what kiln to buy?
 

I'm just starting out with making pottery and would like to get a kiln
for my home studio. I have no idea how to evaluate the various types and
brands before making a purchase. Can anyone offer guidelines or suggestions?

Thanks.
Karen

what kiln to buy?
 

On Aug 5, 4:26 pm, test wrote:
I'm just starting out with making pottery and would like to get a kiln
for my home studio. I have no idea how to evaluate the various types and
brands before making a purchase. Can anyone offer guidelines or suggestions?

Thanks.
Karen

I have an L&L E28S. It has about the same cubic inches as a E23T but
is much easier to load than the taller and more narrow kilns and I can
get in very wide platters. This kiln is very easy to program and the
elements are protected more than other kilns. I really like my kiln.
It's rating is to cone 10 but you should fire below that. I fire cone
6 - cone 8 would be fine. Do a search because prices vary
considerably. This is not a minor expense so know what you are
looking for and what wiring you will need. Call the companies and
talk to them. They are all very friendly and have useful
information. Carefully follow the instructions - yes you really do
need to fire it the first time empty (for example). Good luck!

Donna

what kiln to buy?
 

dkat wrote:
On Aug 5, 4:26 pm, test wrote:
I'm just starting out with making pottery and would like to get a kiln
for my home studio. I have no idea how to evaluate the various types and
brands before making a purchase. Can anyone offer guidelines or suggestions?

Thanks.
Karen

I have an L&L E28S. It has about the same cubic inches as a E23T but
is much easier to load than the taller and more narrow kilns and I can
get in very wide platters. This kiln is very easy to program and the
elements are protected more than other kilns. I really like my kiln.
It's rating is to cone 10 but you should fire below that. I fire cone
6 - cone 8 would be fine. Do a search because prices vary
considerably. This is not a minor expense so know what you are
looking for and what wiring you will need. Call the companies and
talk to them. They are all very friendly and have useful
information. Carefully follow the instructions - yes you really do
need to fire it the first time empty (for example). Good luck!

Donna


Thank you for the reply. I'm registered for some classes this fall and
hope to learn a bit more before making the final decision but you've
given me something to start checking on.

Karen

what kiln to buy?
 

On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:57:03 -0700, test wrote:

Thank you for the reply. I'm registered for some classes this fall and
hope to learn a bit more before making the final decision but you've
given me something to start checking on.

Karen

Also, consider a used kiln. Oftentimes, home kilns see very little
use before their owners move on to other hobbies. And while a
computer controlled kiln is convenient, a good old kiln-setter works
fine for most application. You can likely find a good used "hobby"
kiln with a kiln-setter for $350 - $400. And, if down the road, you
decide you want something bigger / fancier, you could probably sell
such a kiln for about what you paid for it.

As dkat mentioned, do check out the power requirements before buying a
kiln. You will likely have to have a special circuit installed, which
will cost a few $$'s. Insist on copper wiring! Kiln manufacturers
specify it. Aluminum tend to heat up and the connectors tend to burn
up.

deg

what kiln to buy?
 

Dewitt wrote:
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:57:03 -0700, test wrote:

Thank you for the reply. I'm registered for some classes this fall and
hope to learn a bit more before making the final decision but you've
given me something to start checking on.

Karen

Also, consider a used kiln. Oftentimes, home kilns see very little
use before their owners move on to other hobbies. And while a
computer controlled kiln is convenient, a good old kiln-setter works
fine for most application. You can likely find a good used "hobby"
kiln with a kiln-setter for $350 - $400. And, if down the road, you
decide you want something bigger / fancier, you could probably sell
such a kiln for about what you paid for it.

As dkat mentioned, do check out the power requirements before buying a
kiln. You will likely have to have a special circuit installed, which
will cost a few $$'s. Insist on copper wiring! Kiln manufacturers
specify it. Aluminum tend to heat up and the connectors tend to burn
up.

deg


This sounds like a good plan. What's the power requirement... 220? That
could be a limiting factor. Better talk to my husband. Thanks!

Karen

what kiln to buy?
 

On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:49:41 -0700, test wrote:


This sounds like a good plan. What's the power requirement... 220? That
could be a limiting factor. Better talk to my husband. Thanks!

Karen

Yes, most hobby type kilns in the US are 220 volts, though you should
be aware that some school / industrial kilns are 208 volts and you'll
want to avoid those. Your house wiring can almost certainly provide
220 volts. Likely more of an issue though is the number of amps that
the kiln will pull. You'll want to check to make sure your house
electrical panel can handle the amount of current (amps) that the kiln
requires. A typical smallish hobby kiln will require something like a
40 amp circuit and this will be specified by the manufacturer. If
your electrician isn't familiar with wiring for kilns, "remind" him
that the kiln will pull it's maximum amperage for an extended period
of time - as in 6 - 8 hours. Make sure to use the gauge copper wire
recommended by the manufacturer. Don't undersize it.

deg

what kiln to buy?
 

Dewitt wrote:
On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:49:41 -0700, test wrote:

This sounds like a good plan. What's the power requirement... 220? That
could be a limiting factor. Better talk to my husband. Thanks!

Karen

Yes, most hobby type kilns in the US are 220 volts, though you should
be aware that some school / industrial kilns are 208 volts and you'll
want to avoid those. Your house wiring can almost certainly provide
220 volts. Likely more of an issue though is the number of amps that
the kiln will pull. You'll want to check to make sure your house
electrical panel can handle the amount of current (amps) that the kiln
requires. A typical smallish hobby kiln will require something like a
40 amp circuit and this will be specified by the manufacturer. If
your electrician isn't familiar with wiring for kilns, "remind" him
that the kiln will pull it's maximum amperage for an extended period
of time - as in 6 - 8 hours. Make sure to use the gauge copper wire
recommended by the manufacturer. Don't undersize it.

deg


Many thanks!

Hi, This post of mine is very beneficial and informative, however there are some specific facts or information that I require. If anyone can help me in this matter then please send me a private message. Best Regards,