kiln wash

[donec]

I just got a used kiln and I am wanting to test it. I have been given some 015 kiln sitter bars and in reading about testing the kiln there was mention of using kiln wash on the sitter bar supports and the sensing rod. Not knowing what kiln wash was I tried to do some research and what I read tells me kiln wash is to keep glaze drips from sticking to the shelves. I am wanting to work with metal clay and (at this time) not glass or pottery. Do I need to use kiln wash and why would it need to be applied to the kiln sitter bar supports and sensing rod?

Thanks in advance

[Metalman]

The sitter bars are made of a variety of ceramic/glaze chemicals to balance them out so that they melt at the correct temperature.
At cone 015, some of those chemicals may attach to the support rods or the sensors if they [the sitter bars] are touching them when they melt or move.
So - a touch of kiln wash will protect them

[donec]

The sitter bars are made of a variety of ceramic/glaze chemicals to balance them out so that they melt at the correct temperature.
At cone 015, some of those chemicals may attach to the support rods or the sensors if they [the sitter bars] are touching them when they melt or move.
So - a touch of kiln wash will protect them

Thanks Metalman, but why would they need protection? I mean it seems to me that the cones deform from heat and the sensor bar moves when the cone deforms.

[Metalman]

True - but its in the chemistry of the materials. The kiln wash will keep the melted ceramic material from sticking to the metal