Temperature conversion issues

In most situations in kilnforming a precise temperature is not critical and a ‘rounded’ or approximate temperature is appropriate and safe to use.

When converting from one temperature scale to the other it will generally happen that what was an approximate or ‘about’ number in one scale will appear to be extremely precise in the other.

In published literature the conversion from the native scale of the author is normally done strictly according to formula.

Consider the fusing soak temperature. In both books and product literature this is often given as 1480°F and then converted as 804°C. In practice, 800°C is regarded as an acceptable fusing temperature where the Celsius scale is the norm.

Consider programme steps frequently quoted in the Fahrenheit scale and their direct Celsius conversions:

There can be little doubt that the Fahrenheit numbers are approximate, round about, near enough.

Such isn’t the case with the Celsius numbers. How much more precise could 399 appear? Experienced kilnformers know that there isn’t the need for such preciseness, and that process temperatures can vary somewhat: provided that the correct amount of heatwork is done on the glass. 

Much available literature uses Fahrenheit with Celsius equivalents. Newcomers to kilnforming to whom the Celsius scale is the norm may find the implied preciseness an obstacle to their proper understanding of the glass firing process.

In Australia the Celsius scale prevails so it will take precedence: with the Fahrenheit conversion appended.

However, in this website:

Temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius will be rounded up or down, to denote the degree of preciseness considered appropriate: unless dealing with specific values such as the freezing or boiling points of water at sea level.

°C and °F numbers appearing side by side will USUALLY NOT be direct conversions.