If you’re in the market for a new kiln, why not purchase a kiln with the most advanced, easy-to-use kiln controller on the market? When shopping for kilns, the type of kiln controller your kiln comes with will have the single biggest impact on the experience of using your electric kiln.
Why settle for complicated 3-key and 12-key controllers, small screens, and limited space for saved schedules when you could enjoy intuitive touchscreen controls, large easy-to-read full text displays, and the ability to save an unlimited number of firing schedules with an unlimited number of steps? And that’s not even to mention the convenience and peace of mind of being able to monitor and adjust your kiln firing temperatures in real-time with the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app!
Shopping for Kilns: Kiln Manufacturers and Retail Sites That Offer TAP Pre-Installed
If you’re shopping for a new kiln or heat treat oven, the easiest solution would be to purchase a kiln that has a TAP Controller as a pre-installed option. So, we’ll start by giving you the inside scoop on these kilns. However, some kiln manufacturers don’t offer TAP as a default pre-installed option – so we’ll also be giving you tips on how to get TAP on the kiln of your choice from any kiln manufacturer!
Hot Shot Oven & Kiln
Hot Shot Oven & Kiln, based in Wisconsin, builds high-end kiln and heat treat ovens, including options for:
All of their kilns are made in America! Hot Shot Oven & Kiln offers the TAP Controller as a pre-installed option for all of their kilns and ovens, pairing the world’s most advanced programmable controller with awesome features like standard solid state relays and patented Cool to Touch Technology to enhance kiln safety.
You can shop for Hot Shot kilns and heat treat ovens that fit your artistic needs on Amazon, on their website, or through our partners at Kiln Frog.
Evenheat
Evenheat prides themselves on building kilns and ovens that offer unparalleled precision, exceptional performance, and enduring reliability. With a reputation spanning over seven decades, Evenheat is another amazing option if you’re shopping for kilns and want the most advanced, easy-to-use digital kiln controller!
All of Evenheat’s heat treat ovens and kilns are American-made, backed by exceptional customer service, and include quiet solid state relays for maximum reliability. They provide a variety of sizes (including stackable configurations!) to fit the needs of ceramicists, glass artists, bladesmiths and heat treat artists.
Interested in shopping for kilns from Evenheat? Check out Kiln Frog!
Paragon Kilns
Paragon Kilns is one of the industry’s most reputable kiln manufacturers. Founded in 1948 by ceramic enthusiast Frances Darby and her husband, Paragon manufactured one of America’s first electric kilns. Today, Paragon is renowned worldwide with over 200 distribution partners in 17 countries. But all of their kilns are still manufactured with care and expertise right here in the U.S.A. from their 72,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Mesquite, Texas.
Starting in 2025, you now have the option to purchase one of the industry’s most iconic and innovative kiln brands with the industry’s most innovative touchscreen kiln controller – right out the box! You can get TAP II or TAP II Pro on any of Paragon’s Clamshell Series Kilns at no upgrade charge, with more kiln and heat treat oven models on the way!
You can purchase Paragon Kilns with TAP from their website.
Jen-Ken Kilns
Family owned and operated since 1951, Jen-Ken Kilns is another great option when it comes to shopping for kilns that come with a TAP Controller. With options for pottery kilns, ceramic kilns, glass kilns, and knife kilns, Jen-Kens Kilns will pair you with an advisor who will help you find the kiln that’s just right for you!
You can shop for Jen-Ken Kilns right from their online shop. After buying your kiln, Jen-Ken will build your kiln, ship it directly to you, and then walk you through the setup process right over the phone!
Mobile Glassblowing Studios, LLC
Mobile Glassblowing Studios, LLC manufactures affordable, high quality, rugged, and versatile glassblowing equipment. While their glassblowing furnaces and dragon kilns are gas-powered, all of their front loading stackable annealer kilns and large front loading glass annealers have built-in TAP Controllers for the ultimate glass annealing experience.
While glassblowing is a very different process than kiln formed glass art, the precision of TAP and the convenience of mobile kiln control make it the ideal solution for annealers from both disciplines.
Reputable Kiln Retail Sites
While some of the manufacturers we’ve mentioned sell directly through their website or on Amazon, you can also purchase kilns with TAP Kiln Controllers through the following distributors and retail sites:
- Kiln Frog: Kiln Frog is an awesome one-stop-shop for everything you kiln-related – including kilns and heat treat ovens by Hot Shot, Evenheat, Paragon, and Jen-Ken that include TAP!
- Sheffield Pottery: Pottery clay, glazes, and kilns that include TAP! Sheffield Pottery has been one of the best retailers when it comes to ceramics for over 70 years.
- Delphi Glass: Delphi Glass sells super high quality supplies for kiln formed glass and heat treating jewelry – including the kilns you need to fire them!
Shopping for Kilns: What Should I Do If the Kiln I Want Doesn’t Offer TAP?
Unfortunately, there are some extremely reputable, high quality kiln manufacturers that don’t offer the advanced convenience of TAP as a pre-installed option yet. We’re working on changing that!
However, TAP Kiln Controllers are compatible with just about any relay-controlled kilns, and we’re happy to do everything we can to work with the kiln manufacturer of your choice to make sure you get the kiln you want while still being able to enjoy easy-to-use touchscreen controls, the ability to create and save an unlimited number of firing schedules, and the convenience and flexibility of remote kiln control!
If you’re shopping for a new kiln from a brand that doesn’t offer TAP Kiln Controllers as a kiln controller option, we encourage you to reach out to them and ask them about TAP! Then, feel free to email us at info@kilncontrol.com and we’re happy to try to facilitate a 1:1 install for the kiln of your choice.
What Should I Do If I Already Own a Kiln That Doesn’t Have a TAP Controller?
If you already own a kiln that doesn’t have a TAP Controller, then it doesn’t mean you have to purchase a whole new kiln. There are multiple options for integrating TAP into your kiln or oven build – whether you’re building from scratch or looking to upgrade your existing controller!
- Digital Kiln Controllers: You can purchase TAP Kiln Controllers to integrate in DIY kiln or oven builds.
- TAP Conversion Kits: We also offer conversion kits for easily upgrading existing automatic controllers to the convenience and precision of TAP – with no or minimal modification to your kilns.
- TAP Standalone Kiln Controllers: TAP Standalone Kiln Controllers, available in wall mount or tabletop configurations, allow you to seamlessly upgrade manual kilns to TAP.
Explore TAP Kiln Controllers by SDS Industries
The TAP II and TAP II Pro Controllers by SDS Industries provide users the most advanced, precise, and easy-to-use kiln controllers on the market today. With responsive touchscreen controls, an intuitive graphical UI, and integration with the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app, TAP Kiln Controllers can pair with any relay-controlled kiln or oven.
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
- Paragon Kilns
- Mobile Glassblowing Studios, LLC
- Jen-Ken Kilns
- Kiln Frog
- Sheffield Pottery
- Delphi Glass
Shopping for Kilns FAQs
If I’ve never purchased a kiln before, where should I start?
A kiln is a major investment – but one that should last you years or decades to come. If it’s your first time shopping for kilns, we encourage you to do lots of research and spend time thinking about what your needs are – both for now and in the future.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What kind of media will I be firing? Glass art? Bisque and ceramics? Swords and knives? The media you fire will determine what size and max temperature you’ll need for your kiln, as well as the type of kiln controller you need to successfully execute your projects.
- What temperatures will I need to fire to? Firing glass or low fire clays will be achievable on most kilns, while firing Cone 10 porcelain or higher will require a higher powered kiln with a higher max temperature.
- Where will I be housing my kiln? Having the right space for proper kiln installation is a major part of kiln safety. But the size and electric infrastructure of your space also has a major impact on what type of kiln will work for your space. Please note: You should never store your kiln outdoors.
- Am I willing to have a dedicated circuit installed? A 120V kiln can run on your standard household outlet, but you’ll need to get a dedicated circuit installed for a 240V kiln or for one with a higher amperage.
- What type of budget do I have? Kiln costs can vary widely depending on these factors. Plus, you have to account for maintenance costs, firing costs, and supplies. However, it’s less expensive in the long run to save up for a kiln that will fit your needs for years to come than to purchase a kiln that you’ll outgrow in a couple of years.
If it’s your first time shopping for kilns, we recommend trying out Kiln Frog’s interactive kiln finder to find kilns that meet your needs.
Why should I choose TAP over other kiln controller manufacturers?
Compared to other kiln temperature controller manufacturers, TAP provides a more accessible, precise, and flexible kiln firing experience.
These include:
- Intuitive, easy-to-read touchscreen controls so that you can immediately begin using your kiln to its full potential.
- The ability to create, name, save, and execute unlimited firing schedules.
- Remote monitoring and true end-to-end remote kiln control through TAP Kiln Control Mobile.
- Industry-leading 3-year warranties for TAP II and TAP II Pro.
Whether you’re using your kiln for art, manufacturing, or any other application, TAP streamlines kiln firing while providing unparalleled precision, advanced diagnostics, and features to take on even the most complex processes.
When will TAP Kiln Controllers be available as a default controller option on additional kiln brands?
Currently, TAP is available as a default kiln controller option on major brands like Evenheat, Hot Shot, and Paragon. However, we’re in talks with several kiln manufacturers about the possibility of integrating TAP into their kilns and ovens.
To help accelerate adoption, we encourage you to reach out to your kiln manufacturer and let them know that you want TAP!
In the meantime, if you’re shopping for kilns that don’t offer TAP, you can easily upgrade to the industry’s most advanced controller with a TAP Conversion Kit.
