Writing
Notes, essays, and research from Kiln Shed.
- kiln-guides
First Kiln Buying Guide: How to Choose a Home Studio Kiln
A complete framework for buying your first electric kiln: what size to get, the electrical work required, the controller you need, and models by budget.
- kiln-guides
Kiln Controller Guide: KilnMaster vs Bartlett Genesis
How the Skutt KilnMaster and L&L Bartlett Genesis controllers work: cone-fire versus ramp-hold, 1-zone versus 3-zone firing, and which features matter.
- kiln-guides
Kiln Cost to Fire: Electricity Cost Per Model and Cone
Computed kWh and dollar cost per firing for the Skutt KM-1027, KM-1018, KM-818, L&L e23T, and Paragon Caldera at bisque and cone-6 glaze, at US average rates.
- kiln-guides
Kiln Electrical Requirements: Breaker, Wire, Receptacle
Verified breaker size, wire gauge, and receptacle type for Skutt, L&L, and Paragon kilns, from manufacturer spec sheets, with the NEC continuous-load rule.
- kiln-guides
Kiln Element Replacement: Life, Cost, and DIY vs. Tech
How long kiln elements last, the signs they are failing, what replacement sets cost for Skutt and L&L kilns, and whether to swap them yourself or call a tech.
- kiln-guides
Kiln Firing Schedules: Bisque and Cone-6 Starting Points
Standard ramp-hold firing schedules for bisque (cone 04) and cone-6 glaze: slow, medium, and fast structures, why each stage exists, and when to adjust them.
- kiln-guides
Kiln Placement Guide: Clearances, Floors, and Siting
Manufacturer clearances for Skutt and L&L kilns, floor options, garage versus basement tradeoffs, and the real story on permits and homeowner's insurance.
- kiln-guides
Kiln Ventilation Guide: Downdraft Systems and Room Air
What kilns release during firing, why ventilation matters, how downdraft vent systems work, and how to set up safe venting in a garage or basement studio.
- kiln-guides
Pyrometric Cones Explained: Numbers, Temps, Witness Cones
How pyrometric cones work, what the cone numbers mean, witness cones versus controller programs, and the standard cone temperatures from low fire to high fire.
- kiln-comparisons
KM-1027 vs KM-1018: Skutt's Size Decision in Plain Numbers
KM-1027 gives 7.3 cubic feet on a 60-amp circuit; KM-1018 gives 4.6 on a 50-amp circuit. Same cone-10 rating, different size and electrical load. Which fits?
- kiln-comparisons
Skutt vs L&L Kilns: KM-1027 and e23T Head to Head
Skutt KM-1027 vs L&L e23T: the same 48-amp circuit and the same cost per firing. The price gap buys three-zone control, a longer warranty, easier elements.
- kiln-comparisons
Paragon Caldera vs Skutt KM-818: Plug In or Wire Up
The Paragon Caldera runs on 120V household power at about $0.77 per glaze firing; the Skutt KM-818 needs a 240V 40-amp circuit and fires far more per load.