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Connie-C
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2025
For years I struggled with melting precious metals with a propane torch - don't waste your time or money using a torch. The big disadvantage to torches are inability to monitor actual temperatures being achieved and the amount of "wind" that torches produce - which caused contamination of melted samples.In my operation, I frequently have to melt very small samples which can not afford to be "blown" out of a crucible.This is my first experience with an electric precious metal furnace. I was very skeptical and took a long time to decide which one to purchase on Amazon.I bought the RIEDHOFF version (made in Italy) because it appeared to be durable, attractive and professional.When it arrived, I was immediately impressed with the packaging, weight, size and quality of construction. It operated flawlessly. Instructions were well written /illustrated and left no question unanswered.Internal temperatures are achieved within minutes, using the easy to use digital button panel. The warm-up temperatures allow the crucible to be seasoned. The selected temperatures, which I verified with my laser temperature gun (from Amazon), come within 10-20 degrees of accuracy. Actually, deep inside the melting chamber, the temperature can reach 1,200C. When using fluxes, quartz and platinum can be melted because the actual temperature inside of the flux-mass is much higher than the temperature inside the crucible. A lot of my samples are a mixture of gold /platinum that I need to separate. This RIEDHOFF does the job.You are not limited to using the provided graphite crucibles - as you can place smaller alumina or magnesia crucible inside the heating chamber.I can easily view the progress of the melting progress by looking inside. The RIEDHOFF came with gloves, prongs and two very nice graphite crucibles - which I have not used yet.With the provided prongs, I can easily remove smaller crucibles placed deep inside the melting chamber for purposes of pouring off slag and adding additional flux, then it is just as easy to place the crucible back inside to continue the smelting process.Now, for the first time in 10 years, I finally have complete control over my precious metal melting environment. With hands-free to do other things while the RIEDHOFF melting furnace is doing all the work.The product can be placed anywhere and does not produce any degree of external heat, so not to effect desks or floor surfaces upon which it is placed to operate.It efficiently uses electricity - does not overload my 110V wall plugs. Comes with a high-gauge power cord.Overall, the only question I ask myself is, why did I wait 10 years to buy one of these? At $234, free shipping and Amazon's satisfaction guarantee - it very quickly paid for itself considering the cost of propane and waste and mess of using a primitive torch.
Julie Bell
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2025
Just don't over use the crucible, it's only supposed to be used a few times and then can break.
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