What size kiln do I need?
Specs and sources awaiting check
Kiln size picker: what size kiln do I need?
Worked example
For 40 mugs a month, about 10 cm across and 12 cm tall, fired 2 times a month with 2 cm between pieces:
- 20 pieces a firing.
- They take up about 40 litres of chamber space, before kiln furniture.
- On a 40 cm shelf, 9 fit side by side, so 3 shelves of 14 cm each.
- Compare that with the internal size and chamber litres on each maker's spec page.
Source: Office for Product Safety and Standards, awaiting check
Editor: host page for C4. Size from what you make, not from the biggest you can afford: a bigger kiln may need a bigger supply (link C3) and costs more to fire half-empty (link C2).
The short answer
Editor: pieces a month ÷ firings a month = pieces a firing; each takes its width plus a gap and its height plus a gap. Compare with chamber litres and internal height on the maker's spec page.
Worked example
Editor: copy C4's mugs example.
Top-loading or front-loading
Editor: criteria only (loading height, floor space, door clearance from the manual). Full comparison is its own article later.
FAQs
Is a test kiln big enough to start with?
Editor: depends on piece size: run C4 with your largest piece.
Related guides
- Pottery kiln for homeBuying a pottery kiln for home in the UK: will it run off your socket, what size you need, where it can go and what each firing costs. With free tools.
- Can a kiln plug into a normal socket?Whether a pottery kiln can run from a standard UK 13A plug or needs its own circuit, how to check from its power rating, and when to call an electrician.
Sources
- OPSS: product safety for consumers (follow the maker's instructions) (Office for Product Safety and Standards), awaiting check