Choose how to load your kiln

Top-Loading

1. Top loading kilns are the most common kilns in use in the United States, although front-loading kilns are traditionally more common in many other countries.
2. The reason is mostly cost and ease of shipping and installation.
3. The reduced insulation found on most top-loading kilns does lead to a hotter kiln case.
4. There are some advantages for batch processes like ceramics, however, because this does lead to faster cool-down which will improve turn-around time for the firing cycle.

Front-Loading

1. See our Hercules front-loading kilns and Easy-Load front-loading kilns.
2. Many people prefer front-loading kilns for ease of loading and better insulation.
3. Front-loading kilns are more expensive than top-loading kilns. The
   reason is that they take much more time to build and require more
   expensive materials (i.e. there is a heavy welded case). When they are
   made cheaply they can be very problematic and hard to repair. If you are going to buy a front-loading kiln do more homework.
4. Front-loading kilns, no mater how well-built, are also more expensive and difficult to repair than a sectional kiln.

Bell-Lift

1. Bell-lift kilns offer a third alternative.
2. The entire kiln section lifts up.
3. Loading is from all four sides.
4. You can slightly lift up the kiln for faster cooling.

Ergo-Lift Kilns

1. Ergo-Lift kilns offer a a variation on the Bell-Lift Kilns.
2. One or two kiln sections remain fixed on the bottom while the top two sections lift up.
3. Loading is from all four sides.
4. You can slightly lift up the kiln for faster cooling.

Pull-Apart Sectional Sculpture Kilns

1. One inexpensive way to load a large ceramic sculpture is to “load” the kiln around the object.
2. This is accomplished by using a sectional kiln and plugging in the kiln sections to a remote control panel.
3. An example of this is L&L Kilns’ Pull-Apart Kilns.

Car-Bottom & Shuttle Kilns

1. When doing large commercial volume work and sometimes for loading large pieces a Car Bottom or Shuttle Kiln is used.
2. These tend to be large and customized.
3. A Car Bottom Kiln has a movable bottom that is on wheels of some
   kind. the wheels may be either railroad type wheels, inverted “V” shaped
   casters or regular  casters.
4. A Shuttle Kiln is the opposite. The kiln itself moves over a fixed
   bottom. Typically the wheels on such a kiln are inverted “V” casters or
   railroad wheels.
5. Call 800-750-8350 to discuss your needs - we are making shuttle and car type kilns not shown on the web site.

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