Norm35 Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I am planning to purchase an electric kiln, but have never used a kiln myself. Which is better for a home kiln, low fire or medium (cone 5)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Check you circuit box and see how much amperage is available. A kil with higher temperature range should last longer and give you more flexibility to figure out what you want to do. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm35 Posted December 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I have enough power for a high temp kiln, but I am not sure which is the best clay to work with, the low- or mid-fire. In the past, I have only worked with high- or low-fire. I don't know that much about mid-fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 You might be better going with a high-fire kiln, cone 10. Even if you only work at low-fire or mid-fire ranges, you would always have the option of going higher. If you buy only a lower firing kiln, you limit your options for the future. I have a L&L kiln that can fire to cone 10, but only fire to cone 6. Also, I'd suggest getting one with digital controls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtRoads Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Will you be running the kiln off the same electrical panel as your house? Also consider how far you have to run the wiring. I found it to be more cost economical to install a separate meter box and panel. How many amps do you have? Lots of discussions here about kilns. RESEARCH. Read every thing on the forum about kilns. This is the most important decision you will make. Especially if you plan on firing above Cone 04. It's pay a little bit more for a good kiln now or continuously pay (in time and dollars) later. I have an L&L now for my glaze kiln. Spent a year changing out elements & griefing over a lesser kiln. No regrets at all with the L&L. I do use another kiln for bisque (cone 04) with no problems. Even though a kiln says it will fire to Cone 10 doesn't mean you can do it on a continual basis w/o a lot of replacements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Working at cone 6 is generally considered preferable for functional ware over low fire, since you can get clay bodies that vitrify. From a kiln safety standpoint there is no difference. Contact me if you need any info on L&L, or any questions in general about setting up a kiln in your home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 low fire is not stong enough to be very functional very long Get a high fire model and you then can do it all. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm35 Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Thank you for all of this advice. I am looking at a Skutt KM818. I have a 40 amp 240 volt outlet ready to go and it sounds like working with at least cone 5 or 6 would be worthwhile over low-fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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