What Size Kiln Do I Need For My Studio?
Choosing the right kiln size for your studio is key to firing success, and Clay-King is here to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re firing for fun or business, this guide walks you through key considerations like your future project plans, shelf space (not just kiln dimensions!), round vs. square shelves, kiln height, and the impact of energy costs. It also breaks down electric vs. gas kiln requirements based on your studio’s power or gas service. Get expert advice now and set yourself up for success down the line!
Whether you’re an experienced slinger or are just starting to get your hands dirty, shopping for a new kiln is exciting. If it’s your first kiln, or even if you’re upgrading an old kiln you’ve been using for decades, you probably have multiple questions about which kiln will be the right fit for you.
The top question on that list is a pretty basic one: What size kiln do I need?
Your fellow potters and firing specialists at Clay-King have some tips for selecting the right size kiln, which will prepare you for years of making beautiful ceramics in your home or business.
What Kind of Projects Are You Considering Next Year?
Don’t buy the kiln you need now – buy the kiln you’ll need next year or the year after that. While you may be perfectly happy slinging small, shallow pieces now, you probably will want to tackle at least a few bigger projects at some point in the future.
If you’re interested in turning or have already turned your hobby into an income source, you need to consider that as well. Even if your signature product is a shot-glass-sized bud vase, if you begin producing hundreds at a time, you’ll need lots of kiln space to fire them efficiently.
Like so many other things in life, it’s always a good idea to give yourself room to grow.
One quick warning, though—after reading the above, you may be tempted to buy the biggest kiln you can afford right now. That may not be a good call. As the size of your kiln goes up, the more gas or electricity you’ll have to burn to keep it at a steady temperature throughout an entire firing.
So, the first thing you need to do is make an honest assessment: what size kiln will I need to accommodate the work I’m doing now and the work I anticipate doing in the future without creating excess energy expenses?
Shelf Size Is King
The inner dimensions of your kiln actually aren’t that useful in determining what size kiln you should get. After all, you absolutely cannot just set your pieces on the kiln floor. So, when you think about it that way, what measurement IS important? The size of the shelves.
As you’re kiln shopping, don’t be drawn in by the size of the kiln body – pay attention to the shelves that will fit in the kiln. They’re what make up the actual usable space inside the kiln, so you want to make sure that you’re basing your decision on that dimension.
Square vs. Round Shelves
Quick geometry quiz: what’s the difference in surface area between a circle with a diameter of 12″ and a square measuring 12″ on a side?
Square: Area equals length times width, so – 12 x 12 = 144 square inches
Circle: Area equals the square of pi times the radius, so – (3.14159 x 6)2 = 113.097 square inches.
Just those little bits in the corner make up almost 31 square inches lost in a 12″ circle over a square with the same footprint. As the footprint increases, so too does the space lost between square and round shapes.
That being said, some clay slingers feel that a round kiln offers more consistent heating and has fewer hot/cold spots than a square or rectangular kiln, so it’s worth talking to a Clay-King kiln expert or a member of the pottery community that you know and trust when it’s time to choose your kiln.
Don’t Forget the Y Dimension
Don’t forget to look at the height of your kiln, as well. If you do or are planning to do tall pieces, make sure that your tallest piece will fit, accounting for both the bottom shelf and airflow space at the top of the kiln.
Extra Size = Extra Heat Required
As we said above, all other things being equal – the larger your kiln, the longer each preheating will take and the more expensive (in energy costs) each firing will be. While choosing a kiln with larger or more powerful heating elements (or a higher-output gas burner) will make preheats faster, you can’t escape physics – you’ll burn more gas or electricity for a larger kiln, always.
Electric Kilns: What Power Supply Do You Have Available?
Believe it or not, the nature of your studio’s electrical supply will impact the size of kiln you can use. Generally speaking, all electric kilns require one of the following types of electrical supply:
- The smallest kilns will usually be available for a 120-volt, single-phase supply. This is the common, everyday power that you use for your TV, lamps, and other things you plug into the standard outlets in your home*.
- Larger kilns will require a 240-volt, single-phase supply. If you have an electric stove, dryer, or hot water heater, it probably runs on 240. 240-volt kilns will require the installation of a special breaker, special outlet, and dedicated wiring run.
- The largest kilns sold will require three-phase power. Three-phase power is most commonly seen in heavy commercial and industrial sites and can be provided in a few different voltages. In addition to special breaker boxes, outlets, and wiring, a three-phase kiln may require you to work with your electric utility to bring special three-phase feeder lines to your location. Three-phase power is usually not available in residential areas.
* If you’re planning to use an existing 120-volt circuit, everything else connected to that circuit should be unplugged or disconnected. You must also verify the kiln’s amperage (divide its wattage by its voltage)—if the kiln draws more than 15 amps, a standard outlet is not adequate, and you will need to consult an electrician to install a 20-amp breaker, heavier wiring, and a special 20-amp outlet.
Gas Kilns: What Kind of Gas Service Do You Have?
There are two main types of gas service in the US: plumbed natural gas and stored-on-site propane gas. Natural gas is brought in via subterranean plumbing and purchased from a gas utility company. Propane is stored on the customer’s property in a large tank and piped inside or stored in a portable gas cylinder and hooked up and unhooked as needed.
If you are considering a gas kiln, make sure to choose one that is compatible with the kind of gas you have available. Many kilns will be convertible between the two, only requiring the replacement of a single valve to switch from natural gas to propane.
Choosing a Kiln for Your Studio Can Feel Overwhelming. That’s Why Clay-King Is Here to Help You Land on the Right Option for Your Needs. Call Us Today at 888-838-3625 or Email info@clay-king.com for Guidance and Assistance.
When you want to up your pottery-making game with a new kiln for your studio at home or in a commercial or industrial space, let Clay-King be your guide! We carry kilns of all sizes and shapes from brands like Skutt, L&L, Olympic, Evenheat, Cress, and Amaco. We’ll be glad to talk you through your options and help you zero in on the kiln that will take pottery production to the next level.
Call us today to get started on your kiln-shopping journey: 888-838-3625
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