Which kiln should I buy? A guide for jewellers
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A jewellery kiln is a fantastic addition to your jewellery making equipment.
However, a kiln is an investment and there are different types of jewellery kilns on the market for different techniques so which do you choose?
If you’ve thought about buying a kiln but don’t know where to start then don’t worry! Help is here!
For this weeks episode of the podcast, I spoke with Petra from Metal Clay Ltd who talked with me about the considerations for buying a kiln that works for you.
Whether you’re a new jewellery maker or want to take your skills to the next level, buying a great kiln is one of the best investments you can make. Petra Cameron of Metal Clay Ltd. knows this from experience; she started making jewellery in her guest bedroom several years ago and has since grown Metal Clay into a successful supply company. In this episode, Petra joins us to discuss everything you need to know when purchasing a kiln, along with some important safety tips.
Episode Recap
Why did you start Metal Clay? (1:57)
What should people look for when buying their first kilns? (5:03)
Common uses of a kiln for jewellery makers (7:27)
Differences between the Prometheus and Paragon kilns (10:10)
What is ramp speed? (14:35)
Advantages of purchasing a programmable kiln (17:40)
How to safely store your kiln (20:23)
Do you need a surge protector? (25:40)
What other types of kilns are available? (30:28)
Do you need accessories to go with your kiln? (33:58)
How to get in touch with Petra and Metal Clay (37:33)
How much does it cost to run a kiln? (38:41)
Resources
what is a kiln?
A kiln is like an oven that can go to high temperatures. You may have seen large pottery or ceramic kilns but don’t worry - jewellery kilns are much smaller than these - usually around the size of a microwave oven.
You can use a jewellery kiln for:
Enamelling
Fused glass and making glass cabochons
Metal clay - silver clay and base metal clays
Annealing wire
Lampwork beads
So you first need to consider what you want your kiln for and what you might want to try in the future. It is a considered purchase and something that you will hope to have for a long time so future-proofing is a consideration - you don’t want to outgrow your kiln quickly as, with care, it will last you for years. However, as Petra mentions in the episode, there is a market for second-hand kilns so if you find you want to upgrade after a few years your investment is not wasted.
Kiln brands
There are two main kiln brands for jewellers - the Prometheus which is made in Turkey and the Paragon which has been manufactured in the USA since the 1940s. Both are great brands and great kiln options. Price differences between the brands can be because of import and shipping costs.
I just want to do enamelling, which kiln should I choose?
If you know you will just want to do enamelling then the Prometheus Pro 1 is a great option (this is the one used on our Enamelling courses). It is a small kiln which you can type in the temperature you want it to go to, press start and it will heat and hold at that temperature.
This kiln is not ideal for anything where you want to be able to program a ramp (see definition below) so is quite specific to enamelling. If you want to be able to enamel and do more then:
A workhorse kiln:
For silver clay, glass fusing, cabochons, enamelling, annealing wire - a tabletop electric kiln is perfect. These can plug into the mains electricity, stand on a table and fit well into your space. There are different sizes but they tend to take up the same space as a microwave.
Good options to look at are the Prometheus Pro, Paragon SC2 and the Paragon Q11
What about lampwork beads?
If you would like to do lampwork beads or think you might in the future then it is worth looking at a kiln that has a bead door.
What is a microwave kiln?
This is a box you put inside your microwave which then heats up the inside of the microwave kiln. This type is best suited for glass fusing. You can't set it so it can be a little hit and miss but many people love their microwave kiln.
What is the ultralite kiln?
This is a very specialist kiln that is fantastic for keum boo and granulation, small glass cabochons, basic silver clay firing (not sterling silver clay or base metal clays).
Pictured: Paragon SC2 (the turquoise one), Prometheus Pro-1 (the grey one) ultralite kiln (the round one). Photo courtesy of Metal Clay Ltd.
Kiln terminology you should know
It can seem a bit bamboozling at first but it is quite straightforward.
Think of a kiln as being like your oven.
Ramp
How fast the kiln heats up or cools down.
When you turn your oven on to 180 degrees your oven will start heating up and go up to that temperature as quickly as it can. It will then hold at that temperature until you turn the oven off.
Ramp is the time it takes for the kiln to get up to the temperature you’ve programmed. A full ramp means that you have turned your kiln on and it is going to go to temperature as quickly as possible. However, for some types of jewellery e.g. glass fusing, you may want the kiln to go up in temperature more slowly than this so that the glass doesn’t shatter. You can program the ramp, for example, set the kiln to go up 200 degrees per hour.
Target temperature
The temperature that you want the kiln to go up to
Hold time
The amount of time you want the kiln to hold at that temperature
Where should I keep my kiln?
A kiln can go on a wooden topped table. It does get hot on the top and sides but underneath doesn't get very hot. You can get a heatproof mat or surface to go under your kiln and it is worth having them around your kiln so you can put hot things down safely.
A metal cart is ideal for putting your kiln on.
When you have a programmable controller on your kiln you can set the ramp, target temperature and hold time and then leave it.
What accessories do I need to get?
The kiln itself is your main purchase but there are some additional items you will need
Kiln shelf - this is usually either a heatproof board or tile that goes onto rests. This is where you put your pieces to be fired. You never put your pieces directly onto the kiln floor. Always buy items designed for the kiln - the temperatures that your kiln goes up to means that you can’t use inferior items
Strong solid tongs
Gloves - welders gloves or leather gloves protect your hands from the heat (if you will be opening the kiln up when it is hot. Many people fire and wait overnight for their kiln to cool completely before opening)
Somewhere to put the things coming out of the kiln e.g. a heatproof mat
As a precaution, it is always worth having a fire extinguisher and burn kit in your studio. In my experience of having a kiln for more than 10 years neither has been necessary but these are things you will need in an emergency.
Top tips
Think safety
If you’ll be opening the kiln when it is hot ensure you have tongs, gloves and a heatproof surface to put your pieces on. Always wear closed-toed shoes
Don't put anything on top of the kiln
Make it a habit to never put anything on the top of your kiln or have anything leaning against it.
Read the instructions
It is always worth ensuring that you have read the full instruction booklet.
Always fire on a kiln shelf
You can damage your kiln if you put items for firing directly on the kiln floor.
Kiln FAQs
How much does it cost to run a kiln?
Petra did a test with the Paragon SC2 which is one of the larger jewellery kilns. Heating up and running a program for 30 minutes cost 20p. Holding for 2 hours cost less than 50p so the cost of running your kiln is not high.
What is the clicking that a kiln makes when you turn it on?
This is the relay in the kiln turning the element on. It will continue to click until it reaches the temperature and this is completely normal.
If you would like to learn enamelling then take a look at our Beginners and Intermediate Enamelling course bundle.
On these courses, taught by enamel jeweller Michelle Leaver, you will learn:
Dry sifting enamel technique
Wet packing enamel technique
Using transparent enamels to show the texture of the metal underneath
Adding decorative wire elements to your designs
The ronde-bosse technique - enamelling a rounded surface including rings and domed pieces
How to prepare a ring for enamelling
How to add foil accents to your enamel designs - gold, silver or copper foil
And much more!