Can You Use A Glass Kiln For Pottery?
Can You Use The Same Kiln For Pottery And Glass?
You've got a glass kiln and you're feeling inspired to try pottery - let's talk about what's possible and what you need to know.
Let's Talk About Heat
The biggest thing to understand is heat. Think of it like baking - just like you need different temperatures for bread versus cookies, glass and clay need different temperatures too:
- Glass pieces usually fire between 1,500-1,900°F
- Most pottery needs about 2,000°F or higher
- Some low-fire clay might work in your glass kiln, but you'll be limited in what you can make
What Is The Difference Between A Glass Kiln And A Pottery Kiln?
The main differences are in their construction and capabilities:
- Pottery kilns typically have heating elements along the sides, providing even heat distribution for clay pieces
- Glass kilns often feature elements in the lid and sides (and sometimes bottom) for more directional heating control
- Pottery kilns are built to withstand higher temperatures
- Glass kilns typically have more precise temperature control for annealing
Good News: Dual-Media Kilns Exist!
If you're excited about working with both materials, there are kilns designed to do both! These dual-media kilns are really helpful:
- They're built to handle both glass and pottery firing
- They have special lid elements you can adjust
- You can switch between glass and pottery modes
- Great for creatives who don't want to choose between mediums
Dual media kilns come in various shapes, sizes, and max temperatures. Some of our favorites are:
Jen Ken 15/13 Ceram-a-Glass Kiln - a great small sized kiln for tests or smaller loads. Max temp of 2150°F Ceramic Mode
Olympic DM1823HE Dual Media Kiln - our most popular size of kiln, not too big and definitely not to small. Great for weekend warrior type Potters or Glass Artists! Reaching Cone 10: 2350°F
Jen Ken Oval 18 Ceram-a-Glass Kiln - A Large Oval Kiln designed for wide loading, max temp of 2150°F (Need Cone 10, 2350°F? Try the Olympic DM2523HE)
An honorable mention is the smallest kiln that we can make a Dual Media Kiln: The Olympic Kilns 1214HE (with the Dual Media lid element added)
Taking Care of Your Kiln
Your kiln is an investment, so here's what you should know:
- Running a glass kiln at its highest heat puts stress on it
- Using it for higher temperatures often might wear it out faster
- It's harder to get consistent results when pushing temperature limits
Can You Use A Glass Kiln For Ceramics?
While it's possible to use a glass kiln for some ceramic projects, you'll need to carefully consider the limitations. Low-fire ceramics might work, but you won't be able to achieve the higher temperatures needed for stoneware or porcelain.
It's important to check your kiln's maximum temperature rating and compare it to your ceramic project requirements.
What's Right for Your Creative Journey?
If you just want to try out pottery now and then, your glass kiln might work for some projects. But if you're really getting into both crafts, here are your options:
- Get a dual-media kiln that's built for both
- Keep your glass kiln for glass and get a separate pottery kiln
- Start small with some low-fire clay projects to see how it goes
We love helping creatives find the right equipment for their artistic adventures. Whether you're just starting to explore pottery or looking to expand your creative possibilities, we're here to help you figure out the best setup for your needs.
What kind of projects are you dreaming up? Let's make sure you have the right kiln to bring them to life.