Kiln Question

[crafty gurll]

I am thinking about buying a tiny kiln that can handle small glass fusing, PMC, enamel, and ceramic pieces. Does anyone have any thoughts on what to look for or a kiln they love? I want to keep it under $300, if possible. Also, I need to be able to use it in my apartment with a standard 120V outlet.

I really like my Paragon Fusion 7, runs on standard 120V, but it doesn't do ceramic and was over $300.  It's big enough to do bottles, but doesn't take up too much space.  It's very easy to program as well.

They do have low fire PMC which may be able to be fired in a glass kiln, I need to look into that.  I would go to mudinmind.com, that's where I got my kiln and the prices were the best I had found anywhere.  If a kiln can fire ceramics it can do glass, but sometimes a glass kiln can't do ceramics.  Glass fuses at a lower temp than ceramics, and the cycle is quicker with glass, so that is something to keep in mind when looking.  My only advice would be to get the largest you can afford so you can do as much with it as possible. 

Craig's List is always an option, I see tons of kilns on there, from full size to tabletop.

[DoodleLou]

I am thinking about buying a tiny kiln that can handle small glass fusing, PMC, enamel, and ceramic pieces. Does anyone have any thoughts on what to look for or a kiln they love? I want to keep it under $300, if possible. Also, I need to be able to use it in my apartment with a standard 120V outlet.

I used Clay King to get my kiln.  I got a Paragon Home Artist one.  It's quite a bit more than $300 but I wanted the biggest kiln that I could at 120 volts.  I got the Home Artist one because a lot of glass artists on a glassing forum recommended it as the best they've used. 

The only concern about getting one for $300 is that you will really limit your use with it.  Your firing chamber size will be pretty tiny.  But maybe that's all you want to start out with. 

I looked at getting a kiln the same way I do with most things in my life..."Go big or go home"!     I know how I get with crafting...I want to do it all and with investing the cha-ching in a kiln I knew I wanted one that would keep me happy for a long time.  Well, as much as I love the one I got already...I sure wish I could've gotten even a bigger one!   

Best word of advice:  Get one with a digital controller.  As a newbie you'll make your learning curve a little less steep than using one without!

Advice about PMC:  With any kiln, get an extra kiln shelf.  PMC will stain/discolor the shelf so you'll want one that is dedicated for just PMC.

Welcome to the world of warm glass!  You'll love it!

[batgirl]

Thank you! These are all really helpful tips! Sadly, I have a shortage of money and space (I live in an apartment - a famous quote from my little neighbor kid: "It's weird that you only have half a house, but you have such a big dog"! LOL!). BUT, you have got me looking at the Paragon Firefly kiln. It's a little more than I want to spend, but it looks possibly doable, and looks like it is versatile enough for what I need. Do you have any experience with a firefly? (Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?)

[batgirl]

crafty gurll, it would be awesome to have room for bottles, but given my space/money constraints I am mostly concerned with being able to do a variety of jewelry-related projects. At some point if I end up being really into it and get a house and more cha-ching, I may want a big kiln, but for now I want to be able to try some different things without getting something too big and/or expensive.

[crafty gurll]

crafty gurll, it would be awesome to have room for bottles, but given my space/money constraints I am mostly concerned with being able to do a variety of jewelry-related projects. At some point if I end up being really into it and get a house and more cha-ching, I may want a big kiln, but for now I want to be able to try some different things without getting something too big and/or expensive.

Honestly it is little...fits in my garage!   

[batgirl]

 !!

[crafty gurll]

I will recommend a Paragon, easy to program, east to run. 

[batgirl]

I am really leaning toward the firefly so far. Now to figure out where to get the money!

[crafty gurll]

I am really leaning toward the firefly so far. Now to figure out where to get the money!

Craftsters will find a way!

[batgirl]

So true!