New thicker firebricks
The firebricks in the roof, walls, door, and bottom are 3” thick. This is 20% more insulation than the standard 2 1/2” firebricks in the walls and bottom of our earlier F-130 kilns. The extra insulation enables the F-130 to maintain a temperature hold with greater ease.
Solid State Relays
The F130 has solid-state relays that are mounted to aluminum heat sinks. SSR's last far longer than standard mechanical relays and offer better temperature control during holds. SSR's also have no moving parts to wear out. You will also notice is that SSR's are silent. The only sound you will hear just the reassuring hum of the heating elements.
Sidewall heating elements
Sidewall heat is now standard in the Paragon F130 kiln. The element heats from the sides and back of the kiln in dropped, recessed wall grooves. We recommend that you order the optional safety door switch, which turns off the element when the door is raised. (The temperature controller will continue to operate when the safety switch turns off the elements.)
If you prefer an element in the top instead of the walls, please specify when you place your order. The price of the F-130 is the same whether the element is in the walls or the top. Top elements are mounted in deluxe pinless element grooves. For an extra fee, you can also order top and sidewall elements in the same kiln.
Deluxe door gaskets
Because of a gap under the small punty rod door, you can usually close the door all the way even when mandrels extend past the firing chamber. This helps to retain the heat in the kiln. Powerful, rare-earth magnets hold the punty rod door in the open and closed positions. To further retain heat, the 4” x 8” punty rod door is 2” thick and includes two woven, flexible high-temperature gaskets.
Slide-out mandrel holder
Paragon has added an adjustable mandrel holder to the front of the kiln. Adjust it horizontally and vertically without tools. Position the heavy-duty welded mandrel holder from 4 1/2” to 13” in front of the main section of the kiln floor. (Note: The firebrick extension on the front of the kiln extends 3” beyond the front edge of the kiln floor.) Then tighten the mandrel holder with the thumbscrews on each side of the kiln. The holder slides inside steel tubes ingeniously mounted in the base of the kiln. The stainless steel mandrel rest, which includes 7 slots, can also be adjusted vertically.
Sloped control panel
The control panel is angled for easy viewing and operation of the digital controller. Program the kiln from a comfortable position. The controller, pilot light, and switch are mounted on a brushed stainless steel plate. Gain easy access to the electrical components by removing the front panel.
