Warranties
JEN-KEN KILNS WARRANTY
JEN-KEN KILNS (Sir Ramic Porcelain, Inc.) warrants to the original purchaser that its kilns are free from defects in materials and workmanship when used under normal and proper conditions. This warranty begins on the date of the original purchase from JEN-KEN KILNS or an authorized distributor/dealer and is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations outlined below.
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JEN-KEN KILNS WARRANTY PERIOD
Warranty Period:
- Brick Kilns: 2-year warranty
- Fiber Kilns: 1-year warranty
Warranty Start Date: For kilns sold directly or drop-shipped from JEN-KEN KILNS, the warranty starts from the ship date of the kiln from our factory. For kilns sold new and unused by a distributor, the warranty starts from the ship or sale date, provided it is within one year of leaving JEN-KEN KILNS' facility.
Delayed Operation: The warranty does not cover any periods during which the kiln's operation is delayed due to shipping, warehousing, or other factors beyond the purchaser’s control.
Old Stock: Kilns stored for over two years will have a reduced warranty period.
CONTROLLER WARRANTIES
JEN-KEN KILNS equips its kilns with controllers from leading manufacturers. All controller warranties are provided directly by the manufacturer and are subject to their respective terms and conditions:
Orton Ceramics Controllers
- AutoFire (AF4X) 3-Button Controller Panel: 2-Year Warranty
- AutoFire 4000 12-Button Controller Panel: 2-Year Warranty
- AutoFire Slide Touchscreen Controller Panel: 2-Year Warranty
Visit ortonceramics.com for full warranty info.
SDS Industries Controllers
- TAP I & II Controllers: 3-Year Warranty
Visit kilncontrol.com for full warranty info.
WARRANTY CLAIMS
To make a warranty claim, the purchaser must:
- Provide proof of purchase: A dated sales receipt for the kiln or controller.
- Provide the kiln serial number: Located on the top right side of the control box.
- Indicate where the kiln was purchased: Whether directly from JEN-KEN KILNS or through an authorized dealer/distributor.
- For controller repairs: If the issue is not obvious and cannot be resolved through troubleshooting with JEN-KEN KILNS technicians, you may need to send in the control box or specific parts for servicing.
- For purchasers outside the contiguous United States: We will provide the replacement part(s), and the customer will be responsible for the shipping costs.
KILN PARTS & TROUBLESHOOTING
⚠️ IMPORTANT DO NOT DISCARD ANY PARTS BEFORE CONTACTING JEN-KEN KILNS FOR INSTRUCTIONS.⚠️
FAILURE TO FOLLOW JEN-KEN KILNS’ INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL AND THIS WARRANTY, WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.
In some cases, Jen-Ken Kilns may require defective parts to be returned for inspection. Troubleshooting is typically conducted over the phone while you are with the kiln or controller to help diagnose the issue.
Replacement Parts & Support: We stand by our products and want your kiln to perform reliably. If a covered part (excluding digital controller parts, which are covered under a separate warranty from the manufacturer) fails within the warranty period, we will provide a replacement part and assist you—or someone qualified—to install it via phone support and/or instructional videos. Our kilns are designed for easy servicing, with color-coded wiring for clarity.
- Parts Return: Defective parts must be returned to Jen-Ken Kilns with shipping prepaid by the customer, unless otherwise specified.
- Return Shipping: For customers within the contiguous 48 U.S. states, return shipping of kiln parts will be covered by Jen-Ken Kilns.
Once you have received your replacement part(s) and made the repair, please email photos of the completed repair(s) to JenKenKilns@gmail.com for verification of proper installation.
ON-SITE LABOR
On-site labor is not covered under this warranty. All warranty work will be performed at our facility in Lakeland, FL, at no charge during the warranty period.
Any labor provided by JEN-KEN KILNS dealers or distributors will be at their discretion and expense.
WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS
This warranty applies to JEN-KEN KILNS made of brick and/or fiber, used for their intended purposes in non-industrial ceramics, glass, and metals.
The following are not covered by JEN-KEN KILNS' warranties, and circumstances that will void the warranty:
1. Use of Non-Genuine Parts: Use of elements or other parts other than genuine parts from JEN-KEN KILNS will void the warranty.
2. Harmful Atmospheres: Firing materials that introduce harmful atmospheres, such as carbon, reducing atmospheres, binders from lusters, wax burn-out effluents, and salts, may damage the kiln. Proper venting is required for some firings.
3. Crucible Coils: Crucible coils are not warranted.
4. Environmental Exposure: Exposure to humidity, rain, snow, dust, and salt air will cause corrosion, rust, and other damage. Kilns stored or used outside or in damp environments are not covered.
5. Cracked Parts: No warranty applies to cracked walls, tops, lids, or bottoms of the kiln.
6. Kiln Controllers (Orton & SDS Industries): Orton (AutoFire AF4X, AutoFire 4000, AutoFire Slide, Orton Kiln Sitter) and SDS Industries (TAP I & TAP II) kiln controllers are covered by their respective manufacturers. JEN-KEN KILNS is not responsible for damage caused by control failures.
7. Corrosion of Metal Jackets or Frames: The kiln’s metal jacket or frame can corrode over time, especially when exposed to moisture, and is not covered under warranty.
8. Damage from Neglect or Improper Use: Damage caused by neglect, improper storage, mechanical abuse, or misuse is not covered.
9. Damage from Inadequate Ventilation: Damage to elements and element grooves due to glaze or ceramic shards is not covered if proper kiln cleaning and maintenance are not followed.
10. Extreme Room Conditions: Firing in excessively hot environments (such as metal buildings or garages in the desert) can damage components, particularly the controller. Kilns should be fired in cool, dry environments.
11. Unreported Issues: Issues must be reported within 15 days of occurrence or when they become known to be covered under warranty.
12. Alterations or Modifications: Any alteration of the kiln or original factory design will void the warranty.
13. Thermocouples: Thermocouples are not warranted against breakage.
THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER
- Freight damage
- Damage from disassembling or reassembling the kiln
- Altered kilns
- Abuse or neglect, including exposure to moisture and improper storage
- Improper installation
- Kiln overfiring (exceeding the melting temperatures of the materials being fired) is not covered by warranty, regardless of the cause. This typically occurs when kilns are not properly monitored during firing. Always monitor the kiln throughout the entire firing cycle and turn it off if you're uncertain at any point.
- Kilns operated on incorrect voltage
- Improper electrical installation
- Kiln furniture
- Kiln ware
- Kilns used for purposes other than firing ceramic or glass materials.
- Kilns operated beyond the kiln's temperature rating.
- Damage resulting from kilns fired on or near combustible materials (e.g., wood floors)
WARRANTY REPAIRS
- Common Warranty Issues: Most warranty claims involve a part failure, such as a burned-out heating element or a faulty relay. We will send you the replacement part and assist with the installation over the phone, as needed.
- Repair Process: Warranty repairs should be handled by the dealer or distributor where you purchased the kiln. They will arrange for repairs or part replacements under the warranty terms, upon receipt of the kiln or defective part(s). Warranty work, unless performed at the factory, includes parts only—labor is not covered.
Defective parts can be returned to JEN-KEN KILNS (postage prepaid) at:
3615 Ventura Drive West, Lakeland, Florida 33811, USA
Please include your name, address, a letter of explanation, and the name and address of the seller. If the part is found defective after examination, a replacement part will be sent prepaid by JEN-KEN KILNS. - Returning the Entire Kiln: If the entire kiln needs to be returned to the factory, the purchaser is responsible for all transportation costs. Please notify JEN-KEN KILNS at (863) 648-0585 prior to shipping. We will advise on the best shipping method and whether to return the entire kiln or only specific parts. Factory warranty work will be completed within 30 days after receiving the defective part.
- Kiln Replacement: JEN-KEN KILNS reserves the right, at its discretion, to replace the entire kiln or any part of it to fulfill the warranty obligations after the kiln has arrived back at JEN-KEN KILNS.
ELEMENTS, RELAYS & THERMOCOUPLES
Elements and thermocouples are covered by a two (2) year warranty, with the following exceptions:
- Glaze Damage: Damage to elements caused by accidentally scraping unfired glazed ware against the element groove. WARNING: Contaminating the element with unfired glaze can cause significant damage, lead to element failure, and create a fire hazard.
- Excessive Firing: Firing the kiln to a temperature that exceeds either the kiln's maximum rating or 2300°F.
- Explosion Damage: Damage caused by the explosion of ceramic objects during firing. Clay shards can damage the coils and lead to element failure.
Elements:
- Coil Replacement: Coil replacements are limited to new kilns. Jen-Ken Kilns does not warrant replacement elements or thermocouples, except in cases of catastrophic failure (e.g., when an element end breaks off due to no fault of the operator).
- Replacement Warranty Coils: Replacement coils will be provided only for the specific coil(s) being replaced. If a coil breaks, you will receive one replacement coil, and we may ask you to return the broken coil for inspection.
- Labor: Labor costs for replacing elements, thermocouples, and relays are not covered by the warranty. Most parts are easy to replace, and phone support is available to guide you.
Relays:
- Mechanical Relays: These relays are rated for a few hundred thousand clicks. The longer the firing, the more clicks occur, which reduces the relay’s lifespan. We offer a two (2) year warranty on mechanical relays, regardless of whether your firings are long or short.
- Solid-State Relays and Mercury Relays: These should last for many years.
- Phone support is available to help with relay replacement.
Thermocouples:
- Thermocouples are easy to replace and typically wear out due to high-temperature firings or adverse kiln atmospheres caused by fumes from the materials placed inside. If a thermocouple fails, we require a picture of the tip or the part itself to assess its condition before we can ship a replacement under warranty.
Note: Damage caused by hitting or breaking the thermocouple during loading or unloading is not covered under warranty.
OVERFIRING
Damage to the kiln caused by overfiring (exceeding the kiln’s temperature rating) is not covered under warranty, regardless of the cause, as the kiln must always be properly monitored during the firing process. When monitored correctly, the controller will detect and prevent overfires.
If the kiln exceeds its programmed temperature or reaches an unsafe level during the firing cycle, it should be immediately turned off and disconnected from power. Contact Jen-Ken Kilns for support.
Note on Controllers: The Dawson Kiln Sitter, Orton Kiln Sitter, Orton AutoFire (AF4X) 3-Button, Orton AutoFire 4000 12-Button, Orton AutoFire Slide, TAP I & TAP II controllers, and any other electronic control used by Jen-Ken Kilns are not failproof shutoff devices. Failures may occur due to power surges or aging components, which could cause the kiln to exceed its expected temperature. Jen-Ken Kilns is not responsible for any damage resulting from the failure of these controls.
Monitoring Your Kiln: It’s essential to monitor the kiln throughout the firing process, ensure the firing is complete, and turn the kiln off after use. Always confirm that the pilot lights are off and the kiln is cooling before leaving it unattended. Think of it like cooking: just as you turn off the stove burners when you're done, make sure the kiln is powered off and cooling before you leave.
KILN WALLS AND LIDS
Kiln bricks are fragile and may chip, crack, or create dust if bumped or rubbed. While Jen-Ken Kilns designs its refractory brick kilns to minimize dusting (such as coating the lids to reduce dust), cracking is inevitable over time due to the nature of the material. This is a normal occurrence in all kilns and is not covered under warranty.
Minor cracking in the walls is also normal in fiber kilns. This typically happens as the internal surface shrinks slightly more than the exterior due to thermal cycling. Such cracking will occur in all fiber kilns. To address this, we offer a patch material made from the same fiber as the kiln. This material, similar to wet cotton, can be applied to fill gaps. It can be gently scraped or wiped smooth to restore the surface.
LIMITATIONS OF WARRANTY AND LIABILITY
JEN-KEN KILNS' warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of defective items. Most kilns are not eligible for return. Distributors and dealers are not authorized to modify or assume any obligations beyond those specified in this warranty. Any such modifications or additional obligations are void.
"As Is" Sale: Except as expressly stated in this warranty, kilns are sold "as is." JEN-KEN KILNS makes no other warranties, either express or implied, and specifically disclaims all implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The purchaser acknowledges that factors such as climate conditions, improper use, or inadequate maintenance, over which JEN-KEN KILNS has no control, may arise. The purchaser assumes full responsibility and releases JEN-KEN KILNS from any resulting liability.
Limitation of Liability: JEN-KEN KILNS is not liable for incidental, secondary, or consequential damages, including but not limited to bodily injury or death, lost profits, loss of use, or other economic loss. JEN-KEN KILNS' total liability is limited to direct damages, not exceeding the actual purchase price paid. At JEN-KEN KILNS' discretion, replacement, repair, or a refund of the purchase price shall be the exclusive remedy. Any legal action for breach of contract or negligence must be initiated within one (1) year from delivery.
This warranty replaces all other warranties, express or implied. JEN-KEN KILNS neither assumes nor authorizes any distributor, dealer, retailer, or employee to assume additional obligations or liabilities in connection with the kiln.
This warranty is limited as outlined above and excludes incidental or consequential damages. These limitations or exclusions may not apply to you, as some states may provide different rights. Please refer to your state’s consumer protection laws.
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