Explore the Top Pottery Kilns for Your Home Studio

So, you want to “fire it up” in the comfort of your home studio. But what type of kiln do you pick? And do you really need to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to make your firing dreams come true? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top pottery kilns, and help you decide whether buying a kiln is the right move for you. We share our favorite mini “budget” options, a studio-favorite full-size kiln, and some alternative options if you’re not ready to press “add to cart” just yet. I’m fired up about this topic, so let’s get into it!

Top Mini Pottery Kilns 

If you’re looking to fire a few pieces here and there at home, a mini kiln is a no-brainer option. for a home studio. These kilns were really made for studios to test fire pieces and new try new glaze combos. But as it turns out, they also work excellently for home studio. For starters, they’re mini! These kilns’ interiors measure 8” x 8” x 9” at their largest. So if you don’t have room in your garage for a giant metal contraption, mini could be the way to go. Another reason we love these kilns for home use? They plug into standard electrical outlets. No electrician needed! And they maximize use-friendliness by coming with pre-programmed firing schedules. So, if you’re making mini pieces or need a few mugs fired at a time, we say “go mini or go home!” 

Our recommendations for mini kilns:

L&L Plug-n-Fire Craft & Test Kiln: The L&L Plug-n-Fire wins the prize for best mini kiln on the market. Why? It’s one of the only mini kilns that fires up to cone 10! It includes a kiln shelf, features a touch screen control, and is pretty sizable as far as mini kilns go. 

Skutt FireBox 8×6 LT Kiln: Our second favorite mini kiln option is the Skutt FireBox. While it only fires up to cone 6 and has a slightly smaller interior, it is still a decent option for firing at home. With its straightforward firing process, simple control panel, and built-in stand, you’ll love having this kiln in your home studio.

Interested in the mini kiln route? Check out our mini top pottery kilns roundup.

Top Full-Size Pottery Kilns 

If you’re cranking out the clay creations or are making the leap to selling your pieces, you’ll need a full-size kiln. Now, full-size kilns can easily set you back 5 figures, so it’s nothing to take likely. Buying a full-size kiln means you’re completely devoted (and orderly obsessed) to the art of ceramics. You’ve likely been making for years, and you want to pay for the convenience of firing at home and controlling the entire pottery process. If you read all that and said, “that’s me!” you’re in the right place. 

As a disclaimer, I don’t own a full-size kiln. I’m more in the “perfect for a mini kiln” category myself.  But, I’ve taken classes at 4+ studios, and all of them have used the Skutt KMT Series Kilnmaster Touchscreen Kilns. So, if it’s good enough for a bustling studio, it’s likely perfect for an at-home pottery studio. To form my recommendations, I asked our studio owner a number of questions about the process and their preferences. And, of course, I’m including my observations of how my own pieces turned out! 

Our recommendation for full-size kilns:

Skutt KMT Series Kilnmaster Touchscreen Kilns

I asked our studio owner the pros and cons of this bad boy, and she essentially said that it lives up to its “kiln master” name. 

Her favorite part of this kiln is the touchscreen, and how easy it is to navigate. To get started with the kiln, the touchscreen guides you through a series of questions about your preference on things like firing type, cone value, and fire speed. Then, when you’re ready, all you have to do is hit “start.” It even has built-in wifi to download new software features, and can connect to an app. 

In terms of the durability, this kiln has been with the studio since it opened in 2020. While it’s not been in use for a decade, our studio owner did have a few tips to ensure that it does last that long. For starters, she recommends using cookies when it comes to glaze firing, and to leave a healthy amount of room between your glaze line and the foot. Also, to extend the longevity of your kiln, don’t fire it to the max temperature all the time. Our kiln is technically a cone 10, but the studio only offers firing up to cone 6. 

Another perk of Skutt? They have excellent customer service. So, if you experience a kiln catastrophe, rest assured, you get on the phone with someone and troubleshoot. 

As for my impressions, I’ve always been quite happy with the results I’ve gotten back. And when I haven’t, it’s normally because I’m using a cheap-o glaze (like Speedball). 

So, if you’re looking for a user-friendly kiln that stands the test of time, the Skutt KMT Series Kilnmaster Touchscreen Kilns is studio-recommended, and potter-approved. 

Other Firing Options

If you’d like to buy a kiln, but are experiencing sticker shock, we get it! There are a number of other ways you can fire your home creations. Here are our top recommendations. 

Studio: Most studios offer “community firings” where you can drop off your pieces for bisque and clay firings. We recommend calling your local studio and inquiry about firing fees and kiln rentals! 

Kiln Share: While I’m still hemming and hawing over buying a mini kiln, Kiln Share has been a saving grace. What is it? So glad you asked. Basically, almost 1,000 kiln owners all over their world “rent out” their kiln space to local potters. All you have to do is find a potter near you on the map, and then email them to inquire about the service. I personally used this to fire 80+ pieces for a market, and I was thrilled with the quick turnaround time and the results! 

Microwave Kiln Firing: If you still really want to fire mini pieces at home, you can try your hand at microwave firing. We have this handy guide on everything you’ll need to turn your microwave into a mini kiln. 

Wrapping Up: Top Pottery Kilns 

Investing in a kiln is a big decision. Is it worth it to drop thousands of dollars to fire at home? Or should you stick to the studio? If you’re a potter that lives and breathes clay, buying a kiln could be an excellent way to round out your home studio. And there are plenty of options depending on your space and budget—you could go with top pottery kilns like the mini L&L Plug-N-Fire, or you could go big with the Skutt KMT Touchscreen series. Either way, you’re investing in your pottery future. Each piece that your fire will come entirely from you—you’ll see it from a lump of clay to a fully formed and fired piece! So, whatever you decide to choose, know that you’re in good hands with the kilns in this guide. 

What are the top pottery kilns in your opinion? Would you buy a kiln for home use? Let us know in the comments!