Choosing Your Glass Kiln
A glass kiln is a big investment, so buy from a supplier you trust. We sell kilns every day to glass artists worldwide, and use them regularly in our studio.
Friendly
Advice
Loyalty
Discounts
FREE Technical Support
Price Match
Promise
FREE Delivery to Mainland UK*
FREE
Coaster Kit
Why choose Warm Glass?
- Friendly Advice: Choosing your kiln? Just call our team or
send us an email . - Quality Glass Kilns: We only stock good quality kilns, with a warranty for your peace of mind.
- Loyalty Discounts: We offer discounts based on total spend, including purchased kilns.
- Price Match Promise: Found a cheaper kiln elsewhere? Let us know and we'll do our best to match.
- FREE Lifetime Technical Support: Once you've bought your kiln, we'll be here for you with advice.
- FREE Delivery to Mainland UK*: We deliver kilns around the world. Excludes Highlands & Islands. Subject to access.
- FREE Coaster Kit: Perfect for experimenting with your new kiln.
When choosing a kiln, watch our handy videos, read our 'What to Consider' section below, or use our Kiln Comparison Tables for guidance.
What should I consider?
Size of the Kiln
If your focus is making jewellery or smaller pieces, don't spend extra on a bigger kiln that costs more to fire and takes up space - a smaller kiln like the Skutt Firebox 8 is perfect for this. If you're bead-making, consider the Paragon SC2. This makes annealing the beads much easier than in standard kilns.
Making large plates, bowls or bigger decorative pieces? You need a kiln to fit your work. Consider the volume of work you wish to fire - if you're firing a few pieces each day then you'll need a chamber big enough. Remember, pieces will be in the kiln for the best part of a day. In our medium-sized range, we recommend Kilncare kilns (such as the popular Hobbyfuser) for size, usability and build quality, or the Skutt Firebox 14.
If you want to make taller pieces such as drop-out vases or taller castings, you will need a kiln with the depth of chamber to accomodate this, such as the Kilncare Hobbyfuser Drop-Out, Cub-fuser Deep or the Pro-fuser Deep.
Finally, consider the logistics. Does it fit where you want it to go? Can you get it through the door? If you are looking at a larger kiln, make sure you can get it wired into your power supply.
Power Requirements
The larger the kiln, the greater the amount of power required to operate the kiln. Kilns up to 3KW and 13 amps will usually run on a domestic plug outlet and are listed in our Plug-In Kilns category.
Large Kilns will have to be installed by an electrician by being wired directly or by having a specialist socket installed.
Some kilns are available as a 3-phase option. This is rare in domestic premises so make sure you have a 3-phase supply before ordering a 3-phase kiln.
Type of Controller
Digital Programmers: These can be programmed for automatic firing and usually have preset programmes. They make firing easy, but the ease of programming varies by brand. We recommend controllers with preset firing schedules to begin, with the option of adding your own. Some kilns offer WiFi controllers, allowing you to program your kiln anytime, anywhere.
Infinite Switches: Controllers with dials that control how long the elements are on/off. Kilns with these are cheaper but need 'babysitting' as settings usually need adjusting during each firing. We no longer sell these kilns.
Top or Side Elements
Glass requires even heat across its surface to fire correctly. For larger kilns, look for elements in the top, allowing for the heat to distribute evenly over the glass surface.
If the kiln is deep (for three-dimensional work), then it should also have side elements to penetrate heat lower into the chamber.
In budget kilns, square kilns with elements in only two or three sides (not in the top) can suffer from uneven heat distribution and cold spots.
Top or Front Load
Top loading kilns: These are excellent if combined with top elements. They are very easy to load and unload and allow excellent access to your work.
Front loading kilns: These are usually better than top loaders for use as bead annealing kilns.
Quality of Build
Choose a kiln built by a quality manufacturer with an established reputation such as Kilncare, Nabertherm, Skutt or Paragon. That’s why we stock them. Generally, higher prices mean better build quality, bigger chambers, and more 'extras', such as quartz elements or lid-opening mechanisms.
Cost of Firing & Sustainability
We provide the average cost of firing for nearly all of our kilns, allowing you to make a suitable choice for the size and quantity of your work. Tips for efficiency include maximising the shelf space for each firing.
Want to choose a highly efficient kiln? Consider the Kilncare Eco-fuser with GX insulation - the average Basic Full Fuse can cost as little as £1.36 (Feb 2024).
