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6 Considerations for Choosing the Best Ceramic Kiln: A Complete Guide
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So, throwing pots has you all “fired up”, and now you want to buy a kiln to keep the pottery party going at home. But as you scroll through your endless options on Kiln Frog and Blick, your eyes start to go blurry with information overload. From specs to firing temperatures to hidden costs, choosing the best ceramic kiln for you proves no easy feat. To help lighten the “load”, we compiled our top 6 kiln considerations. From acknowledging your throwing capacity to calculating your firing costs, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before hitting the “buy” button on your dream kiln. Let’s get into it!
FYI—this article covers considerations for electric kilns only. Gas kilns are an entirely other beast that we don’t cover here. 🙂
Size
When it comes to pottery, size really matters. After all, if you’re throwing big or making dozens of pieces in a week, you need a kiln you can trust. Consider this a “temperature check”: are you a hobby potter making pieces here and there? Or are you planning on becoming the next master market maker? Understanding your clay capacity informs what size kiln you need to fit your needs. If you’re more in the “hobbyist” category and want to fire 4-5 pieces at a time, a mini kiln like the L&L Plug-N-Fire is calling your name. If you’re a pottery legend cranking out work after work, investigate “production kilns” like the Skutt KM 1627. TLDR, have a real heart to heart with your inner potter. Make sure you buy the kiln that represents your current and near future needs, not your delusions of pottery grandeur.
Space
Kilns put off some major heat. So, you’ll need to ask yourself: Do I have a designated space where I can fire my clay creations? Let’s say you’re a potter in a 2-bedroom apartment. I’m not a gambling woman, but I’d bet your landlord wouldn’t be thrilled to learn you have a piece of heavy equipment that fires up to 2200 degrees in your spare bedroom. Ideally, you’d store your kiln in a garage, basement or a “pottery” shed—somewhere with a bit of space. And of course, you don’t want to store this baby away in a super crowded room—that’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Budget
Kiln shopping is not unlike wedding dress shopping…you’ll likely spend thousands of dollars, and unless you have a fabulously wealth mother to say, “whatever you want, sweetie!” it’s a big investment.
We’d advise you think long and hard on if you really need a kiln. If you’re content with dropping pieces off at your local studio or utilizing kiln share, your home studio can function just fine without a kiln. But, if you want more control over your firings, and know you’ll drink the pottery Kool-Aid for life, it could be a good investment.
Only you know the price range that’s best for you. Our two cents? Do your research and save up. Even a used kiln will set you back hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Kiln Temperature
It’s getting hot in here…but how hot are we talking? Ceramic kiln temperature is all a matter of preference. Are you someone who likes the high saturation of cone 6? Or do you prefer the intense, complex colors of a cone 10 firing?
Here’s a handy dandy little chart with the most used cones. Thanks to our friends at wheelandclay.com for their handy cone kiln temperatures chart.
| Cone | Max Temperature |
| 5 | 2205 F |
| 6 | 2269 F |
| 7 | 2295 F |
| 8 | 2320 F |
| 9 | 2336 F |
| 10 | 2381F |
Once you figure out your ideal firing temperature, that’ll narrow down your kiln search. Do note that firing at the max temperature constantly will take a toll on your kiln. So pick a kiln that has the capacity to fire a bit above your range to ensure longevity.
Firing Costs
We hate to be the ones to break this to you, but the costs don’t stop after purchasing your kiln. Each firing can rack up some serious electric costs. Thankfully, we’ve made this handy dandy calculator to help you determine what each firing will cost.
To fill this out, you’ll need to know a few things…
Kiln power: Most kilns are rated in kilowatts, so google the model of your kiln to figure this out.
Firing time: how long will your kiln be on for one firing? Your kiln likely offers presets to determine the timing.
Electricity costs: pull from your local utility averages or bill. For example, $0.13/kWh is a common US average.
Electric Kiln Firing Cost Calculator
Wrapping Up: Choosing the Best Ceramic Kiln for You
Not to sound like your overbearing pottery parent, but choosing a ceramic kiln is a huge deal! From the monetary investment to understanding the ins and outs of firing, there is a lot to consider before making this huge purchase. Considering elements like your size needs, space availability, budget, kiln temperature, and firing costs will help you make the most informed and empowered decision. So, whether you’re purchasing a brand new production kiln, going the used route, or choosing a mini kiln, happy firing!
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