KNOWLEDGEBASE & FAQS

1. Your kiln should be in a covered, enclosed space.
2. Even if you live in a dry location, dew will form on the kiln if it is located outside.
3. A basement or garage is usually a good location.
4. Preferably, the floor should be concrete.
5. There must be at least 12" (preferably 18") from the walls of the kiln to any walls of the room.
6. Keep all flammables away from the kiln.
7. The room should be vented with either good natural ventilation or a forced ventilation fan. See this for why ventilation is essential.
8. See our great installation checklist and description of various important considerations you need to make before you buy a kiln.

Guidelines for putting a kiln outside

You shouldn't keep your kiln anywhere that you wouldn't keep a $5000 computer. You may be able to get away with it in Arizona, but I would not try it in Maryland. Here's a list of reasons it should not be kept outdoors:
 

1. The weather is unpredictable and impossible to stay 100% out of unless you have a fully enclosed space. Blowing snow and rain can get under almost any overhang. High winds could easily blow debris or patio furniture that damages your kiln.
2. You would have an increased fire risk because the wind could blow something flammable against your hot kiln. It's not just the 10 hours of firing that are an issue; it's also the 12-16 hours of cooling. Can you sleep well knowing there is a 2000-degree kiln on your patio that could cause a fire if a stick blows up to it?
3. Rain, snow, high humidity, fog, morning dew, etc- any form of moisture- can make a mess of the controller. Even if it doesn't cause permanent damage, it can cause the controller to malfunction until it dries out.
4. Moisture will drastically increase the corrosion rate of all the metal parts on the kiln, especially electrical connections. This will drive up your maintenance costs, result in more misfirings, and reduce the overall lifespan of the kiln.
5. If the bricks get wet, you'll need to dry them out before firing, which wastes electricity and your time. Repeated wetting will reduce the lifespan of the bricks.
6. Critters and insects can be a real problem with an outdoor kiln. At the very least, your control box will get a lot of spiderwebs, but you could end up with rodents chewing on or even nesting in the kiln. I've seen several mouse nests inside kilns. I'd hate to see what a raccoon can do to a kiln.

Overall, keeping it in a simple shed will likely cost you less in time and money. Plus, if you needed to fire in frigid temps, you could heat the shed. For me, the peace of mind that comes with keeping it protected would be more than worth the cost of the shed. Kilns aren't cheap, so spending a little to protect it makes sense.