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Mini Pottery Kiln

Mini pottery kilns — the three smallest kilns we sell that fire real pottery: 16, 30 and 40 litres, all on a 13-amp plug, from £2,405. The Comet 60 below is the step up and needs a 32A circuit.

For every small kiln up to 61 litres, see small pottery kilns. Scroll down for the side-by-side and FAQs.

What is a mini pottery kiln?

A mini pottery kiln is a compact electric kiln small enough for a bench, spare room or shed that still fires real pottery. Ours are 16, 30 and 40 litres, all run from a 13-amp plug, all reach 1,300°C or more, and start at £2,405.

The three smallest kilns we sell, side by side

KilnCapacitySupplyMax tempPriceVerdict
Nabertherm Top 16/R16 L13A plug1,320°C£2,405Smallest
Potterycrafts Mercury 3030 L13A plug1,300°C£2,618Beginner pick
Potterycrafts Aurora 4040 L13A plug1,300°C£2,901Most room on a plug
Potterycrafts Comet 6060 L32A hardwired1,300°C£3,150Step up, not mini

The first three are the mini kilns. The Comet 60 is on this page as the next step up, and it's the odd one out: 60 litres on a 32A circuit an electrician has to install. If you want plug-in and small, it's not your kiln.

What fits inside a mini kiln

The Top 16/R's chamber is 290 mm across and 230 mm high. That's test tiles, small bowls, a few mugs, jewellery and glaze tests, not a tall vase. The Mercury's 30 litres handles the whole stretch where you're still learning. The Aurora's 40 gives you a second layer of shelves, which is when firing stops feeling like rationing.

If you already throw every weekend, start at 30 or 40 rather than 16; you'll fire half as often and a half-empty kiln costs the same to run as a full one.

When a mini kiln is the wrong buy

If all you'll ever fire is earthenware, silver clay or glass, a cheaper tabletop kiln may do the job, and we don't sell those. And if you want to fire a week's work at once, go straight to 45–61 litres; every small kiln we sell, up to 61 litres, is on our small pottery kilns page, and the home pottery kilns guide covers choosing one for a spare room or garage.

All three mini kilns plug into an ordinary 13-amp socket. Give yours one of its own, not an extension lead. Our kiln running-cost calculator shows what a firing costs on your tariff. Want a second opinion? Ring 01202 144142.

Mini kiln questions

What is a mini pottery kiln?

A mini pottery kiln is a compact electric kiln small enough for a bench, spare room or shed that still fires real pottery. Ours are 16, 30 and 40 litres, all run from a 13-amp plug, all reach 1,300°C or more, and start at £2,405.

Can a mini kiln fire stoneware?

All three of ours can. The Nabertherm Top 16/R reaches 1,320°C and the Potterycrafts Mercury 30 and Aurora 40 reach 1,300°C, which covers earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. Many cheaper tabletop kilns are built for jewellery and glass and stop around 1,000–1,150°C, so check the maximum temperature before you buy.

Which mini kiln should a beginner buy?

If you're learning and firing small pieces, the Mercury 30 at £2,618 gives you room to grow without an electrician. If space is tight or you mostly fire tests and jewellery, the Top 16/R at £2,405 is the smallest that still fires stoneware. If you already throw every week, the Aurora 40.

Is the Comet 60 a mini kiln?

No, and we'd rather say so. It sits on this page as the next step up, but it's 60 litres and needs a dedicated 32A circuit installed by an electrician, so it isn't a plug-in. For every small kiln up to 61 litres, see our small pottery kilns page.

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