Paragon Xpress-E-12A

The digital Xpress-E-12A fires to 2000°F (1093°C)*. Create breathtaking jewelry or small keepsakes in silver clay, enameling, china painting, glass, lost wax casting, bronze clay, or ceramics. Since the kiln opens from the front, it is ideal for copper enameling.

Imagine the glass you could sag, slump, and fuse with this kiln. Make small bowls, pendants, earrings, cufflinks, and even bracelets. Enjoy the glittering beauty of dichroics. This kiln will give you years of creative enjoyment.

The Xpress-E-12A comes with the Sentry Xpress digital controller mounted in the kiln base (instead of a side switch box) to save table space. The kiln includes a door safety switch that turns off the element when the door is opened. The controller automatically resumes firing when you close the door.

The Sentry Xpress 3-key controller is packed with features. It includes two modes: Single Speed and 8-segment Ramp-Hold.

Features of the Sentry Xpress 3-key Controller on the Paragon Xpress-E-112A

• Design programs with up to 8 segments (steps) in Ramp-Hold mode.
• Fire to a single temperature at a single speed in the simplified Single Segment mode.
• Ramp-Hold mode can store 4 programs.
• Skip Segment feature in Ramp-Hold mode
• Temperature hold
• The Sentry Xpress can control both heating and cooling.
• Program Review lets you check that the program you are about to fire is correct.
• Temperature Display throughout firing and cooling in your choice of °F or °C
• Error Messages report mechanical problems such as a disconnected thermocouple, stuck relay or broken element.
• 12 Month Warranty
• LED Lights show whether you are in program, review, or firing mode.

The Xpress-E-12A heating element, exposed in dropped, recessed insulating firebrick grooves, is easy to replace if ever necessary. The 2 1/2” thick firebricks store plenty of heat for slow cooling through the glass annealing range. For small glass pieces such as jewelry, you can anneal without having to turn the element back on during cooling. (If extra heat is necessary to anneal large pieces, that is easy. Just program a slow cooling segment in Ramp-Hold mode.) The firebricks store heat for quick temperature recovery after removing a copper enameling piece.

The thermocouple is protected with a high-nickel stainless steel sheath for long life. A switch on the front panel turns off power to the controller when the kiln is not in use.

Unlatch and open the door with one hand; the latch operates so smoothly that delicate copper enameling or silver clay pieces remain undisturbed while opening or closing the door. The door opens smoothly on a heavy-duty 1/2” hinge shaft. No extra stand is needed; the built-in base stays cool even during extended hold times.

The interior is large enough to fire a 10” bronze clay container. A vent hole in the top, complete with tapered vent plug, is designed for lost wax casting. You can also vent combustible cork clay and other fillers used with silver clay.

Optional Furniture Kit

1 – C-11 Shelf (7 1/2” x 11" x 1/2”)
4 – 1/2” long, 1” wide Square Posts
1 lb. Bag Glass Separator

Glass is fired in the kiln on a shelf. Coat the shelf with glass separator to prevent the glass from sticking to the shelf. Place short posts between the shelf and the kiln bottom to circulate heat around the shelf.

Paragon’s durable cordierite shelves resist warpage and thermal shock. They are volume-stable. (Note: The photo shows a general assortment of furniture rather than the exact contents of this shelf kit.)

Optional Glass Viewing Window 

The 1" x 3" window is available on the smaller kilns such as the E-9A and Q-11A. Watch the bright red kiln interior through the optional 1” x 3” high-temperature glass window. (Note: always wear firing safety glasses when viewing the kiln interior.) The glass window is guaranteed up to 2300°F.

The window is especially useful for glass fusing and copper enameling. Conveniently watch your glass treasures progress through every stage from tack fuse to full fuse.

Enamelists have said, "I can't live without the window!" As you look through the window, angle your line of sight so that the glow from an element reflects off the surface of the enameling piece.

First, the enamel will appear granulated. As the glass particles begin to fuse, the surface will resemble an orange peel. Remove the rack when the copper piece appears a rosy red and the reflection of the glowing element is smooth.

Optional Door Safety Switch

The optional door safety switch turns off power to the heating elements when the door is opened. The controller remains powered. The switch turns the power to the elements back on when the door is closed. The switch mounts to the top of the door hinge shaft. Paragon recommends the safety switch on enameling kilns where enameling pieces are inserted into a hot kiln, and on glass kilns where the hot glass is raked or embossed. IMPORTANT: The door safety switch is required in some areas such as Canada and Europe.

Specifications