Choosing a Glass Kiln
A glass kiln is an investment, so choose a supplier you trust. We sell kilns every day to artists worldwide, and use them regularly in our studio.
Whether it's a starter kiln, or an industrial-sized powerhouse, read our handy guide and comparison tables to choose the best option for you.
Need advice? Our team are here to help. Just call our team or send us an email.
Why choose Warm Glass for your kiln?
Our Trusted Brands
What to Consider?
Size & Shape
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.
If you're making jewellery or smaller pieces, choose compact kilns like the BlueLine Hobby Mini, Skutt Firebox 8 or Paragon SC2. A bigger kiln can cost more to fire and take up valuable studio space.
Many glass artists will quickly want to scale up, so for medium-sized projects, or daily firing of multiple pieces, consider models like the Kilncare Hobbyfuser, Kilncare Eco-fuser, BlueLine Hobby One or Skutt Firebox 14.
Thinking of taller work, like dropout vases or deep castings? Choose kilns with deep chambers such as the Kilncare Hobbyfuser Dropout (exclusive to Warm Glass), Cub-fuser Deep or Pro-fuser Deep.
We sell kilns with different chamber shapes - square, rectangular, heptagonal/circular, and bathtub - so think about how your future projects will fit. Finally, consider the logistics. Does it fit your space? Can you get it through the door? Larger kilns may require specialist installation.
Power Needs
Plug-in Kilns
These are the most common kilns we sell, which plug into standard domestic outlets. See our Plug-In Kilns collection.
Single Phase
Requires installation by an electrician. May involve a dedicated socket or direct wiring. See our Large Kilns collection.
Three Phase
Only choose if your premises has a 3-phase electrical supply (uncommon in homes). See our Large Kilns collection.
Controller Type
Make studio life easier with a great controller. The kilns we stock come with preset programs, to help get you started.
All our kilns come with digital programmers, which are recommended for ease and accuracy.
Kilncare and Nabertherm kilns come with WiFi options, and an app, allowing you to control and monitor your kiln from anywhere in the world. Skutt and Paragon also have WiFi features. Consider how many programs and segments you need for your work. If you plan on exploring a wide range of techniques, you may want the ability to store more programs.
Useful Videos
Kiln Comparison Tables
Best viewed on desktop
Small Plug-In Kilns
Under 40 x 40cm chambers
Kiln | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber Shape 🔳 | Square ⬛ | Square ⬛ | Square ⬛ | Square ⬛ | Round (Heptagonal) ⚫ | Square ⬛ |
Chamber Size 📐 | 11.5 x 11.5 x 11.5cm | 20 x 20 x 12cm | 20 x 20 x 14cm | 23 x 23 x 18.5cm | 38 diameter x 16.5cm | 36 x 36 x 17cm |
Shelf Size 📏 | 11 x 11cm | 17.5 x 17.5cm | 17.5 x 17.5cm | 22 x 22cm | Circular shelf: | 33 x 35.5cm |
External Kiln Size 📏 | 37 x 24 x 30.5cm | 39 x 45 x 27cm | 34 x 33 x 40cm | 48.5 x 35.5 x 37.5cm | 52 x 69 x 30cm | 65 x 65 x 50cm |
Weight 🏋️ | 5kg | 22kg | 16kg | 11kg | 45kg | 55kg |
Controller 🖲️ | Bentrup TC2088e | Mini Touchscreen | Sentinel TouchXpress | Bentrup TC2088e | Mini Touchscreen | Mini Touchscreen |
Program Storage 📈 | 19 | 30 | 12 | 19 | 30 | 30 |
Top Temperature 🔥 | 1050°C | 1100°C | 1093°C | 1050°C | 870°C | 870°C |
Power Rating ⚡ | 0.6 kW | 1.73 kW | 1.68 kW | 1.25 kW | 1.8 kW | 2.4 kW |
Power Information 🔌 | Domestic plug | Domestic plug | Domestic plug | Domestic plug | Domestic plug | Domestic plug |
Delay Start Function ⏱️ | ||||||
Vent Hole 💨 | ||||||
Warranty 🛡️ | 2 years | 2 years | 1 year | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
Medium Plug-In Kilns
Above 40 x 40cm chambers
Kiln | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber Shape 🔳 | Square ⬛ | Square ⬛ | Square ⬛ | Round ⚫ | Square ⬛ | Square ⬛ |
Chamber Size 📐 | 41 x 41 x 18cm | 42 x 42 x 20cm | 41.5 x 41.5 x 27.5cm | 41 diameter x 23cm | 42 x 42 x 22.5cm | 51 x 51 x 22.5cm |
Shelf Size 📏 | 39.5 x 39.5cm | 38 x 38cm | 38 x 38cm | Circular shelf: | 38 x 38cm | 49 x 49cm |
External Kiln Size 📏 | 68 x 60 x 41cm | 75 x 74 x 46cm | 75 x 74 x 58cm | 65 x 80 x 50cm | 80 x 75 x 55cm | 89.5 x 81 x 55cm |
Weight 🏋️ | 40kg | 90kg | 90kg | 50kg | 83kg | 94kg |
Controller 🖲️ | Bentrup TC2088e | KCR32C | KCR32C
| C540 WiFi | KCR32C
| KCR32C
|
Program Storage 📈 | 19 | 32 | 32 | 10 | 32 | 32 |
Top Temperature 🔥 | 1000°C | 960°C | 960°C | 950°C | 960°C | 960°C |
Power Rating ⚡ | 3 kW | 2.5 kW | 2.5 kW | 2 kW | 2.5 kW | 3 kW |
Power Information 🔌 | Domestic plug | Domestic plug | Domestic plug | Domestic plug | Domestic plug | Domestic plug |
Delay Start Function ⏱️ | ||||||
Vent Hole 💨 | ||||||
Spy Hole 🕵️ | ||||||
Warranty 🛡️ | 2 years | 4 years | 4 years | 3 years | 4 years | 4 years |
