In order to make a wise choice when selecting a kiln, ask yourself a few basic questions:

1. Is the location you have planned for your kiln equipped with 110/120, 208 or 220/240 volts? Do you have single or 3-phase power? Is there a circuit that can be dedicated to your kiln with the right amount of amperage? If you desire gas fired, do you need natural or propane gas? Do you have any local restrictions regarding firing a gas kiln?

2. What type of work are you firing? Will you be firing thin, poured ceramics, handbuilt pottery, wheel-thrown pottery or sculpture? Thin ware will be fired very rapidly, sculpture will be fired and cooled very slowly. Handmade pieces benefit from a kiln with 3" brick because of the slower cool time.

3. What maximum cone will be required? It is not always necessary to buy a cone 10 kiln if you are only going to fire to low-fire. The kilns we sell are capable of firing to their UL temperature every day if needed. We reccomend a cone 10 kiln if you make a consistent habit of firing to cone 6 or above.

4. What size are the items and how many do you plan to fire at a time? Chamber size can be deceiving, if possible, make a circle diagram and set down several pieces to envision how many items will be able to fit on a kiln shelf layer. In electric, the shelves are 1-2" smaller on each side than the actual chamber dimension. Take care to select a kiln large enough for what you are doing now as well as what you may do in the future.

5. Do you want the kiln to be very portable? A sectional kiln is much more portable than a one piece unit.

6. Is energy savings an important consideration? A 3" wall brick will save approximately 20% less to fire compared to a 2 -1/2" brick kiln.

7. Do you want the kiln to be manually operated with switches and pyrometric cones or do you want a totally digital kiln? A manual kiln will require you to turn up the switches over the firing of your kiln, the cone melt will shut off your kiln. A digital kiln requires very little time to set up and no further firing maintenance. With a computerized kiln, you have the option of firing by digital cone, just like a regular kiln, or setting up a complex digital temperature firing and cooling schedule. Digital kilns do not use pyrometric cones to regulate shut-off.

8. What type of power do you have available? Do you have 110/120, 208, or 220/240V? Do you have single or three phase power. (Most American residential homes have 220/240V, 1-phase power. Many schools or commercial sites have different power, please check first.) All kiln orders from schools must state in writing the power requirements before shipment will be made. Normal 220/240V, 1-phase will be shipped if you do not specify. Be very sure of your power, it is your responsibility, so, an error is very expensive and time consuming to remedy.

9. Do you have the necessary amperage available to dedicate to your electric kiln? Ask us how much amperage draw you will need for the kiln you wish to use. If the kiln you want has a recommended 60 amp, it must be a single 60 amp breaker, not any other combination. Kilns only read one breaker and will not fire properly if under amperage. If your breaker box will be over 35 feet away from your kiln, you will need a #4 copper wire, under 35 feet and a # 6 copper wire will do fine.

10. If you are buying a gas kiln, do you need natural or propane set-up? Most of the time natural gas will be slightly cheaper to use compared to propane. In general, propane is a very good choice for Raku firing, whereas natural gas does very well with traditional cone 10 reduction. Decide at the time of your purchase which will be best for you.

11. Have you thought about the future? Consider your needs now, but, remember they may change for the future. We generally suggest that you buy the biggest kiln you think you will need a little down the road, unless you have established a firm style of work.

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