I have had a Skutt digital kiln for 20 ? years. Lately it has been firing hot on the bottom and not even bending a cone at the top. Elements are approximately 5 years old; relays have been changed in 6-7 years; I stagger my shelves; fire to cone 5. I think I do all the right things but I’m baffled. Glazed pots look good but wonder if pots at the top could look better. Any thoughts?
Love your teaching style.
Brenda

I'd do an element test for sure with that big a difference between the top and bottom.

How can you tell if the thermocouple shoud be changed. I used test cones and noticed that the cone on top had a pretty apparent bend of the cone 6 cone. Both 4 and 5 were very melted. The cone pack on the bottom was perfect. I always thought the top would be cooler not hotter? Suggestions?
This kiln has only been fired 92 times. I have not changed the thermocouple. The kiln is a skutt KM 1027.
As always any and all information is appreciated.

I finally found the reason for my cone 5 not bending at the top level. Josh at Skutt told me how to do an element test and result was an element was out. Further inspection in the kilN master showed a wire had come loose causing the element not to work. So I found the culprit 😐