Hobby Kilns, Ceramic Kilns, Pottery Kilns, Top Loading Kilns, Front Loading Kilns, Home Kilns, Studio Kilns, School Kilns, Workshop Kilns, Home Potter Kilns, Kiln Support, Kiln Training, Kiln Installation, Paint Your Own Pottery Kilns, Using Kilns, Kiln Advice,

Kilns & Kiln Firing

Size is important because you need to select a kiln that is neither too large for the amount of traffic it will see or too small to be constantly over loaded with work

Your kiln or kilns are the most important element (excuse the pun) of your business! Without a fully functioning kiln you cannot trade. You will very quickly lose customers if their pieces are not fired correctly or are not ready on time.

Moreover, every location has its own peculiarities: doors, windows, access dimensions, power supply, water supply, floor, ceiling and lighting all impinge on the kiln selection. It therefore makes sense to buy a kiln where maintenance and spare parts are readily available. It also makes sense to be able to choose from a range of kilns where your particular environmental conditions can be accommodated. Finally, it is only natural to look for best value for money. It is for all these reasons we are pleased to supply a range of suitable kilns that meet all the above requirements.

Most customers that buy a kiln from us have never used one before and are very nervous.  We can provide honest advice to give you the support you need to use your new kiln with confidence. 

The kilns we stock have digital controllers.  Firing your new kiln will be as easy as pressing one or two buttons. 

Buying a Kiln?

• Then select wisely.  Click on the blue link for top tips on choosing the right kiln.  Alternatively, call 01235 861700 and speak to a member of the sales team who have first-hand experience in using our range of kilns.

Kiln Discounts

• We want you to be successful in your new venture.  Attend our Business Start Up Training Course (Pottery) and receive up to £100 discount off the cost of a Nabertherm or Potterycrafts kiln (a discount voucher of £50 per person is issued and up to two vouchers can be redeemed).  We also offer two FREE Glazing and Kiln Firing course places worth £100 (£50 per person) and £100 of FREE Bisque (based on retail prices).* Excludes kiln kits.  Terms and conditions apply.

Kiln Packages

• Start up packages.  Click on the link for more information

Glazing and Kiln Loading

Kiln firing, glazing and firing pottery or ceramics can produce unexpected results.  Many novice potters or ceramic business owners experiences glaze defects or issues like:  "rough to touch pottery", pin pricking, orange peel effects, blackened pottery, uneven glaze, milky glaze, glazed items with blisters or crateholes, glaze that shivers, colour/glaze that "pings off" (like chipped nail varnish), cracked bisque, rough, grainy or bubbled glazed pieces, crazing/delayed crazing or even colour problems with underdeveloped red, pink or purple and black glazes or underglazes that look blue or milky after firing.

Country Love Crafts run a Glazing and Kiln Firing training course.  The course is essential for all new business owners or as a refresher course for existing business owners and/or potters.  Learn different methods of glazing and how to load and fire a kiln.  This course has been one of our most popular training topics for nearly a decade.  Delegates will benefit from practical glazing sessions and a copy of our ‘Glazing & Firing' manual – a document packed full of helpful glazing and kiln loading hints and tips

Pottery Kilns/ Ceramic Kilns

Country Love Crafts distribute kilns on behalf of two manufacturers:

• Nabertherm Kilns are worldwide leaders with over 60 years of experience in kiln manufacturing.  Their kilns are located in private homes, potteries, businesses, schools, nurseries and kindergartens around the world.  Nabertherm are a German manufacturer with a UK nationwide support team.  Kilns come with a 3 year warranty.

• Potterycrafts Kilns are manufactured in the UK and represent excellent value for money.  These energy efficient kilns are a very popular with choice with UK schools.  These kilns are supported by a nationwide service team.  Kilns come with a 3 year warranty.

Desktop Kilns

We sell a great desktop kiln that is ideal for enamelling , precious metal clay, glass, beading, annealing, polymer clays (like Fimo and Sculpey) and hardening of other metals.

• Prometheus Kilns are manufactured in Turkey.  The Prometheus Pro-1 kiln is a great, low-cost desktop kiln that is popular with hobbyists and professionals.  It is perfect for small-scale work.

Availability

• Kiln Delivery can be estimated and later confirmed at the time of ordering - but typical timescales are usually 1-3 weeks.  We keep a small supply of top loading and Prometheus kilns in our warehouse for immediate despatch i.e. a next day service for mainland UK destinations.  Nabertherm ship worldwide so please e-mail us even if you are outside the UK and want to buy a kiln.

Kiln Extras

• Kiln accessories, tools and glazing room supplies (like shelves, props, stilts, cones, stilt stones etc) are also available through Country Love Crafts.

Guarantees/Warranties

• Depending on the model ordered, 3 year or 1 year warranties are available.  Warranties exclude thermocouples and kiln elements as these are classed as "wear and tear" items. 

Technical Data & Specifications

Our current catalogue (page 81 & 82) shows the following specifications of our top selling models:

• manufacturer
• model
• litre size
• furniture set
• controller
• top temperature
• kilowatts
• ampage
• electrics
• weight
• inner and outer dimensions

Alternatively please e-mail a member of the sales team at sales@countrylovecrafts.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have no experience in using a kiln - should this concern me?

Country Love Crafts can give you all the support you need in buying and setting up your kiln. 
Our Pottery Business Start Up Training Course  and Glazing and Kiln Firing Training and Advice courses both explain how to glaze, fire and manage your kiln.  In addition, we are happy to provide as much telephone or e-mail support as necessary.  We don't want to sell you a kiln and leave you to struggle.  Our aim is to make your business a success so that you continue to order through us - a win, win situation.

What is the most popular kiln for my business?

The Nabertherm Top 60 tends to be the most popular size kiln for hobbyists and small business owners
The Nabertherm Top 190 tends to be the next best seller but this is more suited to larger businesses like studios or clay cafes.

Can I order an electrical appliance from you with appropriate wiring for my country?

All of the electrical appliances we stock are wired for UK use.  However, some of our manufacturers are able to supply country-specific wiring e.g. Nabertherm (our kiln manufacturer).  Therefore, it is best to call or e-mail us with your individual enquiry.

What is included in the kiln price?

All pottery kilns come with a 3 year warranty and both Nabertherm & Potterycrafts have a UK support team.  Included in the kiln price is £100 worth of free bisque (based on retail prices) and two FREE spaces on our "Amazing Glazing" course.  We can also send a few bottles of underglaze and glaze to try.  If you have limited knowledge of using a kiln and associated products, then please let us know and we will be happy to support you whilst you learn.  For example, we provide step-by-step instructions on programming the kiln for use with our products.

• Please remember that you need to ensure your insurance policy (this includes a home policy if you are based from home) is changed to reflect that you are using a kiln.  
• Please check the dimensions of every doorway and corridor to make sure that the kiln will fit through.  Remember to include lift doors etc
• Please check with an electrician that the ampage of the kiln will not affect the electrical supply at the site. 
• If you order a 13amp kiln, we do not recommend the use of extension leads with the kilns.

What if the doorway or corridor is too small to fit the kiln?

Please speak to us if you envisage problems.  Our manufacturers have support teams based in the UK so we should be able to organise for the kilns to be fitted on site or seek advice regarding installation.

Will my kiln produce dangerous fumes?

Kilns are an electrical appliance and they do not emit toxic fumes.  However, the products on the items fired may well cause problems such as an unpleasant smell.  Most of the products we sell at Country Love Crafts are lead-free and non-toxic.  For more information and guidelines on this topic, go to The Health and Safety Executive website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/ or Orton.  If you are keen to vent the kiln, we do sell a kiln vent kit manufactured by Orton.  There are also some good firing tips on this website. 

How much does it cost to run a kiln?

This does depend on the size of the kiln, how many items are inside the kiln (if the kiln is fully loaded it will take longer to penetrate heat into the wares) and the cost you are paying per unit of electricity.  However, on average the small 40 litre (hobby or small business kiln) from Nabertherm costs about £2 per firing and the larger 190 litre (studio kiln) costs about £7-£10 per firing.

Northern Kilns, Paragon Kilns, www.paragonkilns.co.uk, www.kilns.co.uk, www.essexkilns.co.uk , www.cromartie.co.uk, skutt kilns, paragon kilns, silver clay kilns, metal clay kilns, skutt kilns, studio kilns