What size kiln?

[Amber]

So I'm trying to budget for a kiln maybe now, maybe later,and I'm wondering what the minimum size I would need to fire a 12" square piece? I'm on a very tight budget so smaller is better in that regard but I also don't want to waste any money on something that's too small. So what is the bare minimum I can get away with? I was looking at the Skutt HotStart Pro Kiln with a 15" X 6-1/2" Firing Chamber and fits a 13" Shelf but I don't know if that's too tight? Does it having an octagonal  make it feel even tighter? My max, max budget is 1500.00 but that HAS to cover any tax, shipping, accessories like wash, paper, gloves, etc.

[Kev]

Amber...I bought the Olympic Champ XL for about 850.00 delivered. It's 14 inches square and has a 12 inch shelf..meaning you can fire a square piece about 11.5". For 1500.00 you can get a pretty good sized kiln, but I think the square offer more flexibility in my own opinion.

Do yourself a favor...get one with a quartz peep hole..it's a glorious thing!

Check out Jen Ken 27" square.

[Rebecca]

A 12-inch square has a diagonal of nearly 17-inches, so you need at least an 18-inch round shelf to fire a 12-inch square.

Rebecca

[Amber]

I wish 1500 went a little further up here Kev *lol. When I look at taxes (13%), shipping a 150lbs object in Canada, the states isn't even an option $$, and then the exchange rate because any company I buy it from has to pay exchange, plus all the accessories *yikes*. Basically the kiln can have a CDN retail tag of 1000.00 so it 'really' fits in my budget *LOL. I'm having a hard time finding one that's big enough.... all is not lost though, I know it's out there *hiding maybe but out there ;)*.
Thanks by the way though for the window tip! And thanks Rebecca on making sure I didn't buy one to small!! So an 18" round minimum it is then :) .

[Kev]

I wonder if it's just as close for you to look in the Montreal area as opposed to Halifax?

[Amber]

We've thought of that too actually *smiles*. Halifax is an 8 hour round rip so we can do it same day but Montreal is a 16 hour round trip so we'd end up staying overnight in a hotel...... so add that plus food and gas and I think the shipping fee would be about the same.
Right now I'm weighing a few options, get a pottery kiln for now is one, and two others are going to include a bit of luck *lol. I met a very cool, slightly cantankerous ;), glasser who is slowing down and looking to retire after working with glass for 25 years and he was willing to sell me his molds now I'm thinking of getting in touch with him to see if he'd sell me one of two older kilns he has. The other option is someone I met last week while on a day trip in Saint John who may have a line on a kiln, (not sure what size, model or if it's pottery or glass).
I'm not even sure if I can afford to get a kiln right now anyways *lol, so I may just be getting my hopes up and have to save up for 6 months or so instead.
Wish me luck!!!

[Kev]

Can a pottery kiln be refitted with a controller for glass? Might be an option.

[Rebecca]

Can a pottery kiln be refitted with a controller for glass? Might be an option.

Yes it can, or you can install a pyrometer and use it as is.  All you need is a timer and a notebook.  That's how I do it.

Rebecca

[Kev]

Well that might be the cheaper option

[JoanFrances]

Amber don't forget the electrical considerations too.  The bigger kilns need different wiring than the smaller on does.  Don't know if you're electric is different there than here.  When I had my ceramic kiln the wire for it was huge and it cost me $100.00 for the wire and another $100.00 to have it installed in my electrical box and hooked up to the plug.  And that was years ago.

[Becki]

Can a pottery kiln be refitted with a controller for glass? Might be an option.

Yes it can, or you can install a pyrometer and use it as is.  All you need is a timer and a notebook.  That's how I do it.

Rebecca

It can also be fitted with a digital controller.  No babysitting!

[Amber]

Amber don't forget the electrical considerations too.  The bigger kilns need different wiring than the smaller on does.  Don't know if you're electric is different there than here.  When I had my ceramic kiln the wire for it was huge and it cost me $100.00 for the wire and another $100.00 to have it installed in my electrical box and hooked up to the plug.  And that was years ago.

Another good point! We have an industrial 220 outlet in our garage already so as long as the cord to the kiln is a good 7-8 otherwise the mister sai we'd have to invest in a special, ($) *lol, cord for it. I think the garage is a good place for it anyways for the space and heat concerns.



Question about the digital controller for ya Becki :) , do I need it and a pyrometer? Or is the digital controller all it needs?

[Kev]

The plug for the kiln is not a typical 220 plug. I'm sure it varies from kiln to kiln, so you may have to have the outlet changed. The digital controller would take the place of a pyrometer and would be programmable, whereas a pyrometer is merely a temp gauge in which you have to keep a watch on it and make adjustments to your firing schedule on the fly based on it's readings. Digital controller would be my choice by a long shot, but the pyrometer would be cheaper.

[Becki]

Yup...what Kev said!!  Digital controllers can be an expensive add-on but worth it in my opinion.  If you get a good used kiln at a good price the digi controller may work into your budget.

Another thing to consider if you get a pottery kiln...you will need to adjust your schedules. Pottery kilns only have elements on the sides so the glass heats from the edges in and not the entire surface like a glass kiln that has elements in the lid only or the lid and sides.

[Kev]

In the end when all is said and done, you want to be happy with your kiln and not have regrets that you bought something that does not suit or meet your needs. If you cannot find what you truly want, then wait until you can afford or find what does..with that you will never go wrong.

[Amber]

The 220 plug we have now looks like one for a stove, is that the kind that I need? I think it's a good call on going for the digital, just googled and the price is high but I don't trust myself without it *lol.

If I have an unbelievable splurge of luck then the glass guy will sell me one of his **.
Wish I'd met him sooner to be honest, but that's a whole other glass topic....too late now though since he's slowing down with his glass. He says he only does restoration work now, after 25 years of glass he works part time here in town and winters in Barbados *lucky* :). He was willing to sell me piles of glass molds when I met him a few weeks ago and for being somewhat grouchy and cantankerous he was actually really nice and helpful *L.

So.... cross your fingers for me that everything from finances, to him selling and the kiln being good condition and well priced!

[Kev]

The specific plug will depend on the the electrical make up of the kiln...120V vs 220V. For my kiln, I had to have a Nema 650 R installed, which is not a typical plug I believe.

Check out these links..they might be of interest.

http://www.vicartglass.com/
http://www.glasssmith.ca/product/catproddetails.cfm?id=82

[Rebecca]

With ANY kiln you have to adjust programs.  Each kiln is an individual and you should never slavishly use someone else's program.  You should understand the process and understand your kiln and use that understanding to program your controller.  Right, Steve?

I have a glass kiln and a ceramic kiln and neither of them have a controller.  Both work equally well for glass.  It would be nice to have controllers, but I'm not willing to spend the money.

Rebecca