Kiln firing in Vista
Firing for local potters, students, and makers from my home studio in Vista.
Whether you have a few pieces or a full load, I can help figure out the best option based on your materials, the space your work needs, and your timeline.
Ask about a firingBy appointment. Contact me for the location.
You don’t need
to fill a kiln
Most people do not.
Shared firings make it possible to fire a few pieces alongside other compatible work, while full kiln firings are available for larger batches or when timing matters.
Send me a little about what you are making and I will check the materials, space, and current firing schedule before we arrange a drop off.
Simple prices for familiar forms
Common forms have straightforward pricing so you can get a general idea of cost before reaching out.
Larger, taller, hollow, or unusually shaped work may be priced differently depending on the space and handling it requires. I will confirm that with you before firing.
| Piece | Bisque Cone 05 | Glaze Cone 5 | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mug or cupAbout 3 in diameter × 4 in high | $4 | $6 | $9 |
| Cereal bowlUp to 7 in wide × 4 in high | $5 | $8 | $12 |
| Dinner plateUp to 10.75 in wide × 2 in high | $5 | $9 | $13 |
| Medium vaseUp to 6 in wide × 8 in high | $8 | $13 | $20 |
| Tall vaseUp to 6 in wide × 12 in high | $12 | $20 | $30 |
Minimum service total: $25 for one firing, or $40 for both bisque and glaze.
Handles can bring a mug’s loading footprint to 4 or 5 inches. I choose the pricing method that best reflects the space and handling required, with the final quote confirmed at drop off.
Picture your work on a shelf
The kiln holds approximately 7 cubic feet, with a chamber about 23 inches across and 27 inches deep. Working shelves are approximately 21 inches round.
Illustrative arrangements, not scale drawings or guaranteed capacities. Plate diameter, handles and safe clearance can change the count. I confirm the actual layout before firing.
| Form | Per layer | Layers | Total pieces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mugs or cups | 18 | 4 | 72 |
| Cereal bowls | 6 | 5 | 30 |
| Plates | 3 | 7 | 21 |
| Medium vases | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Tall vases | 6 to 7 | 2 | 12 to 14 |
The space your work needs
Full kiln
| Cone 05 bisque | $80 |
| Cone 5 glaze | $140 |
| Cone 6 glaze | $160 |
| Bisque + cone 5 glaze | $220 |
Custom temperatures require a full kiln and advance confirmation.
Sculpture and irregular work
| Cone 05 bisque | $3 / dry lb |
| Cone 5 glaze | $5 / dry lb |
| Both firings | $8 / dry lb |
Large, hollow, wide or unusually shaped pieces may be priced by space instead. Shared service minimums apply.
Full shelf prices by height
Each loaded shelf layer is priced separately, using the actual post setup and clearance above your tallest piece. Half shelves cost half the listed rate; quarter shelves cost one quarter.
| Height | Bisque | Cone 5 | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | $10 | $20 | $30 |
| 3 in | $15 | $30 | $45 |
| 4 in | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 5 in | $25 | $50 | $75 |
| 6 in | $30 | $60 | $90 |
| 7 in | $35 | $70 | $105 |
| 8 in | $40 | $80 | $120 |
| 9 in | $45 | $90 | $135 |
| 10 in | $50 | $100 | $150 |
| 11 in | $55 | $110 | $165 |
| 12 in | $60 | $120 | $180 |
Minimums apply to the service total. Shelf charges never exceed the matching full kiln price.
How a full load can save money
If 72 compatible mugs fit, individual pricing totals $432 for cone 5 glaze or $648 for both firings. A full kiln costs $140 or $220 respectively, saving $292 or $428. That is about $1.94 per mug for glaze, or $3.06 for both.
| Example load | Individual both | Full kiln both | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 mugs | $648 | $220 | $428 |
| 30 bowls | $360 | $220 | $140 |
| 21 plates | $273 | $220 | $53 |
| 12 medium vases | $240 | $220 | $20 |
| 12 to 14 tall vases | $360 to $420 | $220 | $140 to $200 |
Planning examples only. Actual quantities depend on the work and the safe loading arrangement.
Timing
Shared firings usually take 1 to 2 weeks, but can take up to 6 weeks while I wait for compatible work at the same temperature.
A full kiln moves faster once it is scheduled and is usually ready 30 to 48 hours after firing begins, depending on temperature and safe cooling.
I will give you the current estimate before drop off.
A few details help me help you
Send a quick introduction
A few details help me make sure your work can be fired safely.
Send the number of pieces, approximate sizes, clay and glaze product names, the firing cone you need, and a few clear photos. Work should be completely dry and ready to load.
Please double check your materials before reaching out. Cone 05 and cone 5 are very different temperatures, and knowing exactly what clay and glaze you used helps protect your work, the other work in the kiln, and the kiln itself.
Drop off and pickup
Drop off and pickup are by appointment in Vista. Once we confirm the firing, I will send you the location and arrange a time.
Please transport work in sturdy boxes with enough padding or dividers that pieces cannot shift or knock into each other. Bring appropriate packing materials when picking up finished work as well.
Materials, firing risks and cleanup
I review each firing for material compatibility, available space, and scheduling before accepting the work. If I cannot safely accommodate a piece or firing, I will let you know before drop off.
You are responsible for correctly identifying your clay, glaze, and firing temperature. Wet work, unknown materials, or incompatible clay and glaze cannot be accepted.
| Glaze run cleanup | $10 per piece |
| Shelf damaged beyond repair | $60 per shelf |
| Brick, element or kiln damage | Actual repair cost |
Firing always carries some unpredictability. Cracking, warping, glaze changes, and other firing issues can happen even when work is prepared and loaded correctly.
Tell me what you’re making
A few photos and the details of your clay and glaze are a good place to start. I will reply with availability, an expected price, and the next steps.
Request a firing
Kiln firing · Vista / North County San Diego
Kiln firing in Vista.
You do not need to fill a kiln.
I offer limited electric kiln firing from my Vista studio for local ceramic artists, students, and makers. Small batches are welcome, and every firing is scheduled directly with me.
Preparation, timing, pricing, capacity, and safety are explained below.
HOW PRICING WORKS
Common functional forms use simple piece pricing. Sculptures and irregular work are normally priced by dry weight. Large, light, repeated, or production work is priced by shelf space or as a full kiln. I confirm the final method and timing before drop off.
QUICK PIECE PRICING
Mug or cup, about 3 inches wide by 4 inches high: $4 bisque, $6 cone 5, or $9 for both.
Cereal bowl, up to 7 inches wide by 4 inches high: $5 bisque, $8 cone 5, or $12 for both.
Dinner plate, up to 10.75 inches wide by 2 inches high: $5 bisque, $9 cone 5, or $13 for both.
Medium vase, up to 6 inches wide by 8 inches high: $8 bisque, $13 cone 5, or $20 for both.
Tall vase, up to 6 inches wide by 12 inches high: $12 bisque, $20 cone 5, or $30 for both. Oversized or unusual work is quoted individually.
SERVICE MINIMUMS
The minimum is $25 for one firing or $40 for both bisque and glaze service.
SCULPTURE AND IRREGULAR WORK
Cone 05 bisque is $3 per dry pound. Cone 5 glaze is $5 per dry pound. Both firings are $8 per dry pound. Wide, hollow, or unusually shaped pieces may be priced by kiln space instead.
FULL KILN RENTAL
Cone 05 bisque: $80. Cone 5 glaze: $140. Cone 6 glaze: $160. Bisque plus cone 5: $220. Custom temperatures require a full kiln rental and advance approval.
SHELF SPACE
Shelf pricing is based on the actual height and footprint your work uses. A full 21 inch shelf layer ranges from $10 to $60 for bisque and $20 to $120 for cone 5 depending on required height. Half shelves cost half of the matching rate. Quarter shelves cost one quarter. Shelf charges never exceed the matching full kiln price.
THE KILN
Skutt KM1027 electric kiln. Approximately 7 cubic feet. Approximately 23 inch chamber diameter by 27 inch depth. Working shelves are approximately 21 inches round.
APPROXIMATE CAPACITY
One layer may hold about 18 mugs, 6 cereal bowls, or 3 dinner plates. A full load may hold about 72 mugs, 30 bowls, 21 plates, 12 medium vases, or 12 to 14 tall vases. Actual capacity depends on handles, shape, size, and safe shelf clearance.
TIMING
Shared firing usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, but may take up to 6 weeks while I wait for compatible work at the same temperature. A full kiln is usually ready 30 to 48 hours after firing begins, depending on temperature and safe cooling.
BEFORE SCHEDULING
Use the website contact form to send the number of pieces, approximate dimensions, clay and glaze product information, requested firing cone, and clear photographs. Work must be completely dry and ready to load.
TRANSPORT AND PICKUP
Bring work in sturdy boxes with padding or dividers so pieces cannot move, touch, or carry weight. Drop off and pickup are by appointment. Bring suitable boxes and packing material when collecting finished work.
MATERIALS AND DAMAGE
Cone 05 is not cone 5. Customers must correctly identify every clay body, glaze, and firing cone. Unknown or incompatible materials may be refused. Glaze run cleanup is $10 per piece. A shelf damaged beyond repair is $60. Brick, element, or kiln damage is charged at the actual repair cost. Ordinary firing losses such as cracking, warping, or glaze flaws can occur.
REQUEST A FIRING
Contact me through the website with the details above. I will confirm whether the work is compatible, the expected price, and the current timing before drop off.