This is the Best Mini Pottery Kiln for Your Home Studio 

I’ve been on my pottery journey for a couple of years now, and naturally, I’ve reached the stage where I’m dying to have a home studio. And ideally, I’d have the works—a sun-drenched studio with a high end wheel, all the throwing/trimming/glazing tools and accoutrements, and of course, a kiln. In reality, we’re working out of my parent’s garage/my apartment with a tiny wheel. So, I’ve been researching the best mini pottery kiln options. I’m looking for something that’s small, relatively  affordable, and would allow me to work on my own schedule. 

I’ve scoured the web and compiled all my research—I’ve combed through dozens of product listings, browsed the depths of r/pottery, and watched all of the YouTube video tutorials to see which mini pottery kiln gives me the best bang for my buck and the best results. Without further ado, here are my final contenders. Let’s dive in. . 

Our Mini Pottery Kiln Research 

L&L Plug-n-Fire Craft & Test Kiln ($1,399.00)

The L&L Plug-n-Fire Craft & Test Kiln popped up first in my internet search frenzy, and this little powerhouse boasts features a plenty. The standout, holy grail aspect of this kiln (if you will) is its ability to fire up to cone 10. Most minis only fire up to cone 6, so that earned the L&L Plug-n-Fire a major fist pump in the air.  

In terms of the size, the interior of this top-loading kiln measures 8”x8”x9”, and comes with one square shelf and three 3” posts to support it. That means if I really packed a bisque fire, I could potentially fit ~49 of my itty bitty 1 inch pots on each shelf. Talk about capacity! Now, if you’re looking at mini kilns to fire bigger items (think: mugs, vases, etc…), I’d say you’re looking at about 4-ish pieces per fire. For a production potter, that’s only a drop in the pottery bucket, but if you’re a chronic hobbyist (like myself), it might just be the perfect kiln for you. 

Another major perk? This electric kiln plugs into a standard outlet. No fancy electrician work needed here, folks. The L&L Plug-n-Fire simply requires you to plug it into the wall to get “fired up.” Better yet, the kiln comes with pre-programed firing schedules that do the hard work for you. But, if you’re more of a “I like to select my own special settings” kind of guy or gal, never fear. The L&L allows you to customize the program (glaze or bisque), cone, preheat time, speed of firing, and time to hold at peak. So, whether you go with the standard settings or get experimental, the L&L is here to help you kill the kiln game. 

After I scoured product pages and watched a few YouTube videos on how to make the most of the Plug-n-Fire, I naturally took to the Reddit forums to get the unfiltered truth. The verdict? This kiln fires according to plan, and produces beautiful results. Cue the confetti! Redditers did mention strong fumes come off the kiln, and that you need to ventilate throughout firing. All in all, though, the reviews glowed as bright as a pot at peak kiln temperature.

Pros

• Sizable (as far as small kilns go)
• Plugs into a standard outlet 
• Fires up to cone 10
• Straightforward firing process with pre-programmed firing schedules 
• Includes a kiln shelf 
• Touch screen control (and comes with an app!)

Cons

• Fumes from kiln are quite strong (need to ventilate) 

Skutt FireBox 8×6 LT Kiln ($1088.00)

Looking for a kiln that’s a touch cheaper, but still reliable? The Skutt FireBox is calling your name. Coming in at $300 less than the L&L, this tiny kiln boasts many of the features that we love about its counterpart. It plugs into normal household voltage, it includes a shelf with three posts to maximize firing potential, and it also features pre-programmed firing schedules to make using your kiln as easy as making a tiny pinch pot. 

And the results? Stunning. Just check out this video we found from @golden_ceramics. The kiln gods clearly look favorably on this tiny kiln! 

But, we’d be remiss to not call out some of the cons of FireBox. While Skutt is a household brand amongst potters, they are known to require more maintenance and upkeep. With regards to the size, it is 6 inches tall compared to the L&L’s 9 inches. And when it comes to throwing, size does matter. Lastly, this mini kiln only fires up to Cone 6. So, if you’re looking to do mini Cone 10 work, you’re up a clay creek. 

Pros

• Plugs into a standard outlet 
• Straightforward firing process with pre-programmed firing schedules 
• Includes a kiln shelf 
• Simple control panel 
• Lid opens over 90 degrees
• Comes with built-in stand 

Cons

• Only fires up to cone 6
• Smaller interior size
• No ventilation 

The L&L Plug-n-Fire vs. the Skutt FireBox: Which is the Best Mini Pottery Kiln?

In an epic “throw down” of the ages, one mini kiln emerges victorious…The L&L Plug-n-Fire. While both kilns have their perks and quirks, the L&L Plug-n-Fire is easily the best mini pottery kiln on the market. We love so much about this mini kiln—its ability to firm to cone 10, its roomy interior space, its app-compatible functionalities—it’s the future of mini firing at its finest. The Skutt FireBox certainly has its charms, as well. It comes with a built-in-stand, the lid opens over 90 degrees—but, it was ultimately the lower firing temperature that knocked it out of the running for us. 

No matter what you decide, having a tiny kiln for your mini masterpieces will majorly upgrade your studio vibes. You’ll control the pottery process from end to end—no more dreaded studio drop off for firing! Whether you go with the L&L Plug-n-Fire or the Skutt FireBox, take a moment to recognize how far you’ve come on your clay journey. Adding a kiln to your studio is no small feat, so take a moment to celebrate! 

We want to know…what’s the best mini pottery kiln in your opinion? Which one are you choosing? Let us know in the comments!