Kiln Furniture

Kiln furniture is the heat-resistant shelving and support system that turns the empty chamber of a kiln into a stacked, multi-layer firing space. Without it, you can only fire a single layer of work across the kiln floor. With a properly specified set of shelves, props and supports, you can fill the chamber safely from base to lid — making every firing more economical and far more productive.

At Kiln Crafts we supply complete kiln furniture kits matched to the most popular pottery kilns sold in the UK, including sets for Nabertherm, Kilns & Furnaces, Kilncare and Potterycrafts top-loading and front-loading models. Each kit is specified for a particular chamber size, so you get shelves, props and batt wash that actually fit your kiln rather than a generic box of parts.

What's in a kiln furniture kit?

A typical kiln furniture set brings together the core components you need to build a stable, evenly spaced firing pack:

• Kiln shelves (batts) — flat refractory plates that carry your work. Most pottery kilns take cordierite or silicon-carbide shelves sized to the chamber. They form the floors of each layer in the stack.
• Props and posts — the columns that sit between shelves to set the gap between layers. Kits include a range of prop heights so you can adjust spacing to suit tall vases one firing and shallow plates the next.
• Batt wash (shelf primer) — a protective coating painted onto the top of each shelf. It stops runny glaze from fusing pots to the batt and greatly extends shelf life.
• Stilts and supports — small refractory aids used for glaze firing so glazed pieces can be raised clear of the shelf.

How to choose the right kiln furniture

The single most important factor is your kiln. Shelves must fit the chamber with enough clearance for air and elements, and props must suit the shelf type and the weight they'll carry. That's why our kits are organised by kiln make and model — choose the set that matches your kiln and the dimensions are handled for you.

Match the set to your kiln size

A small test or hobby kiln needs only a few half-shelves and short props, while a large front-loading studio kiln of 200 litres or more needs full shelves and a tall stack of props. Buying a kit sized for your chamber avoids the common mistake of shelves that don't seat properly or props that waste vertical space.

Top-loading vs front-loading kilns

Top-loading kilns are usually round or octagonal, so they take semicircular or shaped shelves that nest into the chamber. Front-loading kilns are typically square or rectangular and take full or half rectangular shelves. Our top-loading and front-loading kiln furniture sets are shaped accordingly, so you're never trying to fit a square shelf into a round kiln.

Replacing worn furniture

Shelves crack, props chip and batt wash flakes over time — it's normal wear from repeated heating and cooling. If your existing furniture is past its best, a fresh kit restores a safe, level firing pack. Re-coating shelves with batt wash before each glaze firing is the simplest way to make them last longer.

Looking after your kiln furniture

A little routine care keeps a set going for years. Always apply batt wash to the upper face of shelves before glaze firing, and never to the underside. Let shelves cool fully before lifting them, store them flat and dry, and scrape off any glaze runs promptly so they don't build up. Load props directly above one another from layer to layer so the weight passes straight down the stack rather than flexing a shelf.

Whether you're kitting out a brand-new kiln or replacing a tired set, our kiln furniture kits give you the shelves, props and supports to fire more in every load — specified to fit and ready to stack.

Kiln furniture FAQs

What is kiln furniture?

Kiln furniture is the set of heat-resistant shelves, props and supports used to stack and space pottery inside a kiln. It lets you fire several layers of work in a single firing instead of just one layer on the kiln floor.

What's included in a kiln furniture kit?

A kit typically includes kiln shelves (batts) sized to your chamber, a range of props or posts to set the spacing between layers, and batt wash to protect the shelves. Sets are matched to specific kiln models so the components fit correctly.

How do I know which kiln furniture set I need?

Choose the set that matches your kiln's make, model and chamber size. Our kits are listed by kiln model — for example Nabertherm, Kilns & Furnaces, Kilncare and Potterycrafts sets — so the shelf shape, shelf size and prop heights are already specified for your kiln.

Why do I need to use batt wash?

Batt wash is a protective primer painted onto the top of each kiln shelf. It stops glaze that runs during firing from bonding your pots to the shelf, which protects both the work and the shelf and makes furniture last much longer.

Can I use the same shelves for bisque and glaze firing?

Yes. The same shelves are used for both, but you should keep batt wash on the upper surface for glaze firings to guard against glaze runs. Bisque firing carries less risk because the work is unglazed.