Where to buy a kiln

At the ASM teachers camps, we use kilns from Seattle Pottery Supply.

We like the front loading kilns and lean toward the 120 volt versions with the digital controllers because they're programmable - allowing for particularly ramp rates, hold lengths, and delay starts. If you ever get stumped, the digital controller looks like this, and its manual can be found online here.

The 120 volt kilns do require breakers with at least 20 amp capacities. You'll know if your circuit has that if it looks like this.

There are other kiln sellers, of course, but make sure to check that your electrical circuits have the right capacity for what you're ordering, that you're getting a front loader (that's the side-swinging door, not the up-and-down guillotine option), and that you're getting a programmable, digital controller. All of that should add up to a good raku experience.

Oh, and while you're at it, throw a piece of Fiberfrax paper on the bottom to protect your kiln from any dripping glaze.