Kiln Pricing and Energy Consumption
Kilns range in price from small tabletop kilns at around $700 to large capacity kilns used by professional potters at around $15,000. A medium-sized top-loading kiln will cost between $2,000 and $3,000. Used kilns can be found for a few hundred dollars, depending on the age and condition.
- Rates can vary between $0.08 (Washington) and $0.38 (Hawaii) with the USA average being at $0.12/KW/HR for residential and $0.10 for commercial.
- A kiln’s power consumption is largely dependent on its size and design. Smaller kilns that operate on a standard household outlet will typically draw between 1.5 and 1.8 kilowatts, whereas a medium-sized kiln will draw around 5 kW or 8 kW.
Pottery Business and Firing Kilns
You can make a living from pottery but must be prepared to create items that people want to buy. Each firing is different depending on how the kiln is loaded and the age of the elements. The U.S. Energy Information Administration website breaks down the monthly average costs by both region and state.
Firing Kilns Cost and Electricity Usage
- The overall cost of firing a kiln is not dependent on a single factor; an artist’s electrical situation as well as their interests and habits are equally important when determining how much money will be spent.
- To accurately assess electricity usage, have a kilowatt meter installed in the power supply line.
- When firing without a kiln, it may help to pre-dry clay pieces in a kitchen oven set to 190 degrees F.