Mark C.

I'll explain it this way: the choice between various kilns has a lot to do with the appearance you want you work to have. The type of fuel you chose to use will affect the appearance of your work. Electric kilns fire oxidation and mostly create a "neutral" atmosphere. That means glazes colored with stains mostly. Cone 6 is the popular "electric" temperature. Electric kilns are great for porcelain because the clean atmosphere maintains a white clay. 
The second type of fuel that is often used is either natural gas or propane.  (Propane tanks if you don't have a gas line nearby.) Natural gas/propane allows you to reduce the atmosphere and bring out warm colors in stoneware and porcelain clays and glazes. Celadons and tenmoku glazes look best in reduction atmospheres.
Wood is the third fuel and its a lot of work. Like the gas fuels it allows you to reduce the atmosphere and get beautiful warm colors. As electricity is a newer invention most of the world's beautiful "ancient" pots were fired in wood.
If you want a kiln that is easy to set up in a basement or garage, and can be moved easily at a later date, then an electric kiln is a good choice.  If you are in a more rural setting and have room for such things, outdoors in a kiln shed, a gas/wood kiln is a nice choice.

I am a gas  reduction fire cone 10 guy with an electric kiln that is only occasionally used to bisque only in.
I started 50 years ago and made my own gas kilns-I have three right now-a downdraft car kiln -gas-35 cubic feet a small updraft -12 cubic feet-gas a  24 cubic foot gas salt kiln and a skutt 10 cubic foot electric.I started when you could run your own gas lines and build a kiln and the building  inspector would sign off after looking it over.
In most places in the US those days are long gone-now you need a factory made kiln with all the safety  stuff and the spec plate  that says so.
These days you can find a high quality used gas kiln for 4k$ to 7k-say a Geil or a Baily if you look hard.
I recently found one for a friend a Geil for 6 k -18 cubic feet and saw a few largher for about the same $
As us old timers retire kilns are poping up on the market all the time these days
If looking for new look into Cooper kilns in Colorado as they cost less new
https://www.cooperworkskilns.com
 
For a gas kiln you need space  on your property and gas either Natural (best) or propane
Kilns (all need to be protected from the weather (shed ,shack, roof ,etc)
The kilns mentioned all have safety equipment on them and a inspector will sigh you off on the install, You will need a plumber to run the gas line
All these kilns will need to be trucked to you.

I am a gas  reduction fire cone 10 guy with an electric kiln that is only occasionally used to bisque only in.
I started 50 years ago and made my own gas kilns-I have three right now-a downdraft car kiln -gas-35 cubic feet a small updraft -12 cubic feet-gas a  24 cubic foot gas salt kiln and a skutt 10 cubic foot electric.I started when you could run your own gas lines and build a kiln and the building  inspector would sign off after looking it over.
In most places in the US those days are long gone-now you need a factory made kiln with all the safety  stuff and the spec plate  that says so.
These days you can find a high quality used gas kiln for 4k$ to 7k-say a Geil or a Baily if you look hard.
I recently found one for a friend a Geil for 6 k -18 cubic feet and saw a few largher for about the same $
As us old timers retire kilns are poping up on the market all the time these days
If looking for new look into Cooper kilns in Colorado as they cost less new
https://www.cooperworkskilns.com
 
For a gas kiln you need space  on your property and gas either Natural (best) or propane
Kilns (all need to be protected from the weather (shed ,shack, roof ,etc)
The kilns mentioned all have safety equipment on them and a inspector will sigh you off on the install, You will need a plumber to run the gas line
All these kilns will need to be trucked to you.

Hulk Glazing is one of my favorite parts (its never been throwing as most like)
I also love glaze making and testing-seeing the tests(usually a bust)
The firing (with gas) is the next favorite.

I'm sticking to the #6 wire and a 50 amp breaker. If you want a 40 amp breaker fine smaller breaker is the safety in this case
I have had 4 skutt kilns in 5 decades and they underrated the old ones badly. I blew breakers and melted a J box ,overheated wires in the 70'sand 80's Upsided the wires all to #6 -hardwired the kilns and zero issues since.
I said it before- bigger wire is always better.
This was my experience . I also learned the top cone the kiln plate  spec was overrated as well and was really not accurate, say cone 8 for example in an old 181 or 231 or a 1227 with 2.5 inch wall.
The plugs between sections wore out fast (from heat) as did the elements.
Of course Skutt discontinued this old plugs between sections to newer better materials
Skutt always overrated those old kilns on the spec plates
I have learned that spec plates are not always right. 
In todays kilns, get a cone 10 kiln for cone 6 fires not a cone 8 kiln for cone 6 fires.
Once you melt a few wires and boxes and toast a few breakers one usually gets it.
I think the newer Skutts are more acurate in terms of specs. Better 3 inch walls and wiring now.

THHN is better wire (needs to be in conduit( this is more about the wire insulation  type and strands . The better insulation takes more heat and costs more.I use a lot of THHN in life when pulling wires to pump sheds and conduit runs.
NM Romex would be fine for a 30 amp kiln with the 125% rule
50 amps use #6 wire as that covers the 125% rule-you can still use the 40 amp breaker but it may trip and you will then need a 50amp
when it comes to wire size you are far better off to go big. (yes it costs more but kiln use demands it)
 

So my big tip is what Roberta already said-when things get tight (recession -slow down -inflation) make smaller things. I have done this for over 4 decades and it always works.
I usually make more money in the slow times just by switching to smaller forms and lots of them.
as to Jens comment 
(But making a living means you will spend a lot of time NOT doing the part you love.)
Thats just a potters life and its all poart of the lifestyle-I'm not keen on all the bookkeeping but its part of the bigger picture which is the part I like. You cannot always just eat the frosting.
I feel your statement is what separates hobbyist from Professionals . I got over the parts I did not like in the 70s. This will be my last year of selling over 100k in ceramics and I can tell you there are parts I do not like but they get done just as well as the parts I do like.
Jen is spot on about slowly getting into it-the long haul while doing other things is the best way to ease into a potters life. Working side jobs while making is a good idea.
For me I never once had the thought I would be a full time potter as a job its was organic over time-it was more about passion than work and its just became my life without much thought-that was in the late 70s.

So my big tip is what Roberta already said-when things get tight (recession -slow down -inflation) make smaller things. I have done this for over 4 decades and it always works.
I usually make more money in the slow times just by switching to smaller forms and lots of them.
as to Jens comment 
(But making a living means you will spend a lot of time NOT doing the part you love.)
Thats just a potters life and its all poart of the lifestyle-I'm not keen on all the bookkeeping but its part of the bigger picture which is the part I like. You cannot always just eat the frosting.
I feel your statement is what separates hobbyist from Professionals . I got over the parts I did not like in the 70s. This will be my last year of selling over 100k in ceramics and I can tell you there are parts I do not like but they get done just as well as the parts I do like.
Jen is spot on about slowly getting into it-the long haul while doing other things is the best way to ease into a potters life. Working side jobs while making is a good idea.
For me I never once had the thought I would be a full time potter as a job its was organic over time-it was more about passion than work and its just became my life without much thought-that was in the late 70s.

I wore out one wrist and a thumb bone in left hand. Missing three bones now in right wrist (PRC) and left thumb bone taken last year in left hand. The Wrist is also from some injury long ago (unknown) and throwing for so long did not help.
This is 50 years of heavy production  throwing so others need not worry.'Yes arthritis in all fingers and hands-but alas its also an age deal.
The plus sides-its kept my back and body in good shape. Its made me strong (age slows this down a bit)  . I had a one time incredible hand grip.
I move clay 12 times from pick up to sale. Pallet moving into truck then hand offload to clay shed) You do 8-12 tons a year for many many decades you either get strong or quit.I got strong
The biggest positive I can say is lifestyle. its given me freedom and focus and more learning than one could ever ask for. I had a lifetime of fixed dates I had to work the rest of the time was mine to work or play when I wanted.
Its also had some great side effects as I needed to master plumbing (to build kilns-I have done 12 at least)
I needed electrical skills so I worked with my best friend an electrical contractor back when I had an off season-learned those skills. I need more space so I worked witha carpenter friend and we built some more pot shop space and a few outbuildings.
Early in my carrier I did not have two dimes to rub together . Later after figuring out my markets (shows and outlets) It gave me financial freedom. 
Yes its taken a toll on the body but the mind and spirit have has tremendous uplifts
You learn to be humble as clay/glaze/fire always will lay you out sooner or later-whether its a ruined load of pots from bad clay or pitted glaze or some other large mistaka. You lewarn to move thru it and move on. I just throw the laod away and throw another and try to understand the whys.
I love being a potter and the same fire I had at 18 with clay is still there in this old mans body.
 

So my big tip is what Roberta already said-when things get tight (recession -slow down -inflation) make smaller things. I have done this for over 4 decades and it always works.
I usually make more money in the slow times just by switching to smaller forms and lots of them.
as to Jens comment 
(But making a living means you will spend a lot of time NOT doing the part you love.)
Thats just a potters life and its all poart of the lifestyle-I'm not keen on all the bookkeeping but its part of the bigger picture which is the part I like. You cannot always just eat the frosting.
I feel your statement is what separates hobbyist from Professionals . I got over the parts I did not like in the 70s. This will be my last year of selling over 100k in ceramics and I can tell you there are parts I do not like but they get done just as well as the parts I do like.
Jen is spot on about slowly getting into it-the long haul while doing other things is the best way to ease into a potters life. Working side jobs while making is a good idea.
For me I never once had the thought I would be a full time potter as a job its was organic over time-it was more about passion than work and its just became my life without much thought-that was in the late 70s.

I wore out one wrist and a thumb bone in left hand. Missing three bones now in right wrist (PRC) and left thumb bone taken last year in left hand. The Wrist is also from some injury long ago (unknown) and throwing for so long did not help.
This is 50 years of heavy production  throwing so others need not worry.'Yes arthritis in all fingers and hands-but alas its also an age deal.
The plus sides-its kept my back and body in good shape. Its made me strong (age slows this down a bit)  . I had a one time incredible hand grip.
I move clay 12 times from pick up to sale. Pallet moving into truck then hand offload to clay shed) You do 8-12 tons a year for many many decades you either get strong or quit.I got strong
The biggest positive I can say is lifestyle. its given me freedom and focus and more learning than one could ever ask for. I had a lifetime of fixed dates I had to work the rest of the time was mine to work or play when I wanted.
Its also had some great side effects as I needed to master plumbing (to build kilns-I have done 12 at least)
I needed electrical skills so I worked with my best friend an electrical contractor back when I had an off season-learned those skills. I need more space so I worked witha carpenter friend and we built some more pot shop space and a few outbuildings.
Early in my carrier I did not have two dimes to rub together . Later after figuring out my markets (shows and outlets) It gave me financial freedom. 
Yes its taken a toll on the body but the mind and spirit have has tremendous uplifts
You learn to be humble as clay/glaze/fire always will lay you out sooner or later-whether its a ruined load of pots from bad clay or pitted glaze or some other large mistaka. You lewarn to move thru it and move on. I just throw the laod away and throw another and try to understand the whys.
I love being a potter and the same fire I had at 18 with clay is still there in this old mans body.
 

So my big tip is what Roberta already said-when things get tight (recession -slow down -inflation) make smaller things. I have done this for over 4 decades and it always works.
I usually make more money in the slow times just by switching to smaller forms and lots of them.
as to Jens comment 
(But making a living means you will spend a lot of time NOT doing the part you love.)
Thats just a potters life and its all poart of the lifestyle-I'm not keen on all the bookkeeping but its part of the bigger picture which is the part I like. You cannot always just eat the frosting.
I feel your statement is what separates hobbyist from Professionals . I got over the parts I did not like in the 70s. This will be my last year of selling over 100k in ceramics and I can tell you there are parts I do not like but they get done just as well as the parts I do like.
Jen is spot on about slowly getting into it-the long haul while doing other things is the best way to ease into a potters life. Working side jobs while making is a good idea.
For me I never once had the thought I would be a full time potter as a job its was organic over time-it was more about passion than work and its just became my life without much thought-that was in the late 70s.

Well after opening my 43 annual xmas booth this year during a huge storm I as of now am thinking this is my last xmas doing it. The money is great but I'm at a point where I want to feel what  a normal xmas is with only supplying my 7-8 outlets at Xmas and not selling my own work at my booth. I have done this booth every year straight since 1979. I think I'm getting to the point where the time is what I want back.
I have had great sales help but that is getting tougher and this year is the last for my crew (they are my age as well). I was wresting the doors closed thought hey this would be great not to doing this anymore. My plan was to slow it down at 70 and thats in March, really for me its xmas day as thats when all the demand slows again. I told my partner and she was happy to hear that maybe next year no more xmas booth .Only a  fire left to do as I;m done throwing for the year and just need a huge claen up fire. I close the booth for 3 days starting Monday to do just that.
 

It amazing how cutting down can make more money. Weather its an employee or shows. Less is more at times
I used to do 12 shows a year and when I cut that back and did less and had more inventory at the shows I did I made more money that year. Having more inventory at a show you make more $. I kept cutting shows back as I aged and still made more money. The show expense food and lodging all added up or didn't  making me more $. Finding the sweet spot -well thats a bit harder.
I have had a part time as needed studio assistant  for over  30 years and am not letting her go yet. Next year we are going to try a new schedule -month ot two on month or two off.
I'm setting my xmas booth up today with wares-its my 42rd year in this shopping center. Booth runs 5-66 hours a day and I have sales help. I'll run it for 13 days this year. Fri-sat-sun. close for 3 days (will bisque and glaze and fire) then reopen thru and run everyday till midafternoon xmas eve.
Next year one local show and if I choose maybe this xmas booth-we shall see. I still have  7 -8 wholesale outlets as well selling my work daily.All local but one (my best one)
I'm done throwing this year a bit early for me.I think I have the most wares ever this time of year in stock.The economy has softened compared to last year which was over the top.
Sales have returned to normal this year .

I wore out one wrist and a thumb bone in left hand. Missing three bones now in right wrist (PRC) and left thumb bone taken last year in left hand. The Wrist is also from some injury long ago (unknown) and throwing for so long did not help.
This is 50 years of heavy production  throwing so others need not worry.'Yes arthritis in all fingers and hands-but alas its also an age deal.
The plus sides-its kept my back and body in good shape. Its made me strong (age slows this down a bit)  . I had a one time incredible hand grip.
I move clay 12 times from pick up to sale. Pallet moving into truck then hand offload to clay shed) You do 8-12 tons a year for many many decades you either get strong or quit.I got strong
The biggest positive I can say is lifestyle. its given me freedom and focus and more learning than one could ever ask for. I had a lifetime of fixed dates I had to work the rest of the time was mine to work or play when I wanted.
Its also had some great side effects as I needed to master plumbing (to build kilns-I have done 12 at least)
I needed electrical skills so I worked with my best friend an electrical contractor back when I had an off season-learned those skills. I need more space so I worked witha carpenter friend and we built some more pot shop space and a few outbuildings.
Early in my carrier I did not have two dimes to rub together . Later after figuring out my markets (shows and outlets) It gave me financial freedom. 
Yes its taken a toll on the body but the mind and spirit have has tremendous uplifts
You learn to be humble as clay/glaze/fire always will lay you out sooner or later-whether its a ruined load of pots from bad clay or pitted glaze or some other large mistaka. You lewarn to move thru it and move on. I just throw the laod away and throw another and try to understand the whys.
I love being a potter and the same fire I had at 18 with clay is still there in this old mans body.
 

I wore out one wrist and a thumb bone in left hand. Missing three bones now in right wrist (PRC) and left thumb bone taken last year in left hand. The Wrist is also from some injury long ago (unknown) and throwing for so long did not help.
This is 50 years of heavy production  throwing so others need not worry.'Yes arthritis in all fingers and hands-but alas its also an age deal.
The plus sides-its kept my back and body in good shape. Its made me strong (age slows this down a bit)  . I had a one time incredible hand grip.
I move clay 12 times from pick up to sale. Pallet moving into truck then hand offload to clay shed) You do 8-12 tons a year for many many decades you either get strong or quit.I got strong
The biggest positive I can say is lifestyle. its given me freedom and focus and more learning than one could ever ask for. I had a lifetime of fixed dates I had to work the rest of the time was mine to work or play when I wanted.
Its also had some great side effects as I needed to master plumbing (to build kilns-I have done 12 at least)
I needed electrical skills so I worked with my best friend an electrical contractor back when I had an off season-learned those skills. I need more space so I worked witha carpenter friend and we built some more pot shop space and a few outbuildings.
Early in my carrier I did not have two dimes to rub together . Later after figuring out my markets (shows and outlets) It gave me financial freedom. 
Yes its taken a toll on the body but the mind and spirit have has tremendous uplifts
You learn to be humble as clay/glaze/fire always will lay you out sooner or later-whether its a ruined load of pots from bad clay or pitted glaze or some other large mistaka. You lewarn to move thru it and move on. I just throw the laod away and throw another and try to understand the whys.
I love being a potter and the same fire I had at 18 with clay is still there in this old mans body.
 

I wore out one wrist and a thumb bone in left hand. Missing three bones now in right wrist (PRC) and left thumb bone taken last year in left hand. The Wrist is also from some injury long ago (unknown) and throwing for so long did not help.
This is 50 years of heavy production  throwing so others need not worry.'Yes arthritis in all fingers and hands-but alas its also an age deal.
The plus sides-its kept my back and body in good shape. Its made me strong (age slows this down a bit)  . I had a one time incredible hand grip.
I move clay 12 times from pick up to sale. Pallet moving into truck then hand offload to clay shed) You do 8-12 tons a year for many many decades you either get strong or quit.I got strong
The biggest positive I can say is lifestyle. its given me freedom and focus and more learning than one could ever ask for. I had a lifetime of fixed dates I had to work the rest of the time was mine to work or play when I wanted.
Its also had some great side effects as I needed to master plumbing (to build kilns-I have done 12 at least)
I needed electrical skills so I worked with my best friend an electrical contractor back when I had an off season-learned those skills. I need more space so I worked witha carpenter friend and we built some more pot shop space and a few outbuildings.
Early in my carrier I did not have two dimes to rub together . Later after figuring out my markets (shows and outlets) It gave me financial freedom. 
Yes its taken a toll on the body but the mind and spirit have has tremendous uplifts
You learn to be humble as clay/glaze/fire always will lay you out sooner or later-whether its a ruined load of pots from bad clay or pitted glaze or some other large mistaka. You lewarn to move thru it and move on. I just throw the laod away and throw another and try to understand the whys.
I love being a potter and the same fire I had at 18 with clay is still there in this old mans body.
 

In my outlets-meaning gallery gift shops and organic markets its always 100% perfect. In my shows its 99.9 perfect .S cracks are toast. Any flaws are extremely minimal and saved for later.
I have kept the seconds for my xmas booth these days and let a customer who buys a piece (a first) have a second for free (they are in a box nearby and they go very fast) 
At one time I would take this same box to our local show and have them priced down. They went very fast then as well Now its the  free box for buying customers at xmas. Its also a xmas good feeeling deal

Well after opening my 43 annual xmas booth this year during a huge storm I as of now am thinking this is my last xmas doing it. The money is great but I'm at a point where I want to feel what  a normal xmas is with only supplying my 7-8 outlets at Xmas and not selling my own work at my booth. I have done this booth every year straight since 1979. I think I'm getting to the point where the time is what I want back.
I have had great sales help but that is getting tougher and this year is the last for my crew (they are my age as well). I was wresting the doors closed thought hey this would be great not to doing this anymore. My plan was to slow it down at 70 and thats in March, really for me its xmas day as thats when all the demand slows again. I told my partner and she was happy to hear that maybe next year no more xmas booth .Only a  fire left to do as I;m done throwing for the year and just need a huge claen up fire. I close the booth for 3 days starting Monday to do just that.
 

Make it out of stainless steel-easy and it will not break

If its NOT glazed fire another piece of  slab over the top keeping a slight pressure on it..But not enough to flatten the humps
Also clay has memory so how you form this is very important .Over bending or overworking can make it act like this as well.
If its glazed on one side only this will pull it up as well
 
One thing I do know is the more you NEED it and the less time you have the more it will act up so make 3 or 4  of them and mix it up fire one say on its side the other with a slab on top as noted
squeeze one with bricks on its side

Well after opening my 43 annual xmas booth this year during a huge storm I as of now am thinking this is my last xmas doing it. The money is great but I'm at a point where I want to feel what  a normal xmas is with only supplying my 7-8 outlets at Xmas and not selling my own work at my booth. I have done this booth every year straight since 1979. I think I'm getting to the point where the time is what I want back.
I have had great sales help but that is getting tougher and this year is the last for my crew (they are my age as well). I was wresting the doors closed thought hey this would be great not to doing this anymore. My plan was to slow it down at 70 and thats in March, really for me its xmas day as thats when all the demand slows again. I told my partner and she was happy to hear that maybe next year no more xmas booth .Only a  fire left to do as I;m done throwing for the year and just need a huge claen up fire. I close the booth for 3 days starting Monday to do just that.
 

I would have gone broke if I had to brush glazes 49 years ago
At my cone 10 firing temps I dip and pour ,I do a use a sponge to underglaze my fish with my own glazes. I wipe it on and then off so the low spotrs (scales show ) then over pour a glaze on top.

I would have gone broke if I had to brush glazes 49 years ago
At my cone 10 firing temps I dip and pour ,I do a use a sponge to underglaze my fish with my own glazes. I wipe it on and then off so the low spotrs (scales show ) then over pour a glaze on top.

It amazing how cutting down can make more money. Weather its an employee or shows. Less is more at times
I used to do 12 shows a year and when I cut that back and did less and had more inventory at the shows I did I made more money that year. Having more inventory at a show you make more $. I kept cutting shows back as I aged and still made more money. The show expense food and lodging all added up or didn't  making me more $. Finding the sweet spot -well thats a bit harder.
I have had a part time as needed studio assistant  for over  30 years and am not letting her go yet. Next year we are going to try a new schedule -month ot two on month or two off.
I'm setting my xmas booth up today with wares-its my 42rd year in this shopping center. Booth runs 5-66 hours a day and I have sales help. I'll run it for 13 days this year. Fri-sat-sun. close for 3 days (will bisque and glaze and fire) then reopen thru and run everyday till midafternoon xmas eve.
Next year one local show and if I choose maybe this xmas booth-we shall see. I still have  7 -8 wholesale outlets as well selling my work daily.All local but one (my best one)
I'm done throwing this year a bit early for me.I think I have the most wares ever this time of year in stock.The economy has softened compared to last year which was over the top.
Sales have returned to normal this year .