How to Rent a Kiln

There is NO reason you should take on the insane expense of buying your own kiln. A pottery kiln is a community resource! There is 100% a ceramic artist in your area who owns a kiln. So in this video, I am sharing the most important things you need to know if you want to rent a kiln.

MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO:

//ONLINE CLASSES

//SHOP

//TOOLS & CLAY
Stuff I use and recommend:

//SAY HI!

All images used in this video are licensed under Creative Commons (CC).

0:00 - Intro
0:30 - Why you should Rent a Kiln
4:10 - Where to Find a Kiln
7:00 - Important Things to Know
7:30 - How to Understand Firing Temperatures
10:50 - Kiln Dimensions
11:50 - Other Limitations
14:40 - How to Deal with Glazing
16:40 - Pottery is Hard

[bellastoneman]

Can you do a video on transporting bone dry pottery to a kiln?

[barbarac]

It also helps the local potter. When I fire other people’s work it helps cover my electric bill for that kiln load. I rented space in someone else’s kiln till my volume got too high, then I bought my own kiln.

[MrJonathansb]

You need to know that your Way of teaching this is excellent

[fighterfighter]

Hello, I'm from Malaysia. I am a beginner in ceramic but I think I have to buy a new kiln since there is no ceramic community in my area that renting their kiln. Probably, because of competition in business. I am planning to register my association and rent my kiln for others benefits especially for low income people who interested in ceramic. Is it a good idea for a beginner like me to start it?

[hattterka]

One thing here with glazes - you can make powder glazes to stick better to your pots, you just have to mix pehatine into it. It Poland at least it is avaliable in all ceramics supply shops. It's pretty cheap, and powder glazes are still cheaper than paint ons - it's worth trying that!

[Ciarashomeyoga]

Can’t wait for more in this series. Learning so much. My new phrase for today is ‘vitrification point’!! And now I know what it means!! Yay!! Thank you.

[serene_bean]

what do you think about potters purchasing mini kilns (i.e. olympic doll e) for the sake of being able to test with quick turnaround?

[triciac]

I love going to the pottery studio. Most everyone is younger than me and they are all great people.

[thomasschwarz]

The reason that i needed to buy my own kiln, as you mentioned, is because i mainly work with porcelain and the community workshops fire at a kower temp. I am also interested in very low temperatures e.g. for gold leaf. So i would add that if you are deeply excited about all the aspects of ceramics including coatings, throwing, trimming, carving etc.... and if you want to use a plaster bat ))), then buy a kiln!!!! Y ou only live ❤

[canadastravelnewstravel]

Thank you for your honest information about firing spoons and how it should be done.

[lilithboettcher]

i love your videos and i’m learning so much each time! since you used to live in Berlin, is there any chance you have some ‘pottery community’ recommendations for Berlin? a place to connect with other (beginner / intermediate) pottery enthusiasts and to share a kiln etc?

thanks for all your work, looking forward to your future videos! (:

[MeSillyWoohoo]

Shared kilns srent a thing bere 😢 I checked so many sites. The closest kiln rental was 2 hours away. So i bought mine and now i am the local kiln rental lol

[somacoach]

Hello, I have an air inlet at the bottom of my nabertherm 45l kiln. On the program preset for bisque and glaze fire it says to close the air inlet for the last 20 minutes. Do you do this and recommend shutting the air inlet at the end of the program ? Thanks

[johnestrada]

Extremely helpful info here. 👌 pots in the background are fancy! I like.

[ncmykids]

Hi Im Emily in North Carolina (US) Just wanted to say thanks! This info helped me so much!!

[tegannottelling]

Thank you very much for all your time and info it's really a great resource. This probably isn't a question you get often but here goes. I have dug up my own clay and processed it (Basically sieved it after making it into slip) How would I go about finding out what type of clay it is (Earthen ware etc) and what temperature range it requires?

[littlemargou]

I had the chance to use a community kiln in a public school, but I knew my coleagues were using glazes not suitable for food (with lead). Is this not a big issue using community kilns? not knowing what glazes were used before inside it? how do I ensure my wares are food safe?

[linzertube]

This was very informative and enlightening. Thanks, for the great advice.

[jks]

I was lucky and inherited a medium size kiln. It takes me several weeks to fill for bisque. But i will get 2 glaze fires from them. I separate the firings to normal cone 5 and S L O W cool for the crystal glazes. I also separate the clay colors by shelves if i can. Nothing like having a white cup with specks on one side from something with red oxide spatters.
Learning the hard way makes you remember next time 😆 thanks

[robinlocher]

Just discovered you yesterday! LOVE IT! Great information in just the few vids I've watched...I'll definitely stay tuned! A friend and I are hoping to join this community ceramics studio here in our town - you just gave even more reasons why this is a GOOD thing! Thank you!! 😊💓⚱