This really depends on the type of artwork that you make. Are you a functional potter firing your work to ∆5 or ∆6? Are you sculptor firing your work to low fire temps of ∆08-∆04. Do you make large format work, tall vases or sculptures or do you primarily make mugs, bowls and average size functional ware? How much amperage do you have available to dedicate to the kiln? Some larger kiln models require high amperage electric lines in order to achieve high temperatures. You may be limited by the amperage available at your house or studio. These are some of the questions to consider when selecting a kiln.

Size the kiln for the largest pieces you intend on making. Ideally you will be firing a completely full kiln for each firing. Think about the size of your pieces and the amount of work you will be making at any given time. If you plan on being productive, size up the kiln. Its better to have more room in the kiln if needed. Conversely, if you are a hobbyist making a few mugs and bowls here and there, you may not want to wait for months on end to produce enough work to fully fill a large kiln.

The most popular style of kiln is the traditional top loading kiln. More often than not this style of kiln will work well for you. Front-loading kilns are a great option as well. These kilns load from the front, this method of loading can save your back from having to bend over to load work like a top loader. Conversely, they can be more difficult to load in some situations as they require quite a bit of strength to load larger items where the weight of the ware must be held straight out in front of the body to load. Front loaders are more expensive to purchase and maintain. It is easier to see the full load of ware in a front loader as you can see the ware stack from the side. Front loaders cannot go up or down steps and are large and difficult to move and install. All front loading kilns require some sort of pallet jack or pallet truck high lift to install. They will make sense for some, but not for others.

This is a very important factor to consider when selecting your kiln. If you plan on only doing low-fire work between ∆08 and ∆04, pretty much any kiln at any voltage and phase will work for you. If you plan on firing the kiln to mid-fire temps of ∆5 or ∆6, then you must select a kiln that is rated for ∆10. If you plan on doing specialty firings like crystalline glaze ware, you will want a kiln that is rated for ∆12. Think of this like you are driving a car. Lets say your car’s speedometer goes up to 100mph. If you plan on driving that car every day at 100mph, you will be putting too much stress on the engine. If your car’s speedometer goes up to 200mph, then driving your car at 100mph will not put as much stress on on the engine and you will be less likely to damage your car. Most of L&L’s kilns are rated for cone 10, with only a few exceptions. When selecting a kiln, pay close attention to to the max temp rating of the kiln before making your choice.