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Hobby Ceramicraft Kilns for ceramics, pottery, glass and silver clay
Paragon Kilns
Paragon Kilns are famous in the United States for dependability. Founded in 1948, Paragon has become Americas leading manufacturer of electric ceramic kilns, indeed their Tnf 82 model is now the worlds top selling kiln. Hobby Ceramicraft are now proud to bring these rugged kilns into the U.K., specially manufactured with our badging and to full European standards.
With nearly a decade and a half of using, teaching, and selling kilns into the specialized ceramic market, Hobby Ceramicraft has selected the very best of the Paragon range, from small simple kilns for the hobbyist, through the highly controllable workhorses of the busy studio, to the highly sophisticated 10.4 cubic foot Goliath to service the needs of the largest studio, and the large volume and fast turnover Contemporary Studios (Ceramic Cafe“s).
All chosen with reliability, economical running costs, long kiln life, and easy controllability foremost in mind.
In recent years we have had an increasing demand for Glass and silver clay kilns. As we ship in such large volumes, Hobby Ceramicraft can add a few of these to our containers, resulting in a very, very, competitive price. Two of Paragons glass kilns are almost identical to ones already in our range; so spares are no problem at all.
An important decision
There are many kilns on the market, and choosing the one which is going to be best suited for your long term needs is not always as easy as it first seems. What appears as the cheapest buy can often prove to be very expensive indeed when you end up firing it always at peak rates because the controller requires your constant attendance, instead of quietly conserving your pennies, safely and reliably, in the wee small hours.
Cheap kilns which have long since rusted away when your old Hobby Ceramicraft friend is still soldiering steadily on, may not have perhaps been so "cheap" after all!
Neither is buying the biggest and most expensive kiln necessarily a wise thing. Our long term experience is here to help you choose what is best for you. The massive front loading kiln your school or evening class used would cost the hobbyist a fortune to buy, an even bigger one to run, and firing would appear to be taking for ever. Modern kilns are astoundingly clever, easy to use, and above all; efficient. We use kilns, we know how much you depend on your kiln, how much it earns for you, and what chaos a dead kiln causes when spares and repairs are weeks away!
These notes are to help you make a more informed choice of a really suitable kiln which will give you long and reliable service. When eventually you do need spares, Hobby Ceramicraft holds good stocks. Many manufacturers make spares when you order them; ours are here, ready made , often despatched within minutes of your call!
Our policy is not to keep customers in the dark about what goes on behind that control panel, but to hold service and maintenance seminars to show you how to get the best from it and how to do simple repairs.
Why so many kilns? How do you choose when they all look the same?
Lets start by asking you some questions...
What size do you need?
Lets pick off the easy one to start with; if you are opening a Ceramic Cafe“, you need the large kiln shelf space of the Goliath. Customers work MUST be fired quickly if you are to retain the excitement, and anything smaller just will not keep up with the workload. Add the simple yet highly sophisticated fully computerised controls, the reliability, easy servicing when it becomes necessary, and low firing costs of this kiln, and you have a great profit making machine just waiting to earn money for you. We are appalled that the industry standard in most ceramic cafe“s is "your piece will be ready in 5-6 days". There is no reason why you cannot normally offer a stunning next day service, (just subject to power failures etc.), just take our training course and learn how. You must have sufficient kiln size though or you run into trouble. For everyone else, the larger the kiln, generally the lower the cost per cubic foot, both in initial cost and in firing cost. If you think your business or your hobby will grow, it makes sense to buy a large enough kiln to meet future needs, rather than have another expense too soon when you must buy again. On the other hand, itdoes make sense to be able to fill your kiln quickly and fire frequently, rather than have to fire part loads or wait ages to see your pieces finished when you eventually get a kiln full. If you are a hobbyist happily painting beautiful plates or small items on earthenware, or glazed china, then the aptly named Home Artist may bes just the choice for you. Easily tucked away in a cupboard, but extend the handle and it will follow you round on wheels like a shopping trolley! Are all kilns the same?
Basically yes, but the construction and materials used fall into two main groups, ceramic fibre and steel, and brick and stainless steel. Ceramic fibre kilns are light and very economical to fire, but are not so durable so need reasonable care in handling. Those with steel lids soon rust. The all brick lids and stainless steel kilns are much more durable, suffer no sagging or lid rusting. Some makes have brick which occasionally sheds brick particles onto your ware, ruining the glaze, whilst Paragon use a special patented coating which inhibits particle shedding. Smaller size quality brick built kilns are more expensive than small fibre, but the large kilns are extremely competitively priced. For clean reliable firings, plus a long kiln life, then Hobby Ceramicraft kilns take a lot of beating. Crafted from insulating refractory firebrick, the fitting of which is so precise that the seams are barely visible. Elements are seated in dropped, recessed firebrick, (rather than fully exposed in a simple groove), for a long trouble free element life. If you are comparing kilns before you buy, just look down into the open kiln . Do you see rows of elements staring up at you, just waiting for contaminats to fall onto them (causing them to fail), or are they barely visible, tucked in behind a protecting ridge? Bricks just butted together, or really tightly and accurately fitted? one will work loose in use, the other remain firm for years. The switch / control boxes are large and generously louvred for cool operation. Instead of a dozen screws to undo for servicing, most of our kilns just have two; then the whole front hinges down for access! Wiring and electrical components are carefully engineered to withstand hot dusty environments. Many controllers are fitted high on the wall above the hot kiln, often difficult to adjust reaching over a hot kiln. Ours are fitted low down, built into the front of the kiln where they are easy to see and use. With all glazes, and most especially the modern non toxic ones, ventilation is important. Our kilns have a Prop-r-vent fall away mounted on the kiln front for first stage venting, and for the ultimate ventilation solution, kilns can be supplied with, or easily retrofitted with, the Kiln Vent System. Yes, this optional extra does add to the cost, but gives the ultimate ventilation, continuously taking a tiny amount of air from deep within the kiln throughout the firing, diluting it with room air, and expelling it right outside the building! This is not a decision you necessarily have to take now, you can very simply add the Kiln Vent later if you find you need it. All European Models have a lid switch which cuts off the power when the lid is raised past the vent position. With our kilns the reversible brick base is protected by a steel base plate.
Lets pick off the easy one to start with; if you are opening a Ceramic Cafe“, you need the large kiln shelf space of the Goliath. Customers work MUST be fired quickly if you are to retain the excitement, and anything smaller just will not keep up with the workload. Add the simple yet highly sophisticated fully computerised controls, the reliability, easy servicing when it becomes necessary, and low firing costs of this kiln, and you have a great profit making machine just waiting to earn money for you. We are appalled that the industry standard in most ceramic cafe“s is "your piece will be ready in 5-6 days". There is no reason why you cannot normally offer a stunning next day service, (just subject to power failures etc.), just take our training course and learn how. You must have sufficient kiln size though or you run into trouble. For everyone else, the larger the kiln, generally the lower the cost per cubic foot, both in initial cost and in firing cost. If you think your business or your hobby will grow, it makes sense to buy a large enough kiln to meet future needs, rather than have another expense too soon when you must buy again. On the other hand, itdoes make sense to be able to fill your kiln quickly and fire frequently, rather than have to fire part loads or wait ages to see your pieces finished when you eventually get a kiln full. If you are a hobbyist happily painting beautiful plates or small items on earthenware, or glazed china, then the aptly named Home Artist may bes just the choice for you. Easily tucked away in a cupboard, but extend the handle and it will follow you round on wheels like a shopping trolley! Are all kilns the same?
Basically yes, but the construction and materials used fall into two main groups, ceramic fibre and steel, and brick and stainless steel. Ceramic fibre kilns are light and very economical to fire, but are not so durable so need reasonable care in handling. Those with steel lids soon rust. The all brick lids and stainless steel kilns are much more durable, suffer no sagging or lid rusting. Some makes have brick which occasionally sheds brick particles onto your ware, ruining the glaze, whilst Paragon use a special patented coating which inhibits particle shedding. Smaller size quality brick built kilns are more expensive than small fibre, but the large kilns are extremely competitively priced. For clean reliable firings, plus a long kiln life, then Hobby Ceramicraft kilns take a lot of beating. Crafted from insulating refractory firebrick, the fitting of which is so precise that the seams are barely visible. Elements are seated in dropped, recessed firebrick, (rather than fully exposed in a simple groove), for a long trouble free element life. If you are comparing kilns before you buy, just look down into the open kiln . Do you see rows of elements staring up at you, just waiting for contaminats to fall onto them (causing them to fail), or are they barely visible, tucked in behind a protecting ridge? Bricks just butted together, or really tightly and accurately fitted? one will work loose in use, the other remain firm for years. The switch / control boxes are large and generously louvred for cool operation. Instead of a dozen screws to undo for servicing, most of our kilns just have two; then the whole front hinges down for access! Wiring and electrical components are carefully engineered to withstand hot dusty environments. Many controllers are fitted high on the wall above the hot kiln, often difficult to adjust reaching over a hot kiln. Ours are fitted low down, built into the front of the kiln where they are easy to see and use. With all glazes, and most especially the modern non toxic ones, ventilation is important. Our kilns have a Prop-r-vent fall away mounted on the kiln front for first stage venting, and for the ultimate ventilation solution, kilns can be supplied with, or easily retrofitted with, the Kiln Vent System. Yes, this optional extra does add to the cost, but gives the ultimate ventilation, continuously taking a tiny amount of air from deep within the kiln throughout the firing, diluting it with room air, and expelling it right outside the building! This is not a decision you necessarily have to take now, you can very simply add the Kiln Vent later if you find you need it. All European Models have a lid switch which cuts off the power when the lid is raised past the vent position. With our kilns the reversible brick base is protected by a steel base plate.
Which Firing System? Which Kiln?
On most manufacturers websites you will see a large array of complicated looking "electronic controllers", with considerable variations in price.
Bewildered by this, many quite naturally plump for the cheapest, all you need is something to "control" the firing for you, so why pay more?
Well there is a big difference between a simple electronic temperature controller, and a proper computerised "Cone firing " one, as Explained later.
Lets start small and work up...
For the small kiln, very suitable for small home hobby ceramics, for jewellery and doll making,we have the Home Artist, The Firesprite and the Firegoblin. These are ideal starter kilns, but are also very useful test kilns in any studio. The Firesprite and Firegoblin kilns are beautifully built brick kilns, the Home Artist has a modern ceramic fibre muffle element. With is integral wheels and extending handle, it can be wheeled away just like a shopping trolley when finished and popped in a cupboard or the boot of a car! Being smaller kilns, these 3 costs little to fire, plug into a 13amp socket, (Firegoblin need 20 amp connection), and are the quickest to cool. All are fitted with Sentry Express 3 key computer controllers. This incredible small controller offers you a choice of two ways of firing your kiln, Cone-Fire and Ramp Mode. Simply put, this means you can just clock on the Cone number that you wish to fire to, and this clever little computer does all the rest for you; or you can enter your own simple or indeed complex series of up to 8 ramps, ( stages). You can set a delayed starting time if you wish, hold for a soaking period, check what the programme is going to do, read what the temperature currently is, (in F. or C.), even reports error messages if something is wrong. As with all our kilns, the controllers shut the kiln down at the end of the programme, but please never leave a kiln unattended near the end, or at least shortly after the scheduled end of firing, even though it is designed to shut off by itself. If even the security systems of an atomic power station can fail, then it makes sense to set your kiln so that you will be around at, or soon after, it is due to cut off. In the very extremely unlikely event that it does not cut off, you can then still turn it off.
This good sense statement applies to any kiln, any make, any where!!!!!!! All our larger kilns are fitted with the amazing dtc800 or Sentry 2 12 key computerized controllers. These marvels of science bring an incredible degree of control into the hands of even the novice. The controller comes with a thermocouple which is hermetically sealed inside a protective metal sheath. So sensitive that even the warmth of a finger tip will show on the readout, yet after firing for 1,000 hours the temperature drift is only a few degrees, and the 800 even has the means to fine tune your settings by up to 25 degrees. All you see is a control pad on the front of the kiln. Here you can simply punch in the cone number to which you want to fire; do you want a fast medium or slow firing, when do you want it to start, (now or any time up to 99 hours ahead). It is that simple! On the other hand, you can accurately set up your own series of "ramps" within each firing, altering the speed of heating or cooling for each segment of the firing, and even storing these programmes for future use. The capability is there to set up the most complex of firing programmes with which the most advanced enthusiast will be more than satisfied. Most people most times just set "fire to cone 04" or whatever, and start, and the controller does it all, starting slowly, gradually heating at a faster rate, then slowing down so that it accurately hits the top temperature spot on without overshooting. Our computerised controllers are in fact taking into account the "heat work" which is happening inside the kiln, and which is affected by the mass of the load, the outside temperature, the current voltage, and are adjusting the firing to give exactly the amount of energy to give the required "heat work", or cone setting, that you have asked for. This is vastly more accurate and reliable than using with a simple "Electronic" controller , and is very important for the reliable and constantly repeatable, trouble free firings which are essential in a successful ceramic business. Many people try to get porcelain and stoneware firing from a 1.4 cubic foot kiln, mainly because they are a low cost size. The problem is that 1260 - 1300 degrees C is barely attainable on a 13 amp circuit at this volume, and once the elements wear a bit, the rate of heating drops and the kiln is losing heat faster than 13 amps can poke it in. The Fireluxe is by far the better kiln for the keen porcelain worker, the home hobby ceramist, the home based pottery party painters, the potter producing medium size sculptures, models or pots. Yes, it costs more to buy, and it needs a 30 amp connection, BUT, the running costs are excellent, the element life superb, the 12 key controller does away with the need for a cone per firing and many boxes of cones on the shelf for different firings. Fitting is no more difficult than fitting a cooker or a shower connection. The Fusion 8 and Fusion 10 are almost identical to the Goblin and Fireluxe kilns, but have an addition element in the lid. It is perfectly possible to work with glass in any of our ceramic kilns, but if you are seriously into glass you will want the better heating you get with the additional overhead element. The Studio one is the worlds top selling kiln. The workhorse of most studios, this kiln takes a healthy load, fires fast, and cools in 5 hours or so. Its 22" height takes two large Christmas trees, (with right shelf), and currently you can cram about £90 of greenware to bisque firing into it (if you are lucky!) or lots of small or medium party plates if you are a cafe or party studio. This size gives a cooling time which makes 3 firings in 2 days the norm. The keen hobbyist ceramist, finished goods worker, busier pottery party person, or the home potter, will also find the 17½" x 22" chamber takes large items, yet does not take long to fill with several smaller ones. Many cafe“s add a Studio one to take the overflow pieces or the rushed job. Firing costs are excellent. The Studio Two is the perfect 2nd kiln for a growing studio. It takes a big load, the 24" diameter is fine for big plaques, plates and other items, as well as eating up a seminars firing. The larger size makes cooling time around 7 hours. Imortantly, it will often squeeze through a doorway which prohibits the use of the larger Goliath. The Goliath is our largest kiln, yet still it is fine on a single phase supply. Absolutely essential for the needs of the Contemporary Studio, where it eats up the multitude of medium and large flat items which are so popular with their customers. Firing is simple enough for semi trained staff to set up, yet with capability for anything the expert might wish it to do. Often the choice of the growing Hobby Ceramic studio for their second kiln, but we would recommend the Studio 2 for that role in most cases as the 28" Goliath does take 10+ hours to cool, making it strictly a one firing a day kiln in practice. Only the very successful studio, or the bulk bisque supplier will use this size efficiently, (although we will always take your money if you insist!) All these kilns fitted with the 12 key controllers are simply a dream to use. The technology is a patent of the worlds leading Edwart Orton jr. Ceramic Foundation. Whether for daily cone 06 firings in a cafe“, or the most complex crystalline glaze using your own 8 segments, the kiln romps through it.
For the small kiln, very suitable for small home hobby ceramics, for jewellery and doll making,we have the Home Artist, The Firesprite and the Firegoblin. These are ideal starter kilns, but are also very useful test kilns in any studio. The Firesprite and Firegoblin kilns are beautifully built brick kilns, the Home Artist has a modern ceramic fibre muffle element. With is integral wheels and extending handle, it can be wheeled away just like a shopping trolley when finished and popped in a cupboard or the boot of a car! Being smaller kilns, these 3 costs little to fire, plug into a 13amp socket, (Firegoblin need 20 amp connection), and are the quickest to cool. All are fitted with Sentry Express 3 key computer controllers. This incredible small controller offers you a choice of two ways of firing your kiln, Cone-Fire and Ramp Mode. Simply put, this means you can just clock on the Cone number that you wish to fire to, and this clever little computer does all the rest for you; or you can enter your own simple or indeed complex series of up to 8 ramps, ( stages). You can set a delayed starting time if you wish, hold for a soaking period, check what the programme is going to do, read what the temperature currently is, (in F. or C.), even reports error messages if something is wrong. As with all our kilns, the controllers shut the kiln down at the end of the programme, but please never leave a kiln unattended near the end, or at least shortly after the scheduled end of firing, even though it is designed to shut off by itself. If even the security systems of an atomic power station can fail, then it makes sense to set your kiln so that you will be around at, or soon after, it is due to cut off. In the very extremely unlikely event that it does not cut off, you can then still turn it off.
This good sense statement applies to any kiln, any make, any where!!!!!!! All our larger kilns are fitted with the amazing dtc800 or Sentry 2 12 key computerized controllers. These marvels of science bring an incredible degree of control into the hands of even the novice. The controller comes with a thermocouple which is hermetically sealed inside a protective metal sheath. So sensitive that even the warmth of a finger tip will show on the readout, yet after firing for 1,000 hours the temperature drift is only a few degrees, and the 800 even has the means to fine tune your settings by up to 25 degrees. All you see is a control pad on the front of the kiln. Here you can simply punch in the cone number to which you want to fire; do you want a fast medium or slow firing, when do you want it to start, (now or any time up to 99 hours ahead). It is that simple! On the other hand, you can accurately set up your own series of "ramps" within each firing, altering the speed of heating or cooling for each segment of the firing, and even storing these programmes for future use. The capability is there to set up the most complex of firing programmes with which the most advanced enthusiast will be more than satisfied. Most people most times just set "fire to cone 04" or whatever, and start, and the controller does it all, starting slowly, gradually heating at a faster rate, then slowing down so that it accurately hits the top temperature spot on without overshooting. Our computerised controllers are in fact taking into account the "heat work" which is happening inside the kiln, and which is affected by the mass of the load, the outside temperature, the current voltage, and are adjusting the firing to give exactly the amount of energy to give the required "heat work", or cone setting, that you have asked for. This is vastly more accurate and reliable than using with a simple "Electronic" controller , and is very important for the reliable and constantly repeatable, trouble free firings which are essential in a successful ceramic business. Many people try to get porcelain and stoneware firing from a 1.4 cubic foot kiln, mainly because they are a low cost size. The problem is that 1260 - 1300 degrees C is barely attainable on a 13 amp circuit at this volume, and once the elements wear a bit, the rate of heating drops and the kiln is losing heat faster than 13 amps can poke it in. The Fireluxe is by far the better kiln for the keen porcelain worker, the home hobby ceramist, the home based pottery party painters, the potter producing medium size sculptures, models or pots. Yes, it costs more to buy, and it needs a 30 amp connection, BUT, the running costs are excellent, the element life superb, the 12 key controller does away with the need for a cone per firing and many boxes of cones on the shelf for different firings. Fitting is no more difficult than fitting a cooker or a shower connection. The Fusion 8 and Fusion 10 are almost identical to the Goblin and Fireluxe kilns, but have an addition element in the lid. It is perfectly possible to work with glass in any of our ceramic kilns, but if you are seriously into glass you will want the better heating you get with the additional overhead element. The Studio one is the worlds top selling kiln. The workhorse of most studios, this kiln takes a healthy load, fires fast, and cools in 5 hours or so. Its 22" height takes two large Christmas trees, (with right shelf), and currently you can cram about £90 of greenware to bisque firing into it (if you are lucky!) or lots of small or medium party plates if you are a cafe or party studio. This size gives a cooling time which makes 3 firings in 2 days the norm. The keen hobbyist ceramist, finished goods worker, busier pottery party person, or the home potter, will also find the 17½" x 22" chamber takes large items, yet does not take long to fill with several smaller ones. Many cafe“s add a Studio one to take the overflow pieces or the rushed job. Firing costs are excellent. The Studio Two is the perfect 2nd kiln for a growing studio. It takes a big load, the 24" diameter is fine for big plaques, plates and other items, as well as eating up a seminars firing. The larger size makes cooling time around 7 hours. Imortantly, it will often squeeze through a doorway which prohibits the use of the larger Goliath. The Goliath is our largest kiln, yet still it is fine on a single phase supply. Absolutely essential for the needs of the Contemporary Studio, where it eats up the multitude of medium and large flat items which are so popular with their customers. Firing is simple enough for semi trained staff to set up, yet with capability for anything the expert might wish it to do. Often the choice of the growing Hobby Ceramic studio for their second kiln, but we would recommend the Studio 2 for that role in most cases as the 28" Goliath does take 10+ hours to cool, making it strictly a one firing a day kiln in practice. Only the very successful studio, or the bulk bisque supplier will use this size efficiently, (although we will always take your money if you insist!) All these kilns fitted with the 12 key controllers are simply a dream to use. The technology is a patent of the worlds leading Edwart Orton jr. Ceramic Foundation. Whether for daily cone 06 firings in a cafe“, or the most complex crystalline glaze using your own 8 segments, the kiln romps through it.