of the flux. Utilizing your mini tongs, remove the lid from the Kwik Kiln,
then place your crucible into the kiln centering the crucible in the combustion
chamber of the Kwik Kiln. Replace the lid on the Kwik Kiln and allow the
crucible to heat up.
Important Tip: When
melting your gold or silver, it is important to maintain a reduced
environment (oxygen free) within the mini crucible. The mini crucible is made
of graphite, which helps to promote a reduced environment by itself and, by
directing the flame over the top of the mini crucible, you are going to create
an absolute reduced environment during your melt. Slide the lid toward you
approximately 1/4 of the width of the lid, so that you can still observe the
melt taking place. Doing this directs the flame coming from the combustion
chamber, alongside the backside of the mini crucible and across the top of the
mini crucible, as the flame finally exits through the top port of the lid. This
creates an absolute reduced environment by sealing the top of the mini crucible
from atmospheric oxygen with the flame and speeds up the melt as well.
5. After your gold or
silver has melted, allow the mini crucible to remain in the Kwik Kiln for a couple
of minutes, so that it is hot enough (yellow heat) to pour into your mold,
without the metal solidifying during your pour. If needed, you can carefully
add more metal to the crucible until it is approximately three quarters full -
approximately 6 ounces of gold or 3 ounces of silver. Once everything is hot
enough, remove the lid from the Kwik Kiln using your mini tongs. Remove the
mini crucible and pour slowly but purposely into your mold. After you pour your
melt into the mold, the flux will seal the top of your melt from any
atmospheric oxygen, so that you have a shiny, un-oxidized surface when you
separate the gold or silver from the flux. We recommend a graphite mold, since
it readily releases your pour from the mold without additional release agents
or procedures needed.
Tip: When you are getting
ready to pour, with your palm facing up, place the mini tongs in your hand with
the tips of the mini tongs facing down. You can then remove the lid, grasp the
mini crucible by its outside edge wall and pour into your mold by simply
rotating your wrist forward, towards the mold. This takes a little practice but
works great.
6. Once your pour has
cooled, remove the pour from the mold and tap the flux with a suitable tool
until it comes free from your gold or silver.
Tip: If you want an
un-marked ingot, gently tap the ingot with your tool until the easily removed
flux comes off and then place your gold or silver ingot in a glass jar of white
vinegar. The flux will dissolve overnight and your ingot will be shiny and
un-marked after removing the loosened flux.
GRAPHITE
CRUCIBLE EROSION
External crucible erosion
is directly related to the flame from the torches contacting the exterior
surface of the graphite crucibles used in the Kwik Kiln. The graphite crucibles
are slowly consumed during the process. However; if the torches are turned up
too high, the blue pencil tip portion of the flame will cut grooves into the
exterior of the crucible, causing premature failure of the crucible. The valves
on some pencil tip torches are very touchy, when the torches are placed on
their side and no two torches seem to perform the same. For this reason, we
recommend Mag-torches as our chosen pencil tip torches to use with our Kwik
Kiln, as they are more stable.
The following procedures
will help to eliminate exterior crucible erosion:
Align the torches with
the ports in the kiln and place the tip of them just inside of the stainless
steel shell, approximately ¼” inch.
Remove one of the torches
and light it. Adjust the flame to where the center blue pencil flame is
approximately 1” to 1 ¼”. Lay the torch on its side and insert the torch into
the port. With the lid and spacer removed, adjust the flame so that the tip of
the blue flame penetrates inside of the kiln approximately ¼” to ½”.
Open the valve on the
other torch and adjust the flame as described, so that both flames are equal.
Place the spacer onto the kiln and let the kiln warm up for a few minutes
without the lid in place. When the kiln gets hot, the blue torch flames seem to
recede into the ports as the torches stabilize. Once the kiln is hot, the
combustion taking place inside the kiln is much more efficient than when the
kiln is cold and you can then re-adjust the flame until the blue pencil tip of
the flame is penetrating into the kiln approximately ¼” to ½”.
Following the procedures
described above will help to eliminate the exterior crucible erosion and the
kiln will ultimately reach the temperatures needed for melting. You can also
rotate the crucible so that any grooving is not placed into the path of the
flames entering the kiln, as well. Observing the interior of the Kwik Kiln and
the flames in the daylight is difficult. However, if you take your Kwik Kiln
outside at night, it’s easy to see what is going on inside of it. Carefully
monitor your crucibles exterior as you use them. With proper adjustment of the
torches, I have crucibles with over a dozen pours on them.
Enjoy, be Safe and
Good Luck out there!
Your Gold Processing
Kilns Team
DISCLAIMER
No guarantee is given
regarding the amount of gold, silver, or other precious metals obtained from
this process, as it depends upon the quality of your materials to begin with
and your own skills. These are kilns that may ultimately generate
temperatures in excess of 2200F degrees. Use at your own risk and follow all
recommended and common-sense safety precautions. The kiln and kit materials
are not toys and are not to be used by children. Sellers are not responsible
for accidents or injuries caused by hot kilns or the contents thereof. Using
one purchased from this seller acknowledges that you use it at your own risk
and are fully aware of all hazards associated with using the kiln and the
process of melting metals.