A Trusted Home Studio Glass Kiln Since the 1970s
The Jen-Ken AFG 18-E has been a fixture in home glass studios for fifty years, and for good reason. It's the right size for most home fusing and slumping work, runs on a standard NEMA 6-30 dryer-style outlet that you probably already have, and delivers the kind of reliable, even firings you need to actually enjoy your time at the bench instead of fighting your kiln.
The 18" wide x 11" deep chamber fits a 15" round shelf or pieces up to about 10.5" square. That's plenty of room for jewelry, pendants, small plates, coasters, small dishes, drop-out vessels, and most beginner-to-intermediate fusing and slumping projects. If you're working on platters or sink-sized pieces, you'll want to look at the 28-E series — but for everything else, the 18-E is the kiln most home glass artists actually need.
Top and side firing is the key feature here. The top elements deliver radiant heat straight down onto the glass for clean fusing and slumping, while side coils bring the chamber up to temperature evenly so you don't get cold corners. Max temperature is 1700°F, which covers full fuse, tack fuse, slumping, draping, and annealing.
Plugs into a 6-30 outlet, not a standard wall plug
This kiln runs on a 240V / 20 amp NEMA 6-30 outlet — the same style outlet many electric dryers and welders use. You likely have one in a garage, basement, or laundry area already. If not, an electrician can install one in a few hours. Give us a call if you're not sure what you have and we'll help you figure it out.
Who Is This Kiln For?
The 18-E is built for a specific kind of glass artist. Here's how to tell if that's you.
✓ Home glass artists doing fusing and slumping
If you've taken a fusing class, you're ready to set up at home, and you want a kiln that's been the de facto choice for home studios for decades, this is the one. The size, the price point, and the electrical requirements are all dialed in for home use.
✓ Jewelers and small-piece glass artists
The 15" round shelf is the right size for pendants, earrings, cabochons, and other small fused glass pieces. You can lay out a whole production batch on a single shelf and fire it in one go.
✓ Beginners ready for a real kiln, not a tabletop
If you've outgrown a small 120V tabletop fuser and want a proper 240V studio kiln without committing to a massive footprint, the 18-E is the natural step up.
✓ Teachers running small workshops or private lessons
Big enough to fire a small class's pieces in a single load, small enough to fit in a home teaching space. Reliable enough that you can trust it to perform predictably for students who are just learning.
Included with every order
A heavy duty stand sized for this kiln, the full operator manual, the Orton AF3P 3-button controller standard (upgrades available), a 2 year limited warranty through Jen-Ken on the kiln and controller, and free freight shipping to the US Lower 48.
You'll pick your digital controller at checkout. The standard Orton AF3P AutoFire Express 3-Key stores up to 6 eight-step custom programs and handles most home fusing and slumping work without fuss. The Orton AutoFire 12-Key adds 4 fully custom programs and a fuller keypad if you want more flexibility with your schedules. The TAP Smart Controller with Wi-Fi is the top of the line, letting you start, monitor, and adjust firings from your phone or tablet with virtually unlimited program storage — a nice luxury for longer slumps where you'd otherwise be tied to the kiln.
Recommended Add-Ons
Solid State Relay (SSR) Upgrade
Hands down the best investment you can make. The SSR replaces the standard mechanical relay, giving you faster power cycling, tighter temperature control, longer element life, and lower electrical costs. Especially valuable on glass work, where small temperature swings at the wrong moment can affect your fuse.
Furniture Kit
Includes one 15" round shelf, an assortment of shelf posts, and kiln wash. Recommended for use with the 18-E. Note: shelves may have minor surface imperfections like scratches, discoloration, or rough edges. Order it with the kiln to save on freight.
Quartz Viewing Window
Optional add-on that lets you watch your slumps and drops happen in real time without opening the lid and disrupting the firing. Especially useful for drop-out vessels, drape molds, and any project where timing matters.
Orton Vent Master Downdraft Vent System
Vents fumes outside through a duct or window, which is safer for you and better for the kiln. Improves airflow and temperature uniformity, helps colors develop accurately, and extends element life. Worth it for any home studio, especially one in an attached garage or basement.
Stand with Caster Wheels
The standard stand is stationary. Adding caster wheels makes moving the kiln around a one-person job, which matters in a home studio where you might need to tuck it away between sessions. Detach any vent system before moving.
Power Interrupt Switch / Automatic Lid Shutoff
Cuts power to the heating elements when the lid is opened and restores it when closed. Recommended if you'll be peeking or opening the kiln during firing, and a nice safety feature in any household with kids or pets nearby.
Key Features
- Max temperature 1700°F, perfect for fusing, slumping, draping, and annealing
- 18" wide x 11" deep chamber with 1.61 cubic feet of capacity, right-sized for home studios
- Top and side firing, with top elements for radiant heat directly onto the glass and side coils for even chamber temperature
- 15" round shelf capacity or pieces up to about 10.5" square
- 240V / 20 amp NEMA 6-30 plug, 4,800 watts — easy to set up in most home studios
- Trusted design since the 1970s with decades of artist feedback baked in
- Comes standard with Orton AF3P 3-button controller, with upgrades available to AutoFire 12-Key, AutoFire Slide, or TAP Smart
- Optional SSR upgrade for tighter temperature control and longer element life
- Optional quartz viewing window for monitoring slumps without opening the lid
- Free stand and manual included with every order
- 2 year limited warranty from Jen-Ken on kiln and controller, plus free freight shipping to the US Lower 48
Specifications
| Model | Jen-Ken AFG 18-E |
| Kiln Type | Glass (Fusing / Slumping) |
| Inside Dimensions | 18" W x 11" H |
| Volume | 1.61 cu ft |
| Max Working Capacity | 15" round shelf or up to 10.5" square pieces |
| Max Temperature | 1700°F |
| Voltage | 240V |
| Amps | 20 |
| Watts | 4,800 |
| Plug Type | NEMA 6-30 |
| Product Weight | 110 lbs |
| Shipping Weight | 150 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 Year Limited (Jen-Ken) |
Setting up your first home glass studio? Let's help you get it right.
We'll talk through your electrical, your space, the work you want to make, and which controller fits your workflow. The 18-E is a great kiln but only if it's the right one for what you're doing.
📞 (801) 839-5882Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM MST