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The Cost Of Firing A Kiln Load

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The cost of electricity is figured in kilowatt-hours (KWh).
A kilowatt-hour is one thousand watts of electricity running for one hour.
That is like ten one hundred watt light bulbs running for one hour, they will consume 1 KWh of electricity.

You can find out what the power company charges for a kilowatt-hour by looking at your electric bill, calling your power company or visiting their website.
The electric rate usually varies depending on the time of year and amount of electricity you use.
In the summer the rates in most areas are higher.
And make sure you add the other costs listed on your electric bill such as power transmission charges and taxes.
In some areas electricity is less expensive during low demand times such as nights and weekends.
Call your power company to find out if this is available where you live.

In order to figure what it costs you to fire your kiln per load, find your kiln’s electrical data plate which is usually located on the side of the switch box.
The data plate lists the watts, amps, and volts.
If watts are not listed, simply multiply amps X volts.

Example

15 amps x 240 volts = 3,600 watts.

Divide the wattage of your kiln by 1000, which gives you the kilowatts, and move the decimal point 3 spaces to the left.

Examples

10,800 watts ÷ 1000 = 10.8

4,800 watts ÷ 1000 = 4.8

800 watts ÷ 1000 = .8

To figure kilowatt hours for your kiln, multiply the kilowatts by the number of hours that all the elements are turned on.

If the heating elements for a 10.8 kilowatt kiln stay on continuously for 5 hours, the kiln would use 10.8 X 5 which equals 54 kilowatt hours.

To find out what it will cost to fire your kiln, multiply the number of kilowatt hours by the amount your power company charges for a kilowatt hour
If they charge .09 per kilowatt hour, multiply 54 by .09 which equals $4.86.

The heating elements do not usually stay on throughout the whole firing cycle.
Now, if your kiln uses infinite control switches or a digital controller, the elements cycle on and off to control the heating rate.
The clicking noise that you hear during the firing is the sound of the switches or relays turning the elements on and off.

The faster or hotter your kiln fires, the longer the elements stay on per hour.
As a rough rule of thumb, figure that the elements stay on half to three quarters of the total firing time.

Example:

A kiln draws 10,800 watts and the firing lasts 5 hours.
You estimate that the elements remain powered during half of the firing.
Below is an example of how to figure the cost.

10,800 watts ÷ 1,000 = 10.8 kilowatts
10.8 x 5 hours = 54 KWh (kilowatt-hours)
54 ÷ 2 = 27 KWh only on half the time during a 5-hour firing
27 x .09 = $2.43 the cost to run the kiln for five hours.

When things go wrong, you don't have to go with them.

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Have you ever come up with a good idea while working with your handmade pottery or ceramics and thought that you would like to share it with others? You have? Well, why not send it to us and we will add it to the tips page for all to see.

Handmade pottery can be a very gratifying hobby that produces fun and satisfying results. For many people it's an enjoyable release that is created by working an inanimate mound of clay into a beautiful work of art that you made through your artistic abilities.

The best way of starting out is to take a few lessons. You will probably waste quite a bit in materials when you first get started. Figuring out how to truly make handmade pottery correctly and shape into what you want it to be can be quite an ordeal. The different tools that a normal shop will have can be fun to try. You will soon see which ones you like to use the most and then when you are ready you will know which ones to buy.

When you get all set up, just enjoy the hobby and have fun at it. Some people get pretty serious and start selling their creations at craft fairs and small stores, but others just like to create items for themselves, relatives, and friends. Whichever kind of handmade pottery you desire to endeavor, enjoy the hobby and have fun doing it.

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