Maybe you’re shopping for a new kiln or maybe you’re exploring options for upgrading your current kiln controller. Either way, you’ll find that there are a lot of different temperature controller manufacturers that make controllers for kilns, furnaces and heat treat ovens.
A few of the temperature control unit manufacturers you’re likely to come across include Orton, Bartlett, Skutt,* and of course TAP by SDS Industries.
*Skutt-branded controllers are technically private label Bartlett controllers. However, their touchscreen controller has a proprietary interface, so we’re including them in this comparison.
Comparison Criteria for Temperature Controller Manufacturers
Choosing the right temperature controller for your kiln is a major consideration! After all, your kiln controller provides the primary interface through which you use your kiln.
So, how do you decide which kiln temperature controller manufacturer is right for you?
Different temperature control unit manufacturers have different feature sets and design philosophies. For the sake of this comparison, we’ll be analyzing temperature controller manufacturers by the following criteria:
- Accessibility & Ease-of-Use: How easy is it to get started using the electric kiln controller and to access all of its features?
- Input Method & User Interface: Does the controller use keys (analog buttons) or touchscreen controls to program the kiln? How easy is menu navigation? Is the display easy to read and visually pleasing?
- Reliability & Support: Does the temperature control unit manufacturer support its products with warranties and customer support? How reliable are their controllers?
- Precision: Do these controllers allow for precise execution of your kiln firing schedules?
- Schedule Creation & Management: How easy is it to create, edit, and execute kiln firing schedules? Does the controller limit how many schedules and segments for schedules you can save to your controller?
- WiFi & Mobile App Integration: Will you be able to remotely manage your kiln firings from your smartphone or tablet?
- Kiln Compatibility: Does the temperature controller manufacturer make controllers that are compatible with your kiln or oven build?
- Price & Availability: What is the cost range of their product line? How available are their controllers?
TAP Kiln Controllers
When it comes to temperature controller manufacturers, SDS Industries were the new kids on the block when they launched the original TAP Kiln Controller in 2015, which revolutionized the kiln controller industry.
At the time other temperature control unit manufacturers were still using analog buttons, tiny displays, and complicated menus. SDS Industries introduced responsive touchscreen controls, attractive graphical UIs, intuitive, easy-to-use menus, and mobile app integration to the temperature control industry.
The TAP Kiln Control Ecosystem includes a variety of controller options, ranging from $170-$282.50 for controllers that are almost exclusively controlled via the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app to $549-$799 for the most advanced, easy-to-use touchscreen controllers (which also include mobile app integration!). SDS Industries manufactures a wide variety of conversion kits and standalone controllers, allowing for easy replacement of existing temperature controllers as well as compatibility with any relay-controlled kiln or oven.
TAP Comparison Summary
- Price: $170-$799
- Input Methods: Resistive or Capacitive Touchscreen and TAP Kiln Control Mobile app
- Reliability: The mainline TAP Controllers include an industry-best 3-year warranty. SDS Industries is known for their high-quality components, controller reliability, customer service, and supporting their controllers with updates to controller software and their mobile app to add new features and improve functionality.
- Ease-of-Use: TAP Kiln Controllers are the most user friendly programmable digital kiln controllers on the market today, with touchscreen controls, easy-to-read displays, and intuitive, logical menus.
- Schedule Management: TAP Kiln Controllers allow users to easily create, edit, save, and name an unlimited number of firing schedules with an unlimited number of steps.
- Remote Control: With both free and premium options, the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app allows users to obtain basic to full control and monitoring of their kiln from their smart phone or tablet (including remote start and the ability to create and adjust firing schedules on the fly). The TAP Kiln Control Mobile app has significantly higher ratings on the App Store than mobile apps by any other temperature controller manufacturer.
TAP Kiln Controllers are renowned for the ease-of-use of their graphical, touchscreen user interface.
Orton Kiln Controllers
Founded in Westerville, Ohio in 1896, Orton was originally a manufacturer of pyrometric cones. Today, Orton manufactures a variety of kiln products, including the Autofire Temperature Controllers.
Orton Autofire Controllers are available in a variety of configurations. Their prices range from $600 for a 3-key controller, $300-$975 for a 12-key controller, and $400-$1,125 for their touchscreen controller. Orton makes temperature controllers that are compatible with a wide variety of electric kilns, including standalone controllers for upgrading manual kilns.
Orton Comparison Summary
- Price: $300-$1,175
- Input Methods: 3-key, 12-key, or touchscreen
- Reliability: Orton has a solid reputation. Their controllers are backed by a 2-year warranty.
- Ease-of-Use: Their 3-key and 12-key controllers have a steep learning curve for kiln operators, requiring multiple button presses to create a firing schedule. Their touchscreen controller’s menu navigation requires multiple screens to program each step of a firing schedule and isn’t as streamlined as other options.
- Schedule Management: Orton’s flagship controller allows users to save a maximum of 35 firing schedules with a maximum of 20 segments per schedule.
- Remote Control: Orton has a detachable handheld controller option. They have kiln monitoring software for Windows (that doesn’t include schedule creation, editing, or execution) but no mobile app support and no true option for remote kiln control.
The user interface on the Orton Autofire Slide requires multiple windows for editing each step of a firing schedule, making it less intuitive than other touchscreen temperature controllers.
Bartlett Temperature Controllers
Bartlett Instrument Company, founded in 1946 in Burlington, Iowa is a temperature control unit manufacturer whose controllers are the entry-level option for many kilns on the market.
Their controller lineup includes 3-key and 12-key controllers, as well as touchscreen options. Their controllers range in price from $265-$440. At this time, Bartlett doesn’t have any options for standalone controllers.
Bartlett Comparison Summary
- Price: $265-$440
- Input Methods: 3-key, 12-key, or touchscreen
- Reliability: Bartlett has a solid reputation among temperature controller manufacturers. Their controllers include a 1-year warranty for failure from material or workmanship. Repairs are available from Bartlett for $150.
- Ease-of-Use: Bartlett’s 3-key and 24-key controller options require multiple button presses to change settings or edit schedules. Displays for these controllers are small, making menu navigation a challenge for inexperienced kiln operators. Bartlett’s touchscreen controllers are fairly intuitive; however, the display is much smaller than other touchscreens which can diminish the user experience.
- Schedule Management: Bartlett’s top-of-the-line temperature controller allows for users to create 30 custom firing schedules of up to 32 steps. The Bartlett V6-CF Controller (their 24-key controller) allows users to create up to 6 firing schedules with 8 steps perf program.
- Remote Control: The Bartlett Genesis 2.0 has the KilnAid App which allows users to monitor kiln firings but doesn’t provide options for remote control. You can read reviews of the Android app here and iOS app here. The Bartlett V6-CF Controller, as well as Bartlett’s other key-based controllers doesn’t have mobile app integration.
The small screen on the Bartlett Genesis Controllers makes them difficult to read and don’t allow for full title displays for kiln firing schedules.
Skutt Temperature Controllers
Founded in Olympia, Washington in 1953, Skutt manufactures kilns. Technically, they aren’t a temperature controller manufacturer; but they do sell proprietary controllers manufactured by Bartlett, which is why they’re included in this comparison.
Skutt offers a 24-key controller, as well as a touchscreen option. Their prices range from $395 to $650 for key-based controllers and touchscreen controllers, respectively. Skutt also provides a 24-key standalone to upgrade manual kilns for $765.
Skutt Comparison Summary
- Price: $395-$650
- Input Methods: 24-key or touchscreen
- Reliability: Skutt has a very good reputation in the kiln industry. Their controller is backed by a 2-year warranty.
- Ease-of-Use: Skutt’s 24-key controller presents users with the same challenges and inconveniences as key-based controllers by other temperature controller manufacturers. Their proprietary touchscreen controller is slightly more intuitive than Bartlett’s offering but has small text and a lot of menu layers.
- Schedule Management: Skutt’s temperature controllers allow users to create 30 custom schedules, in addition to guided presets.
- Remote Control: Skutt supports their controller with the KilnLink App, which allows for remote viewing and diagnostics but doesn’t allow users any remote control or schedule creation features. You can read user reviews of their mobile Android app here and iOS app here.
The Skutt Touchscreen Controller has more complicated menus than other touchscreen kiln controller options.
Paragon Controllers and L&L Temperature Controllers
When shopping for temperature controllers, you may come across Paragon Controllers and L&L Controllers. However, neither of these companies are technically temperature controller manufacturers. Instead, they sell rebranded controllers manufactured by Bartlett and Orton.
Explore Temperature 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 temperature 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
Temperature Controller Manufacturers FAQ
What kiln manufacturers provide TAP as a default controller option?
TAP is fortunate to partner with some amazing kiln and oven manufacturers that share our vision of modernizing the kiln firing experience.
In the past, we’ve written about kiln manufacturers and heat treat oven manufacturers that provide TAP as a default option. These include brands like Evenheat, Hotshot Oven & Kiln, Jen-Ken Kilns, and Mobile Glassblowing Studios, LLC.
However, we’ve recently made an exciting new addition: Now, for the first time ever, TAP II and TAP II Pro are default temperature controller options on Paragon Kilns!
That means now you can purchase one of the world’s most reputable kilns with the world’s most advanced kiln controller. We’re beyond excited to make this partnership official! For rollout, Paragon is offering TAP with their Clamshell Series Kilns – but we’ll be expanding this integration to additional kiln and oven models.
Why is TAP Kiln Control Mobile rated so much higher than other kiln control apps?
When we released TAP Kiln Control Mobile in 2016, it marked a new era in kiln control. For the first time ever, artists could monitor and control their kiln remotely from their smartphone or tablet.
Of course, other temperature control unit manufacturers scrambled to release their own mobile apps. However, TAP Kiln Control Mobile has 4.9 stars on the App Store and 4.1 stars on Google Play. Our closest competitor? 2.5 stars on the App Store and 2.3 stars on Google Play.
So, why the huge difference? Below are a couple reasons why TAP Kiln Control Mobile continues to outclass the competition:
- True End-to-End Remote Control: TAP Kiln Control Mobile continues to be the only kiln control app that provides Remote Start and true end-to-end remote kiln control with a premium subscription.
- More Free Value: While our premium subscription unlocks fully remote control, our free plan offers more features and value than the paid plans of our competitors. Remote monitoring, advanced diagnostics, managing kiln settings, push notifications, preventative maintenance alerts, and our kiln cost tracking feature are all completely free with TAP Kiln Control Mobile.
- Continuous Improvements: Out of the gate, TAP Kiln Control Mobile had some wrinkles we still had to iron out. But what separates us from our competitors is that we never stopped innovating, improving, and developing new features for our kiln control app.
We encourage you to give TAP Kiln Control Mobile a try for unprecedented flexibility, convenience, and peace of mind when it comes to managing your kiln firing!
What types of kilns and ovens can you power with TAP?
TAP Kiln Controllers are compatible with virtually any kiln or heat treat oven with an electric relay.
Whether you’re making art or managing industrial processes, TAP is up to the task! Not only that, but TAP provides more precision and ease of use than other kiln controller manufacturers.
You can use TAP to upgrade your kiln control method for:
- At home kilns
- Industrial ovens
- Glass kilns
- Knife kilns
- Pottery kilns
- Heat treat ovens
- Studio kilns
- Lab ovens
- Liquid containers
- And more!
