"Isn't it expensive to run a kiln?" is the number-one worry that keeps people firing at a communal studio instead of buying their own. The reality is almost always cheaper than people expect. Here's the actual math so you can calculate your own cost per firing.
Four numbers give you the cost of any firing:
kW rating × firing hours × electricity rate ($/kWh) × duty cycle = cost per firing
That last number trips people up. The elements don't run at full power the whole firing; they cycle on and off to hold the ramp, so on average they're only drawing power about 50–65% of the time.
| Kiln / firing | Rough cost |
|---|---|
| Small 120V kiln, short glass firing | Around $1–$3 |
| Mid-size, cone 04 bisque (~10 hr) | Roughly $8–$12 |
| Full-size 11.5 kW, cone 6 glaze (~12 hr) | About $16 at the U.S. average rate |
Rates vary widely by state, from around $0.10/kWh in the cheapest states to over $0.30 in Hawaii and parts of New England, so plug in your own number. Many modern controllers will even calculate the cost for you if you enter your rate.
The biggest waste is firing a half-empty kiln. Wait for a full load and your cost per piece can drop by half, since the pieces themselves become thermal mass that helps hold heat.
Good insulation pays for itself over years of firings. Tell me your work and your power situation and I'll help you pick an efficient kiln. Spencer — (801) 839-5882.
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