When you are starting your ceramic handprint business the biggest equipment investment you will have may be your kiln. It is important to know what you are looking for when purchasing a kiln. The following hints are to help you with what to research and look for.
You first consideration is where are you going to put your kiln; in your garage, studio, workplace, etc. Think safety (concrete floor), convenience (close to your work space), and the kiln's electric power requirements. Typically an electric hobby kiln will need a minimum 220 volts of power with a 30-50 amp breaker. A qualified electrician should always be consulted regarding your exact wiring requirements that you need to have in your home or studio.
The type of kiln you might look for depends on several considerations. First, make sure of the electrical requirements of the kiln. Will it work with your existing wiring? Second, the size of the kiln. Get what fits you best. Too large of a kiln may take too long to build up enough work to fill it. Too small of a kiln may not give you the flexibility to fire your larger work. Third, consider the shapes of the kiln, (round, square, etc.). Will the kiln fit your work? Is it safe, easy and convenient for you to load and unload with the shape and dimensions you decide on? Forth, consider the type of firing controls (manual switches, the number of them, computer programmed firing, and safety features) available from the kiln manufacturer. Fifth, consider other options that include venting systems, sectional kilns, lid lifting systems and kiln construction methods.
Do your research in the early stages of your ceramic business start up plan to prevent problems later. Often this information can be found by reading the kiln manufacturers specifications, which are found on their Web sites. You may also want to talk to other ceramic studio owners and artists who are currently using kilns and have first hand experience.
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