A Compact Color Pot Melter for Glassblowers
If you're a glassblower who works with multiple colors, you know the dance. You can melt one batch of color in your main furnace, but if you want to switch colors mid session, you're either committing the whole furnace to that color or doing a lot of cleanup. The Jen-Ken AF3P Crucible 11 is built specifically to solve that problem. It's a compact crucible kiln designed to melt small batches of cullet so you can have multiple color pots available at the same time. Different colors, different sessions, no furnace commitment.
It's also perfect for roll-up work. If you're doing roll-ups but don't need a full furnace worth of glass, the Crucible 11 gives you exactly the right amount in a much smaller, more affordable, more efficient package.
Inside, you've got an 11" x 9" chamber with 0.55 cubic feet of capacity. Plenty of room for working size crucibles. The kiln heats up to 2300°F to melt the cullet, drops to 1800°F to squeeze, and works at 2050°F to 2100°F for gathers. Max working temperature is 2150°F.
At only 65 pounds, this is the most portable crucible kiln in our catalog. Park it next to your main furnace as a color pot satellite, take it to demos, or set it up as a complete small studio on its own.
Heads up: NEMA 10-20 plug (240V)
This kiln uses a NEMA 10-20 plug, which is an older 240V outlet type that's less common in modern installs. Most studios will need an electrician to verify their outlet or install one. Give us a call before you order and we'll help you confirm what your setup needs.
Important: cullet only, not for making batch glass
Like all our crucible kilns, the Crucible 11 is designed to melt cullet (pre-made glass). Making glass from raw batch materials releases caustic fumes that crystalize and quickly deteriorate the thermocouple and kiln brick. If you need to make batch glass, you'll need a dedicated furnace.
Coils are a wear item, not warranted
Coils in crucible kilns typically last 3 to 6 months of regular working use because of the high sustained temperatures. They're considered a consumable and aren't covered under warranty. Plan for periodic replacement as part of your operating costs.
Included with every order
A kiln shelf, posts, kiln wash, the AF3P digital controller, a base brick (or optional stand), 3 crucibles to get you started with multiple color pots, a fiber blanket, and free shipping to the US Lower 48.
Who Is This Kiln For?
The Crucible 11 is built for a specific kind of glass artist. Here's how to tell if that's you.
✓ Glassblowers who work with multiple colors
Run this kiln as a color pot satellite next to your main furnace. Melt smaller batches of accent colors without committing your full furnace to them.
✓ Roll-up artists
If you do roll-up work and don't need a full furnace worth of glass, the Crucible 11 gives you exactly the right amount in a much smaller, more efficient package.
✓ Traveling artists and demo workers
At 65 pounds, the Crucible 11 is light enough to take to demos, workshops, and pop up events. Set up your color work anywhere.
✓ Established hot shops adding a color pot station
If you've got a working furnace and want to add color flexibility without expanding your full furnace setup, this is the easiest way to do it.
The Crucible 11 ships standard with the Orton AutoFire 3 Key controller. For more programming flexibility on your melt and hold schedules, upgrade at checkout to the AutoFire 12 Key, the touchscreen AutoFire Slide, or the TAP Smart Controller with Wi Fi. The TAP's remote control can be a real workflow improvement if you're holding glass for hours between sessions.