Second-hand Wood-fired and permanent kilns: classifieds

Pottery kilns

Electric, gas or raku kilns, small test kilns, shelves and posts: buy or sell your pottery kiln with fellow enthusiasts. Every ad states the power supply (230 V or 400 V), the maximum temperature and the condition of the elements, so you know before you travel whether the kiln suits your studio.

What to check before buying a second-hand kiln

Can your electrical supply power it? The rating plate shows the voltage (230 V single-phase or 400 V three-phase) and the power. A 3.6 kW kiln draws about 16 A and needs a dedicated circuit; a 7 kW single-phase kiln draws about 30 A. Have an electrician check before you buy.
Will it fire hot enough for your clay? Earthenware: about 950 to 1100 °C. Stoneware: about 1220 to 1300 °C. A worn kiln may no longer reach its maximum temperature: ask for the temperature and date of the last successful firing.
Ask for a test heat-up Ask for a recent firing report or a test carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep the kiln closed while heating and wait until it has cooled completely before opening it. If in doubt, have the kiln checked by a qualified professional.
Check the elements Sagging, out of their grooves, grey and brittle: they will need replacing soon. Ask when they were last replaced.
The thermocouple and controller The thermocouple (the probe) wears out; ask when it was last replaced. Does the controller switch on? Does it show an error code?
Bricks, lid and door Fine cracks are normal. Watch out for a crack running right through the floor or lid, crumbling bricks or a lid that doesn’t close properly.
Control box and cable Blackened wires, cracked sheathing, a burning smell: the wiring needs redoing.
Transport Move a kiln upright, with several people, and avoid knocks: the bricks are fragile. Check door widths and stairs.
Asbestos in old kilns Before 2005, some kilns were insulated with asbestos. Ask for the year and the manual; if in doubt, don’t buy, and don’t dismantle or sand the insulation.

Wood-fired and permanent kilns

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Pottery kilns

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