Draft outline: this page is a stub for the writer and isn't published.

How much does it cost to run a kiln?

By the Lindenmaker team

Specs and sources awaiting check

Kiln firing cost calculator

Worked example

For an example 2.5 kW kiln, elements on for the whole firing, 12 pieces a firing and an example tariff of 25p per kWh (use the figure on your bill):

  • Bisque firing (8 hours): 20 kWh, £5.00, or £0.42 a piece.
  • Glaze firing (10 hours): 25 kWh, £6.25, or £0.52 a piece.
  • Bisque and glaze together: £0.94 a finished piece.
  • Two of each a month: £22.50 a month.
  • That's the most it could cost, with the elements on throughout. If your kiln's manual gives an average, enter it to bring this down.

Source: HSE, awaiting check; Electrical Safety First, awaiting check

Editor: host page for C2. Gap: only a retailer (The Pottery People) has a firing-cost page; no independent calculator shows the working. Show the sum: power × hours × share of time the elements are on × your tariff.

The short answer

Editor: the formula in words, and that the reader's tariff and the maker's average load decide it. No tariff figure of our own: tariffs are user-entered (Ferncharge prefill only if Ferncharge marks its table verified).

Worked example

Editor: copy C2's worked example, saying the kW and tariff are example inputs.

Bisque and glaze firings

Editor: why the two cost different amounts (longer schedule, higher temperature), from the maker's own schedules. No schedules of our own.

Cutting the cost

Editor: fuller loads, firing less often, the tariff. Running-cost results link Ferncharge's tariff explainer once it exists.

FAQs

Does a bigger kiln cost more to fire?

Editor: per firing usually yes, per piece depends on how full it is. Use C2 and C4 together.

Sources