Kiln firing cost calculator
Enter your kiln's power rating (or volts and amps from the nameplate), the length of the firing schedule, an average duty cycle and your electricity price to see the energy and cost per firing and per piece.
How to use this calculator
An electric kiln's energy use is its power multiplied by how long the elements are actually switched on. The calculator takes the power from the nameplate, either in kilowatts or as volts × amps ÷ 1,000 (a 240 V kiln drawing 15 A is 3.6 kW), multiplies it by the length of the firing schedule and by the duty cycle, the average share of time the controller keeps the elements on, and then by your price per kilowatt-hour.
The duty cycle is the uncertain part. During a fast ramp the elements may be on almost all the time; during a hold at temperature the controller switches them on and off to keep it steady. Many small glass firings average somewhere in the middle, but the only way to know for your kiln is to measure: read the meter before and after a firing, or use a plug-in or clamp energy meter. Enter what you measure as the duty cycle and the calculator becomes exact for that schedule. The last row shows the worst case with the elements on the whole time.
Divide the cost per firing by the number of pieces in the load to price it into each piece. Fusing and slumping a dish usually takes two firings, so add both schedules. Electricity prices vary a lot by country, supplier and time of day; use the rate on your bill.
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Questions about this calculator
How much does it cost to run a glass kiln?
Multiply the kiln's kW by the hours the elements are on and your price per kWh. A 1.8 kW kiln on for 4 hours at $0.17 per kWh uses 7.2 kWh and costs about $1.22.
Does cooling cost electricity?
Not if the kiln is switched off and cools naturally. Controlled cooling or annealing holds do use power, so include them in the schedule length.