Different types of kilns have different features and characteristics depending on their application. Commercial kilns, studio kilns, and at home kilns can vary based on size, power rating, loading mechanism, and more.
But one thing they all have in common is that TAP Kiln Controllers provide the most advanced, precise, and easy-to-use kiln control method – but we’ll get into that later!
First, we’ll be providing summaries of what defines commercial kilns, studio kilns, and at home kilns, as well as describing the general differences between these types of kilns.
What Is a Commercial Kiln?
A commercial kiln, also referred to as an industrial kiln, is a kiln or oven that is used in the production of commercial goods. Typically, commercial kilns are used to fire a large quantity of objects simultaneously for the production of commercial goods or the processing of materials.
Commercial kilns are used for a wide variety of manufacturing and industrial processes, including:
- Ceramic Objects
- Glass Products
- Construction and Building Materials
- Metal Processing and Manufacturing
- Food Manufacturing
- Waste Management
Size
Compared to studio kilns or at home kilns, commercial kilns are often significantly larger – sometimes taking up the length of entire warehouses. Typically, commercial kilns are capable of firing hundreds of wares simultaneously or in rapid succession.
Power
Many of the large, industrial-sized commercial kilns run on natural gas, since it’s more energy efficient. However, commercial kilns can be electric as well, in which case they typically have higher power requirements than studio kilns or at home kilns due to their size. Amperage varies between 30 amps and 50 amps, and commercial kilns are typically wired for 240, 208, 380, or 400 volts.
Installation
Due to their power requirements, commercial kilns are often wired directly to a dedicated circuit. Installation almost always requires the involvement of professional electricians and sometimes entire construction crews, depending on the size of the kiln.
Loading Mechanism
While commercial kilns may be front-loading or top loading, often these kilns are used for firing ware in bulk or in rapid succession and may use conveyor belts or “cars,” which are loaded and then progress through the kiln. Commercial kilns are also more likely to use automated loading and unloading mechanisms for the kiln.
ICS Controllers
Commercial kiln controllers are often referred to as ICS controllers. ICS stands for industrial control system and refers to control methods for a wide array of industrial processes, including commercial kilns, ovens, and furnaces.
In addition to ease-of-use and precision, TAP Kiln Controllers have significant benefits over other commercial kiln controllers, including:
- PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) control algorithms to ensure maximum accuracy between temperature input and output.
- The ability to create, store, edit and automatically execute an infinite number of firing profiles with an infinite number of steps.
- The ability to remotely monitor commercial kilns and edit and execute firing processes through the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app.
- Advanced diagnostics and preventative maintenance alerts to ensure peak performance for industrial thermal processes.
- High quality components for maximum precision and durability.
- Wi-Fi capability to seamlessly integrate TAP Controllers into a distributed control system.
Understanding Studio Kilns
Studio kilns are usually shared among multiple artists in a studio setting. Studio kilns can have a wide variety of features, but there are unique needs for a studio setting that we’ll be covering more in-depth below.
Size
Studio kilns are typically smaller than commercial kilns, but larger than the average at home kilns. Ranging from medium to large, studio kilns for ceramic are typically capable of firing multiple wares simultaneously. Studio kilns for glass and heat treat are more likely to be smaller. That’s because firing schedules for glass are extremely specific, and heat treat schedules are short and require precision for the cooling process, which typically occurs outside of the oven. Additionally, neither glasswork nor heat treatment allow for stacking wares the way ceramic does.
Power
Depending on their size, studio kilns can range from 120V to 240V and range in amperage from 13 amps to 80 amps.
Installation
Installation for studio kilns can either be extremely plug-and-play or a little more involved depending on the power of the kiln and the electrical configuration of the studio space. 240V kilns will require the installation of a special outlet, and a kiln exceeding 48 amps will need to be wired directly into the power supply.
Additionally, installation for studio kilns will also need to be in line with any building codes and regulations.
Loading Mechanism
Studio kilns can either be front-loading or top loading.
Studio Kiln Controllers
While studio kilns can use manual controllers, most studio kilns today use programmable automatic kiln controllers to make the studio more accessible to a wider array of artists. However, most automatic controllers have some shortcomings in a studio setting:
- Automatic kiln controllers by most manufacturers have steep learning curves and complicated controls, making them harder to use for newer artists.
- Even today, most kiln controllers do not offer real-time remote temperature monitoring and remote kiln control, so artists have to constantly monitor the status of their kiln (which can cause scheduling conflicts in a studio setting if artists aren’t mindful).
- Most kiln controllers can only store a limited number of schedules at a given time, meaning artists have to recreate their schedules each time they use the kiln.
TAP Kiln Controllers by SDS Industries solves these problems with intuitive, easy-to-use touchscreen controls, the ability to save an unlimited number of firing schedules with an unlimited number of steps, and remote kiln control and temperature monitoring from TAP Kiln Control Mobile so that studio artists can track the status of their projects in real-time.
An Overview of At Home Kilns
At home kilns, also known as hobby kilns, are personal kilns that artists use at home. Usually, at home kilns are designed to only fire a single ware, or a small quantity of wares, at a time.
The biggest difference between different at home kilns depends on the type of medium they’re designed to fire:
- Glass kilns only need a temperature range of 1100°F – 1800°F and come in a wide range of chamber shapes and sizes.
- Heat treating ovens or knifemaking kilns require a temperature range of 1500°F – 2200°F and may have smaller or elongated chambers.
- Ceramic kilns have the highest temperature range, between 1800°F – 2400°F, and are more likely to be cylindrical, since ceramic wares can be stacked and fired.
Size
While at home kilns can vary in size, they tend to be smaller than studio kilns. After all, most people have limited space in their house or garage (you should never store your kiln outside!).
Power
Like studio kilns, at home kilns range from 120V to 240V and range in amperage from 13 amps to 80 amps.
Installation
Just like with studio kilns, installation of an at home kiln largely depends on its power rating. If the kiln is 120V and under 48 amps, then you can easily install an at home kiln without any electrical work. However, 240V kilns will require the installation of a special outlet, and a kiln exceeding 48 amps will need to be wired directly into the power supply.
Additionally, ceramic kilns will also need proper ventilation installed if you’re firing glazes to protect you and your household against harmful fumes.
Loading Mechanism
At home kilns can either be front-loading or top loading.
At Home Kiln Controllers
At home kilns can be controlled with a wide variety of kiln controllers, ranging from manual controllers with kiln sitters and unwieldy key-based controllers to the intuitive touchscreen control and advanced features of TAP Kiln Controllers.
No matter what type of kiln controller you use, conversion kits and standalone kiln controllers make it easy to upgrade your existing at home kiln controller.
Upgrade Your Kiln with TAP by SDS Industries
Whether you’re using a commercial kiln, studio kiln, or at home kiln, TAP Kiln Controllers by SDS Industries provide the most easy-to-use, advanced kiln controllers on the market.
The TAP and TAP II Controllers by SDS Industries provides advanced, precise, and easy-to-use multi-setpoint controls for kilns and offers responsive controls and an intuitive graphical UI on a large, easy-to-read touchscreen and allows you to specify ramp rates and hold times for each step for maximum convenience.
The soon-to-be-released TAP&Go is a single setpoint controller designed specifically for heat treat. With simplified controls and a more affordable price point, TAP&Go provides the fundamental functionality you need!
All of the TAP Controllers are compatible with any relay-controlled kiln or oven and integrate with the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app to maximize your productivity while always keeping you informed on the status of your project.
We invite you to explore our selection of programmable kiln controllers, standalones, and conversion kits on our online store. You can also purchase TAP Digital Controllers or TAP Controlled Kilns and Heat Treat Ovens through one of the following distributors:
- Evenheat
- Hot Shot Oven & Kiln
- Mobile Glassblowing Studios, LLC
- Jen-Ken Kilns
- Kiln Frog
- Sheffield Pottery
- Delphi Glass
