Advice on buying a used kiln?
I’m considering purchasing a paint your own pottery studio. One of my major concerns involved purchasing the used (i.e. older) kilns, which are obviously a key piece of equipment. Does anyone know how long the typical electric kiln lasts? Does anyone on this site have experience purchasing used kilns?
An electric kiln, if well taken care of, should last a long, long time. However, they have consumable components that are going to need to be replaced every year. If the kiln is abused, it can be rendered unusable in just a single firing.
So my advice:
+ For a PYOP studio, get one with an electronic controller only. The “kiln sitter” style kilns are dangerous, and a fire hazard.
+ Find out what voltage your shop will have, and limit your search to kilns that run off this voltage only. Getting a transformer to change the voltage will be more expensive than buying a new kiln.
+ Look for a high quality brand. If it were me, I’d buy a kiln from Nabertherm, Cone Art (Shimpo), Skutt, Cress, L&L or Paragon only. I’m not a fan of the others.
+ Look at some new and gently used kilns. Any severe discoloration or cracking of the bricks are signs of abuse.
+ When you find a kiln you think works for you, get the model and serial number, and call the manufacturer and make sure they can supply you with parts for the kiln. You don’t want to get it, then have to spend days looking for a part for it.
+ Once you get it, order the following parts for it:
++ New thermocouples
++ New relays (unless it has mercury / solid state relays)
++ A full set of elements.
++ A voltmeter with a clamp-on ammeter.
Replace the thermocouples and the relays right away. Plan to replace these every year as they are consumable. If the elements are working, you don’t have to replace them.
+ If you’re not comfortable with the above, find a good kiln service guy to come in and give it a good once-over. Program his number into speed dial. (Message me with your location if you need help finding one)
+ Make sure you get a kiln vent either from your manufacturer or Orton, and vent your kiln outside of the building.
+ Invest in some cinder blocks to put under the legs of the kiln to bring it up to a comfortable height (unless you can find a front-loader). Your back will thank you.
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