The place to be for anyone working with ceramics
The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is the place to be for anyone working with ceramics. You'll have access to our the extensive kiln facilities, including electric, gas, raku, sawdust, soda and wood kilns.
Kiln sizes and costs
Kiln |
Size |
Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | 0.59 cu. ft. Test Kiln | Call for details |
| Electric | 6.5 cu. ft. bisque | $72.39 per firing |
| Electric | 10 cu. ft. bisque | $75.27 per firing |
| Electric | 6.5 cu. ft. glaze to cone 6 | $87.34 per firing |
| Electric | 10 cu. ft. glaze to cone 6 | $89.93 per firing |
| Electric | 6.5 cu. ft. cone 9 | $104.70 per firing |
| Raku | $271.12 for 3 hours and $53.61 every additional hour after that. | |
| Blaauw | 29 cu. ft. | Call for details |
| Sawdust | $81.40 per firing | |
| Soda | 35 cu. ft. | Call for details |
| Wood | 53 cu. ft. | Call for details |
| Top Hat | Call for details |
The following additional costs may apply to kiln rentals, depending on the firing type.
- Technical supervision/support: $45.75 per hour
- Insurance charges (electric/gas only): $1.65 per hour - when you're not participating in the loading or firing
- Damage Deposit: $500.00
- GST: 5%
Note: For renting all other kilns, where you're participating in the loading and firing, including raku, sawdust, soda and wood kilns, you'll need private insurance.
Kiln types
Electric kilns
We have 6 top-loading electric kilns of different sizes. We also have a 0.17 cu. m (0.59 cu. ft.) electric test kiln for testing glazes and clays. All kilns have programmable controllers available for bisque, low/medium or high-temperature glazing or crystalline firing.
Raku kiln
We have 2 raku kilns, fuelled by natural gas and monitored with a digital pyrometer. The shell opens and closes with an easy one-handed movement of the counterweight. The sandbox and metal containers are available for reduction. You must bring your combustible materials.
Blaauw gas kiln
Imported from the Netherlands, it offers quick and accurate firing. An automatic gas kiln, it’s suitable for any temperature range, oxidation or reduction. It’s also great for large scale work since it can be loaded onto a moveable cart.
Sawdust kiln
This brick box uses sawdust as fuel. You must supply your own sawdust that’s free of preservatives, glues or other contaminants.
Soda kiln
Fired by natural gas, this kiln was designed by Ted Neal. The soda firing takes approximately 8 hours with an overnight preheat. The soda is dissolved in water and sprayed in the kiln at the end of the firing.
Wood kiln
This kiln was designed by John Neely and rebuilt by Ted Neal in 2014. The wood firing takes approximately 36 hours.
Have questions?
Call Jay MacLennan, our ceramic technician, at 604-205-3042 or email [email protected].