Best Kiln Shelves and Furniture for Pottery Making

Kiln shelves and furniture are essential components in the pottery-making process, playing a crucial role in supporting ceramic pieces during firing. Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional potter, selecting the right kiln shelves and furniture can greatly influence the quality of your finished work, the efficiency of your firings, and the longevity of your kiln. This article explores the best kiln shelves and furniture available on the market, what to consider when choosing them, and tips for maximizing their use.

What Are Kiln Shelves and Furniture?

Before diving into specific products, it’s important to understand what kiln shelves and furniture are.

• Kiln shelves are flat platforms made from refractory materials that withstand high temperatures inside a kiln. They provide a stable surface on which to place pottery pieces during firing.
• Kiln furniture refers to all supporting structures inside the kiln used to hold shelves or pottery. This includes posts, stilts, setters, and other accessories that help stack shelves at varying heights or protect specific areas during firing.

Together, kiln shelves and furniture optimize space inside the kiln chamber while ensuring even heat distribution around ceramic items.

Why Are Quality Kiln Shelves and Furniture Important?

Pottery firing subjects materials to extremely high temperatures—often between 1,800°F (982°C) and 2,400°F (1,316°C). Poor-quality shelves and furniture may crack, warp, or break under these conditions. Additionally:

• Durability: High-quality kiln shelves maintain integrity over multiple firings.
• Thermal Stability: Proper shelves prevent thermal shock or uneven heating that can damage pottery.
• Space Efficiency: Good furniture allows stacking shelves securely without risk of collapse.
• Cleanliness: Shelves with smooth surfaces prevent glaze drips from sticking permanently or contaminating other pieces.

Investing in reliable kiln shelves and furniture reduces downtime due to replacements and helps produce consistently excellent ceramic work.

Materials Used for Kiln Shelves

Kiln shelves are generally made from refractory materials designed to endure thermal stress:

1. Cordierite

Cordierite is one of the most popular materials for kiln shelves. It offers excellent thermal shock resistance, meaning it can withstand rapid temperature changes without cracking. Cordierite is also lightweight compared to other materials.

2. Mullite

Mullite shelves boast superb heat resistance and strength. They are less prone to warping but may be heavier than cordierite. Mullite is prized for high-temperature firings such as porcelain or stoneware.

3. Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide kiln shelves are known for outstanding thermal conductivity and durability at very high temperatures. Though more expensive, they offer enhanced longevity for professional studios firing frequently at cone 10 or higher.

4. Firebrick

Some potters use firebrick shelves due to their affordability; however, firebrick is heavier and more prone to chipping or cracking under thermal stress than engineered kiln shelves.

Types of Kiln Furniture

Kiln furniture includes various components designed to support shelves and pottery pieces safely:

1. Posts

Posts lift kiln shelves off lower surfaces, creating multiple layers inside the kiln for efficient stacking. Made from similar refractory material as shelves, posts come in different heights to customize spacing.

2. Stilts

Stilts elevate individual pottery pieces off the shelf surface to avoid sticking while glazing. They typically have pointed tips that leave small marks easily removed after firing.

3. Setters

Setters hold specific ceramic items such as mugs or plates upright during firing to ensure proper shape retention.

4. Bat Pins

Bat pins secure wooden bats onto kiln shelves for easy handling before firing and prevent movement during loading/unloading.

Top Kiln Shelves for Pottery Making

Here are some highly regarded kiln shelves favored by potters worldwide:

1. Paragon Cordierite Kiln Shelf

Paragon is a leading brand in ceramic equipment manufacturing. Their cordierite kiln shelves offer excellent thermal shock resistance with sizes ranging from small test shelves (6” x 6”) to larger ones (up to 18” x 27”). These shelves feature a smooth surface that resists glaze drips and warping even after many firings.

2. Skutt Mullite Kiln Shelves

Skutt’s mullite kiln shelves provide exceptional strength suitable for high-temperature firings like porcelain or stoneware. Known for minimal warping over time, these thick mullite slabs come in various thicknesses (typically 1” or more) for heavy-duty usage.

3. L & L Silicon Carbide Kiln Shelves

For potters who fire frequently at cone 10+ temperatures, L & L’s silicon carbide shelves offer incredible durability and conductivity that improve heat distribution inside kilns. These premium shelves are an investment but last many years without damage.

4. Orton Firebrick Shelf Sets

Orton offers affordable firebrick shelf kits ideal for beginners or studio setups where budget constraints exist. While heavier than cordierite or mullite counterparts, these bricks provide decent performance when handled carefully.

Best Kiln Furniture Options

Quality furniture complements good shelving by ensuring safe stacking and even heat exposure:

1. Paragon Cordierite Posts

Designed to pair with Paragon’s cordierite shelves, these posts come in various heights from 2” up to 8” or more depending on shelf spacing needs. They resist heat deformation well.

2. Skutt Mullite Posts

Matching Skutt mullite shelves work well with their mullite posts that maintain stable spacing between layers without compromising durability under thermal cycling.

3. Heavy-Duty Silicon Carbide Posts by L & L

Ideal for commercial studios or frequent high-temperature firers requiring maximum stability alongside silicon carbide shelving options.

4. Glaze Stilts by Orton & Skutt

Both brands offer reliable stilts made from alumina or cordierite that keep glazed ware elevated above shelf surfaces minimizing glaze adherence issues during firing.

Tips for Using Kiln Shelves and Furniture

Maximize your investment by following these best practices:

• Season New Shelves: Slowly heat new kiln shelves/furniture during initial firings to drive out residual moisture reducing crack risk.
• Use Shelf Wash: Apply special kiln shelf wash coatings before each firing to protect surfaces from glaze drips.
• Avoid Overloading: Don’t place too many heavy pieces on one shelf as it can cause warping or breaking.
• Space Properly: Use posts of appropriate height so fired ware doesn’t touch upper elements causing defects.
• Store Carefully: Keep spare shelves flat on solid surfaces in dry areas avoiding stacking that stresses edges.
• Inspect Regularly: Check for cracks/chips post-firing; replace damaged items promptly preventing further breakage.

Conclusion

Investing in quality kiln shelves and furniture tailored specifically for your pottery style dramatically enhances your firing success rate while protecting your investment in ceramics production equipment. Materials like cordierite provide excellent versatility for most firing ranges, while mullite and silicon carbide cater to specialized high-temperature needs with superior durability.

Brands such as Paragon, Skutt, L & L Ceramics, and Orton consistently provide trusted options among potters worldwide whether you are crafting functional stoneware mugs or delicate porcelain sculptures.

Choosing durable kiln shelving combined with appropriate posts, stilts, setters, and pins optimizes space utilization inside your kiln allowing multiple layers per firing cycle without risking ware damage due to instability or uneven heating.

By understanding material characteristics alongside correct handling techniques such as seasoning new shelving sets and using protective shelf washes regularly—you will enjoy smoother firings producing beautiful pottery pieces time after time.

Enhance your pottery making with premium kiln furniture selections adapted perfectly for your studio needs ensuring every piece reaches its full potential from raw clay through final fired beauty.