At last, an alternative to stainless steel firing pans!

Create a no-flake firing box for even the smallest kiln. No-flake firing foil is easy to fold into a low cost, sturdy metal clay box that is easily moved in and out of the kiln, with kiln tongs (of course). And the best thing, it doesn't flake so keeps your kiln clean.

Ordinary stainless steel makes a good container for carbon firing because it wont melt at the high temperatures needed to sinter metal clays, but the extreme heat oxidizes and expands the metal. As the metal cools, tiny flakes of oxidized steel begin popping off the surface in a process called 'spalling'. You can see it and hear it and it can go on for hours after a firing leaving black flecks for several inches around the pan.

No-flake firing foil is made from a special alloy that does not spall.

The package contains the foil and folding instructions. Have a peep at the video below to see how to fold the box. You get two sheets of foil measuring 30cm (12") square. This is enough to make one good sized box with a lid.

Manufacturers Recomendations:

Some extra info:

(This info was collected from the great Metal Clay yahoo group, so therefore it is mostly peoples experiences and advice, not set in stone instructions).

• Some people say that the foil last longer than the stainless steel pans, as when the pans spall (flake), they get weaker and weaker until they eventually fail.
• Paying extra care when folding does pay off. If you are careful you will prevent tiny tears being introduced during folding, which can enlarge during firing.
• You may have to amend your firing temperatures slightly if you have been using a stainless steel pan. As the foil is much thinner, you may need to lower the temperature.
• Test pieces is always the best way to go. The worst thing is spending ages on a piece and end up with a bad firing.
• When measuring up for size, make sure to leave room around the box so that the air can circulate around it.
• To work out the right sizes and master the folding process, why not practice on a paper version first.
• As they are made out of foil, then can be a bit less sturdy than the stainless steel pans. So be careful for wobbles whilst taking them in and out of the kiln.
• These boxes do develop cracks eventually, so you may have to replace them as and when.