Hiya everyone!

I was wondering if anyone could help with a few kiln issues I have:

I have just bought a new paragon sc2 and have just used it for the 1st time and a few of my pieces melted (I fired it at 900 for 2 hours), the pieces were at the top and round the edges so I know to try and put things nearer the centre next time (although some of the embeddable fine silver findings on pieces in the centre also melted). I'd really like to fire things at a lower temperature to reduce the risk of melting and I have heard that it is possible to get a just as strong end piece by firing for longer at a slightly lower temp?? does anyone know if this is true? and If so what the temp and times are?

Also some of my pieces have a crystalline appearance after they came out of the kiln, the majority of this was removed with the steel brush and the tumbler but I still have a slightly uneven crystally finish on some bits - any ideas what is causing this?

Thanks so much to you all for such a helpful source of info!!

Kind Regards,

Charlotte