Finding your perfect match can seem daunting, let us help play matchmaker by highlighting the traits that will help you fall head-over-heels for a kiln – then stay happy together for years to come.
Here’s the short list of questions to ask when you’re looking for that special kiln.
- What size of projects do you want to make? (Leave room to grow together!)
- How much space do you have for a kiln?
- What are the electric requirements (plug type, wire gauge)?
- What features are important to you?
- What is your budget?
Let’s face it – sometimes size really does matter. We’re talking kilns here people! It’s important to know where your kiln will fit in your life, creative pursuits, and space.
The heartbreak of outgrowing your kiln is something we see all too often. While it’s hard to know exactly what you’ll be into a year or more down the road, it’s best to consider all your options now. Do you see something that excites you? Choose a kiln with enough room to fit the biggest mold you’re interested in, plus a few inches to spare.
The next consideration is space – how will your kiln fit into your home or studio? Your kiln should be set up at least 12” – 18” away from the nearest heat-sensitive surface, including overhanging cabinets, shelves or window dressings. You’ll also want to set your kiln up on an appropriate stand over a heat-resistant, hard surface such as ceramic tile. This will make leveling your kiln easier while making sure your new wall-to-wall carpet or heirloom table won’t get damaged. Measure now to make sure that kiln you’re considering will have enough space to be safely operated once you take it home.
While it’s good to feel the spark of creativity, it’s best to never actually see sparks. For this reason, the electrical requirements for a kiln are important. If you’re not sure you’re ready to settle down and make a commitment to a specific kiln, it may be best to avoid kilns that require a specially run circuit and outlet. There are options available from small tabletop kilns that can be operated on a typical 15amp, 120v household circuit, to models that require a 50amp, 240v circuit run with a heavy gauge wire – with lots of sizes and styles in-between. Find out how much juice the kiln you fancy needs so an electrician doesn’t come between you and your creative desires.
What features are important to you? Some kilns are stripped down to just the basics, others have all the latest bells and whistles. Do you want a manually controlled kiln that you’ll be spending a lot of time hanging out with as you check the temperature and adjust your firings? Would you rather have a digital controller with touch-screen that has memory to recall all the fun firings you’ve programmed and run before? Is a shallow kiln suitable, or do you want one that’s a little deeper?
Lastly, the money talk has to happen sooner or later. If only we had bottomless bank accounts, am I right? The good news is that there are kilns available to fit nearly any budget. While a kiln doesn’t come with its own source of income, a kiln that’s a good match to your needs could open the door to you making some money. Check out our huge selection of kilns online where you’ll find videos, images and kiln manuals to help find that just-right kiln. If you’re not sure which kiln is for you, give us a call at 1-800-248-2048, email us at [email protected] or use our live chat function on our website and allow us to play matchmaker for you.
