Finding (and Fixing!) My First Kiln

A Beginner’s Guide to Kiln Ownership

When I first decided to build an at-home pottery studio, I knew that having my own kiln would be a huge step forward. I didn’t know much about kilns or even how to fire one, let alone how to fix one, but I was excited to get started. 

Before the work started.

New kilns can be expensive, so I turned to Facebook Marketplace, hoping to find something affordable. Eventually, I came across a manual Skutt-818 kiln for $400—budget-friendly compared to the thousands a new kiln can cost.

Even though I had no idea how to tell if it was in good condition, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity, so we drove two hours to Midland, Texas, to pick it up.

Fixing Up the Kiln: My First Big Project

I’ll admit, the idea of fixing up the kiln made me pretty nervous! I hadn’t ever fired a kiln, and now I was about to tackle repairs. After a lot of research and many YouTube videos, I began to see that electric kilns are actually quite straightforward in design. Still, it was my first time, so I took it one step at a time.

The repairs started with removing the elements and the K-tube, as I needed to replace some broken bricks first. Here’s how I went about it:

1. Disassembling the Kiln: We took off the panel and removed the top of the kiln so that we could work with each ring of bricks individually. To avoid damaging the good bricks, we placed each ring on a table covered with towels.

2. Replacing the Broken Bricks: After loosening the metal ring that holds the bricks together, I was able to remove the broken bricks and replace them with new ones. Once each ring was complete, we tightened the metal ring and moved on to the next.

3. Reinstalling the Elements: Replacing the elements was a bit trickier! Elements are bendable but fragile, so I had to be very careful. Each element needs pins to keep it in the grooves of the bricks. It’s essential not to force the ends of the elements into the holes that lead to the control panel—learned that the hard way! 

4. Putting the Kiln Back Together: Once the elements were in place, I still had some important things to do. I needed to realign the rings with the base, install the K-Tube, reconnect the elements to the control panel, and finally reattach the kiln lid.

By the end of the project, I felt like a kiln-fixing expert! I was proud to have taken on such a big task and excited to see if my work would pay off.

First Firing Fears and Successes

After getting the kiln back in shape, I was both excited and nervous to fire it up for the first time. I’d double-checked that the K-tube was adjusted correctly and that the elements were attached to the control panel. Still, I was holding my breath when I started the test firing. To my relief, the kiln reached a perfect cone 04 (1945 degrees Fahrenheit). With the new elements working perfectly, I was ready to fire my own pieces!

Dreaming of My Next Kiln

Now that I’ve gained some experience, I’m already planning my next kiln upgrade. I’m eyeing the Skutt 1027, a larger, programmable kiln that will allow me to adjust holds and fine-tune my firing schedule for different types of glazes.

I’m also hoping to learn more about custom firing schedules, so I plan to dive into The Complete Guide to Mid-Range Glazes by John Britt. This will help me understand the nuances of firing schedules and even start experimenting with making my own glazes.

How Having My Own Kiln Changed My Process

Owning my own kiln has been a game-changer. Many ceramicists who don’t have kilns rely on studios or friends to fire their work, and it can mean working around others’ schedules. Owning a kiln, I have the freedom to fire as often as I want, whether it’s multiple times a month or just a few. I also have full control over what goes into each firing—no more worries about a mishap from someone else’s work affecting my pieces.

Having this control brought new confidence and freedom to my process, and I’m so grateful to have taken the leap into kiln ownership.