About Kilns

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 8 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #909 in Arts , #17,090 overall

Welcome

Welcome to the Kiln Goddess' Clay Pit of Kilns. Here you'll find info, links and some writing on my personal experience with kilns. Now I am far from all knowledgeable about kilns. Some kinds of kilns I have used while others are only known to me from reading. I hope you find this lens helpful...lets get cooking ;) This is just a start much more info to come.

Kilns, Kilns, and More Kilns 

Various Photos of Kilns
Photos of kilns found at Robert Compton's Pottery and elsewhere.
Kilns of the Carolinas
Photos of a few different kilns

Kiln Safety 

You need to be careful around kilns, both gas and electric. The outside of electric kilns get hot, hot enough to burn you. Gas, wood, oil kilns pose their own special elements of threats depending on the type and build of the kiln. Speacial gloves and eyewear are a must. Long hair should be tied back. I have waist length hair and have in the past fried the ends of my ponytail when it unexpectantly fell forward as I bent over a electric kiln to grab something off its lid. An open peephole expels a lot of heat don't get your face, eye, hair or other body part too close when peering into a kiln, I've heard many a story about lost eyebrows.
Eye Protection for Potters
An article discussing the need for eye protection in the kiln room.
Studio Safety: Dressing for Safety
An article discussion the various different modes of dress that will provide safety in the studio while doing various tasks.

Kiln Safety on Amazon 

Some special wear is needed for working in and around kilns. Gloves are needed to protect you from heat. I like kevlar gloves because they remain flexible yet protect your hands while handling hot kiln lids, peep hole plugs, and hot shelves while unloading. Goggles are needed to gaze into hot glowy kilns to check shelf witness cones so you don't damage your eyes.

US Forge 108 Shaded #5 Economy Cup Brazing Goggles

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $8.33 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $9.69

Usually ships in 24 hours

Professional Comfort-Fit ANSI-Certified Welding & Torch Safety Goggles - Flip-Up Style

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $22.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

The Kiln Goddess' Clay Pit on Electric Kilns 

Here you will find a treasure trove of info about electric kilns. You'll find out how to fire an electric kiln, kiln safety, when to open your electric kiln and more.

Great Electric Kiln Books on Amazon 

Electric Kiln Ceramics: A Guide to Clays and Glazes

Great book. Lots of good info. Terrific resource. A must have for anyone using an electric kiln.

Amazon Price: $29.69 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $44.99

Usually ships in 24 hours

Exploring Electric Kiln Techniques

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $28.95

Electric Kiln Handbook (Crafts (Hardcover Ritchie Unlimited))

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $24.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Gas Kilns 

Kilns: Theory and Practice : Downdraft Kilns
Informative article by Frank Colson.
Building My Dream Kiln
Michelle Lowe of Desert Dragon Pottery describes building her 'Dream Kiln' A downdraft gas fired car kiln.
General Gas Kiln Info
Much info, from what gas to use to safety requirements of gas kilns.
Kiln Firing Process
A brief description on firing a 5 burner gas downdraft car kiln with pictures.

Great Gas Kiln Books on Amazon 

Gas Burners for Forges, Furnaces, and Kilns

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $19.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Gas Kiln Firing (Crafts (Hardcover Ritchie Unlimited))

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $24.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Gas Kiln Firing, Volume 2, Practices For The Ceramics Professional, Pottor or Sculptor (Crafts (Hardcover Ritchie Unlimited))

Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $29.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Kiln Goddess Created Kiln Gear on CafePress 

The Kiln Goddess also dabbles in the graphic arts. Here are some kiln themed designs she has come up with.

My Kiln is Bigger... Tote Bag

A little kiln room humor, after all we all know it isn't the size of your kiln but how hot is your fire.

Price: 15.99Buy Now

My Kiln is Bigger... Rectangle Magnet

A little kiln room humor, after all we all know it isn't the size of your kiln but how hot is your fire.

Price: 5.25Buy Now

My Kiln is Bigger... Organic Cotton Tee

A little kiln room humor, after all we all know it isn't the size of your kiln but how hot is your fire.

Price: 22.99Buy Now

Powered by CafePress

Raku Kilns 

Raku-temporary kilns
The kiln from the raku ceramics classes at Bradford College.
Build A Fiber Blanket Raku Kiln
A raku kiln built using fiber blanket and a trash can.

Pit Firing 

Pit Firing
Brief directions for pit firing.
Pit Fire Ceramics - Advanced Techniques
A multi-page article on pit firing. Lots of info covered.

Great Alternative Kiln Books on Amazon 

Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $29.95

Alternative Kilns (Ceramics Handbooks)

Amazon Price: $27.50 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $27.50

Usually ships in 24 hours

Wood Fired Kilns 

Kiln Building
Constructing a wood fired kiln.

Anagama Kilns 

Construction of Anagama
An amazing docmentary on construction, loading, firing and uloading. Great Info.

Great Kiln Consrtuction Books on Amazon 

The Kiln Book: Materials, Specifications & Construction

One of the must have books of kiln constructions. Terrific resource packed with great info.

Amazon Price: $29.67 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $44.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Building Your Own Kiln: Three Japanese Potters Give Advice and Instructions

Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $25.00

Usually ships in 24 hours

Kiln Manufacturers 

Paragon Industries
Paragon has manufactured high quality kilns since 1948. The Kiln Goddess' own kiln is a Paragon. It is a third-hand kiln(as opposed to a second hand kiln ;) that is older than herself. The previous owner accidently over fired it making a big mess which is how the Kiln Goddess got her free kiln.
L&L Kiln Mfg
Dedicated to making electric ceramic kilns.
Skutt Ceramic Products
Electric kiln manufacturer
Geil Kilns
Manufacturer of downdraft gas kilns, electric kilns, burners and controls.
Bailey Pottery Equipment
Manufacturer of gas kilns and electric kilns and other pottery equipment.

How to Kiln Fire When You Have No Kiln 

So you have just taken a clay course and loved it, you want to continue working on your own with clay but you have no kiln.

What do you do? Ask around, perhaps a local ceramic shop can fire your work for you, maybe there is another clay worker in your area willing to share a kiln. Some shops and kiln owners are willing to rent you space in their kiln. Some will rent per load, per shelf, per square inch, or per clay pound. Make sure you know kind of kiln and cone they a willing to fire to and that it will match your clay and glazes.
Find Kiln Timesharing
Unique service to buy and sell kiln space in your area listed by country or state.

Suggestions and Feedback 

I welcome your feedback. Would you like something added? Know a good link or book? Did I manage to misspell something? Did you find a dead link? Let me know, afterall this Kiln Goddess isn't all knowing ;-)

grannysage wrote

I have a kiln too, although mine is a copper enameling kiln I inherited from my mother. I once started a fire in my kitchen when I used the wrong kind of enamel adhesive. My mother would be so upset with me. I did some pottery when I was a child but didn't keep that up. Really good information here. And I really like your name!

Reply Posted April 12, 2009

KilnGoddess wrote

in reply to Susan Vulcan kilns are out of Ohio, here is the web site http://www.vulcankilns.com/ It looks like that kiln has a max temp of 2300F. I actually have a old Vulcan kiln in the workshop, I can't really compare it as it look totally different than the kilns current being made.

Reply Posted January 02, 2009

Lensmaster

Susan wrote

Any thoughts or information on a Vulcan kiln (174F)??
Loved your site!!!

Reply Posted December 29, 2008

KilnGoddess wrote

I'm not familiar with that brand of kiln but a google search shows this company selling Harrison bell glazes maybe they would have a contact address for harrison bell

http://www.heskethps.co.uk/glazes/index.html

Reply Posted September 08, 2008

Lensmaster

john phillips wrote

Where can I find information on a Harrison Bell electric kiln?

Reply Posted September 07, 2008

 
1 of 2 pages

Great Stuff on CafePress 

Price: 0.00 Buy Now

Price: 0.00 Buy Now

Powered by CafePress

Kiln History Infomation on Amazon 

The Prehistory & History of Ceramic Kilns (Ceramics and Civilization, Vol. 7) (Ceramics and Civilization , Vol 7)

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $115.00 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $115.00

Usually ships in 24 hours

Journal of Roman Pottery Studies Volume 9: Roman Pottery Kilns at Rossington Bridge 1956-1961 (Journal of Roman Pottery Studies (Oxbow))

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $36.00 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $36.00

Usually ships in 1 to 3 weeks

The Traditional Potter in Nineteenth Century Illinois: Archaeological Investigations at Two Kiln Sites in Upper Alton (Reports of Investigations (Illinois State Museum))

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $8.00

Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.

by KilnGoddess

The Kiln Goddess is an artist/potter. She loves working in clay as well as metals, mosaics, and nearly all mediums she tries. She especially loves whe... (more)

KilnGoddess Recommends...

Favorited By

Create a Lens!