Paragon Info

Thank you for coming to Dogwood Ceramic Supply's Information page on Paragon Kilns. This extensive section of information on Paragon Kilns was written by Dogwood Ceramic Supply and includes supporting information provided by Paragon and Orton. We hope that this information may help you find the perfect kiln to fit your needs.

When you are ready to select a specific kiln, or just want to learn more about a specific model of Paragon Kiln then click on Dogwood Ceramic Supply's Paragon Kiln Catalog. The Paragon Kiln Catalog shows our featured models of Paragon kilns, has the links to the complete product description and specifications, and of course the catalog includes Dogwood Ceramic Supply's discounted prices on every popular model of Paragon Kilns.

Paragon Industries, based in Mesquite Texas, has grown from a small company formed in 1948 to become the one of the largest manufacturers of electric kilns. In 1996 Paragon Industries acquired the kiln line produced by Duncan Enterprises, their largest competitor in the hobby kiln market. Today Paragon is largest manufacturer of electric kilns in the world for the hobby and small business users.

This section of information applies to high firing products, including ceramics, pottery and porcelain. For information regarding very low fire products, including china painting and glass fusing please refer to Paragon's printed catalog.

There are three important temperature ratings which will determine what products that you may fire in your kiln. Though a kiln rated to 2300°F (Cone 8) can fire porcelain and stoneware, the 2350°F (Cone 10) kiln is generally preferred as the kiln is truly designed for high performance. The list below are the common temperatures of the various clay products.

To simplify your purchasing decision most of the Paragon Kilns featured and stocked by Dogwood Ceramic Supply are rated to 2350°F (Cone 10), and most of these models carry an energy miser rating by Paragon. By featuring the kilns with the highest temperature rating we are sure that your Paragon Kiln will be able to handle all of your possible needs.

Generally, the larger the kiln, the lower the cost of the kiln per cubic foot of interior space. However larger kilns may be slightly slower to reach maximum temperature and will always require a much longer period of time to cool after firing.

    A typical "hobby" size kiln has approximately 3 cubic feet of interior volume (interior 16" wide by 22" deep) and is large enough to fire most cast greenware items, such as Christmas Trees or canister sets. The "hobby" size kilns are the Paragon 82 series, such as the TnF 82-3. Paragon also offers kilns that are smaller in size than the "hobby" size kilns. These smaller kilns, such as the TnF 1613-3, are perfect for firing smaller cast greenware items or porcelain dolls for individual use.
    The typical ceramic, contemporary, or pottery studio will find the 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 cubic foot Paragon kilns are a better sized kiln for the active studio. Standard equipment on all of the "larger" top loading Paragon Kilns is the Paragon LiteLid. These "larger" size kilns offer several different widths and depths that allow firing of wider or taller items with ease.
    The 5 cubic foot kilns, such as the Paragon TnF 23-3, are typically 22" wide and 22" deep. The 5 cubic foot kiln is fairly comfortable to load, and is an excellent kiln for the active studio producing hobby ceramics or pottery.
    The 7 cubic foot kiln is 22" wide by 29" deep kiln, and includes the Paragon TnF 24-3 or the Viking 24-3. The 7 cubic foot kiln is ideal for studios that need the additional depth of this kiln to accommodate taller pieces.
    The 8 cubic feet configuration is the 28" wide by 22" deep kiln, such as the Paragon TnF 27-3. The 8 cubic foot kiln is large volume kiln with a comfortable load depth.
    Of course the largest Paragon Kilns produced for the small business market are the Paragon TnF 28-3, the Viking 28 and the Dragon. The Viking 28 and the Paragon TnF 28-3 are virtually identical in appearance and both are top loading kilns with 10 cubic feet of interior volume and are 28" wide and 29" deep. The Dragon is a front loading kiln with 9 cubic feet of interior space, 24" wide and deep and 27" high.

Remember that large kilns require additional time for cooling, and can be much more difficult to load.

A large top loading kiln that is 29" deep can be very difficult to load as the top edge of the wall of the kiln when the kiln is mounted on it's kiln stand will be 41" from the ground. A user of a 29" deep kiln who stands less than 6' tall will have difficulty reaching the bottom of the 29" deep kiln.

If you actually require a deeper kiln to fire your ware then the 29" deep kilns may be your only option. If you require a tall firing height consider the Dragon or Super Dragon from Paragon. The Dragon, as a front loading kiln, is much easier to load than top loading kilns and offers a 27" firing chamber height. The Super Dragon from Paragon can be manufactured in nearly any possible height with 36" being the standard chamber height for the Super Dragon.

    While we are discussing large kilns, remember that your kiln will typically be located somewhere in your studio. How wide is the kiln at the narrowest point? Will the kiln fit through the doorway?   Most kilns will fit through a common 32" interior doorway. But there are models that require a minimum 33", 36" or even a 37" doorway!
    And the weight of the kiln can be also very important. Most Paragon Kilns come equipped with hand lifts that allow fairly easy moving of even some of the largest kilns. But if your new kiln will be moved through several rooms or a great distance, you may need several friends with strong backs to assist you with the lifting and moving.
    And then there are hallways and stairwells to contend with. To assist moving the larger round kilns through narrow doorways and difficult stairwells Paragon now makes most of the models in a sectional design. The sectional kilns can be dismantled into two or three sections that can be more easily lifted and carried up or down stairs, or through narrower doorways.
    Refer to the Dogwood Ceramic Supply Paragon Kiln catalog for the exact doorway space required and shipping weight of your new kiln.
    One additional note about space requirements. Please remember to allow 12" between the rear and side walls of the kiln and the surrounding walls or any combustible materials. To the front of the kiln allow adequate space for the control panel to swing down for access to the internal controls if repairs should be necessary. Generally 18" to 24" to the front of the kiln is adequate.

    One of the biggest mistakes made by hobby customers is assuming the dimensions listed for the kiln are the maximum size object that the kiln can handle. That assumption is entirely incorrect. The measurements are the best description of the kiln chamber and, with the exception of the width of the kiln for a multisided kiln, the measurement is an accurate measurement of the kiln chamber. For a top loading "round" kiln with 6 or more side walls the width will be measured at the narrowest point within the kiln, what Dogwood Ceramic Supply refers to as side wall to side wall. The side wall to side wall measurement in a top loading "round" kiln is the narrowest point in the kiln and there is a small amount of additional space in the corners of the kiln where the bricks join together. Occasionally the corner space is usable, but for most objects the extra space is not usable.
    The size of the object that can be placed into a kiln is proportional to the chamber size. Proportional is the key word as the objects fired in a kiln will expand as the temperature rises within the kiln. Every type of clay, glass, metal etc has a different expansion rate which is affected by the temperature achieved in the kiln. Traditionally clay artists will allow up to 1" of expansion of their wares within a kiln. That 1" distance is due to the expansion of the object as well as flexing of the kiln lid and bottom during high temperatures. Thus a kiln with a chamber size of 10" x 10" can hold a clay object not bigger than 9" x 9", IF the item is fired directly on the kiln floor (bottom) and does not require stilting. Adding a ¾" thick kiln shelf to protect the brick floor or stilt to keep the object from fusing to the brick floor or shelf could combine together to consume nearly 2" of vertical space within the kiln, thus a 10" vertical chamber could be marginally sufficient for a 7" tall object.
    Always consider the size of the objects to be fired in the kiln and allow for expansion of the object, allowance for shelving and stilts as well flexing of the kiln brick during the firing.

Consider the size of the items that you will typically fire, as well as the total number of items you will fire. Select the kiln that will handle most of your routine firing needs. For customers within easy traveling distance of Dogwood Ceramic Supply you are welcome to bring your wares for a kiln fitting. Much like the fitting for a wedding dress or a new suit, we will examine your wares and determine the size and shape of the kiln that would best serve your needs.
Please note, as the kiln volume increases, the relative cost of the kiln decreases. A small hobby sized kiln may cost $1000 and have about 3 cubic feet of interior space, while the large production kiln may cost $2000 have 10 cubic feet of interior space. The large kiln may cost twice the price of the smaller kiln, but you get over three times the firing volume.

The vast majority of the kilns stocked by Dogwood Ceramic Supply are capable of firing to 2350°F (Cone 10). Many of these kilns are rated as an Energy Miser by Paragon. Energy Miser kilns have 3" of brick insulation in the walls, lid and bottom to increase the firing efficiency of the kiln. Standard kilns have only 2½" of brick insulation. What seems like a relatively small increase in brick thickness is actually rather dramatic, as the element and element channel occupy nearly 1" of the wall brick thickness. Thus the Energy Miser kilns have nearly 33% increase in thermo efficiency versus standard kiln bricks. The increased thermo efficiency of the kiln will lower your electric consumption, as well as extend the life of the kiln elements.

    Why Digital? Digital controllers are much more precise than a mechanical controller found on other kilns, and digital controllers are extremely accurate. A mechanical controller may be accurate within 1 to 2 cone values (40 to 80 degrees) depending upon calibration, and the mechanical controller may drift through out this performance range with each firing. On the other hand the Sentry 2.0 controller and its matching thermocouple is accurate to within a few degrees Fahrenheit.
    Are Digital Controllers durable? Yes! Like any electronic product, digital controllers can fail, but, when compared to the mechanical controllers found on kilns of yesteryear, digital controllers are extremely durable. And when a digital controller does fail, just remove a few screws and the controller is replaced within seconds. How durable is the Sentry 2.0 Controller? The Sentry 2.0 Controller is backed with the best warranty in the kiln industry...a 30 month warranty!
    When combined with its low cost and industry leading warranty the Sentry 2.0 digital controller represents the best value for operating kilns.
    Additional information about the Sentry 2.0 controller can be found at Paragon's website that can be found on Dogwood Ceramic Supply's Manufacturer Links at the top of this page.

    The digital controller uses a thermocouple (temperature probe) to measure the temperature within the kiln. The sensitivity and accuracy of the thermocouple is important for the overall accuracy of the Digital Controller. Paragon and every other kiln manufacturer use a Type-K thermocouple as standard equipment. The Type-K thermocouple is relatively inexpensive (replacement cost $51 list including lead wires and mounting block) and quite durable. The Paragon Type-K thermocouple is hermetically sealed thermocouple in a ¼" Inconel® tube to extend the life of the thermocouple.
    The advantage of the Type-K thermocouple is that it is ideal for firing to Cone 02 (2000°F) or cooler temperatures. The Type-K thermocouple can be used up to Cone 10 (2350°F), however, at those higher temperatures, the Type-K thermocouple will quickly degrade with repeated use.
    The Sentry 2.0 Digital Controller is available with an optional Type-S premium grade thermocouple. The Type-S thermocouple is made from platinum and rhodium wire, which is chemically inert to the caustic gases that may be present in the kiln, and even more importantly the Type-S thermocouple will tolerate temperatures up to 2700°F with no deviation in accuracy of the thermocouple. In addition, the response time of the Type-S thermocouple is faster than a Type-K thermocouple, thereby improving the accuracy of the instrument.
    The Type-S thermocouple is an $200 list upgrade which can be added to every Paragon Kiln equipped with the Sentry 2.0 Digital Controller. If you plan to routinely fire to Cone 4 or hotter, Dogwood Ceramic Supply recommends that you add the Type-S thermocouple to your Paragon Kiln.
    The Type-S thermocouple is warranted by Paragon for 2 years, the standard Type-K thermocouple is warranted for 6 months.
    Visually the two thermocouples are quite distinctive. The Type-K is a ¼" metallic tube that protrudes into the interior of the kiln for approximately 1". The Type-S is contained in a very thin, white or cream colored porcelain tube that protrudes only ¾" into the kiln interior. Be advised, the Type-S Thermocouple is very fragile compared to the Type-K Thermocouple, and may be easily broken if struck by a kiln shelf. The warranty for the Type-S Thermocouple does not cover thermocouples that are damage by contact with kiln shelves or ware.
    Dogwood Ceramic Supply routinely stocks Paragon kilns with optional Type-S thermocouple, as well as the standard Type-K Thermocouple.

    Every Paragon Kiln comes complete, and most are ready to fire!

    If you have purchased a kiln and had the kiln shipped to your location, the kiln will arrive crated and will be transported to your location by a common carrier, such as Yellow Freight, Roadway, ABF or SAIA Motor Freight. Freight charges start as low as $130 for commercial deliveries, with the exact freight charge depending upon your location and the kiln purchased.
    The freight company is only responsible to getting the kiln to the rear of the delivery truck at a commercial location. If you are receiving a large or heavy kiln, it may be beneficial to request a hydraulic lift truck to deliver your kiln to the ground. Many common carriers will provide a hydraulic lift truck for delivery of heavy and awkward deliveries. Freight companies typically charge for the use of their hydraulic lift trucks, as well as additional charges for deliveries to residential locations and limited access locations, such as schools and military facilities.

Liftgate service is ALWAYS included in the prices quoted by Dogwood Ceramic Supply.

Receiving a Kiln

Legally the freight company is only required to delivery freight to the rear of the delivery trailer. Because most customers lack loading docks with forklifts, Dogwood Ceramic Supply adds Liftgate Service to our freight quotes. Adding Liftgate Service to the freight bill means the driver MUST lower the kiln to the ground. Adding Residential Service to the freight bill also compensates the driver & freight company for the extra handling costs associated with typical residential deliveries. The delivery driver should be willing to move the kiln a reasonable distance from the delivery trailer to the customer's desired location, IF the driver has good access to the driveway and the driver can use his/her pallet jack to move the kiln on paved/concrete surfaces to the desired location. Please be advised, what is reasonable to you may not be reasonable to the freight driver. Over the hill, around the backside of the house and lowered into the basement is never reasonable. And always remember that honey works better than vinegar and will do wonders in motivating somebody to do something extra, like moving the kiln to your garage.

Special Note to Kiln Customers for every brand of kiln.

Over the years Dogwood Ceramic Supply has heard a steady stream of consumer complaints regarding freight damages for EVERY brand of kiln on the market. Stuff does happen and kilns are easily damaged, especially if a lift truck is driven over the kiln shipping crate or box. Fortunately very few kilns for any kiln company are delivered severely damaged. Let me repeat that statement ... very few kilns are delivered severely damaged. Most damaged kilns are classified as hidden damage and usually the damage is minor ... a few broken bricks or a scratched lid or control panel. Minor damages, if they occur, are usually easily repaired.

HOWEVER, most consumers are not aware of the legal requirements for freight deliveries.

The delivery driver will require an adult signature on a legal document known as a "bill of lading". The signature is required on the bill of lading to show complete and damage free delivery, or provide notice of shortages or damages. While the owner of the kiln is not required to sign for the delivery, it is strongly recommended that the person at the delivery location is aware of his/her responsibilities and is capable of inspecting the kiln for damages.

If the freight company presents you with a pile of match sticks, twisted metal and brick dust just refuse the delivery. Massive kiln damage does occur and the freight companies are legally required to present the goods for delivery if they believe there may be salvage value in the damaged goods. Just because they bring a destroyed kiln to your home does not mean the kiln must be off loaded. When a kiln is destroyed, just refuse the shipment, sign the bill of lading stating the kiln was destroyed, call the manufacturer or seller and wait for the replacement.

By the way, the best estimate is that maybe 1 in 1000 kilns are a complete wipeout. Tornadoes, forklifts and other things can happen to a kiln.

If at all possible UNCRATE the kiln and inspect the kiln.

Legal Note: The ownership and responsibility for damage free delivery is transferred from the kiln company to the freight company when the freight company accepts the kiln. That ownership and responsibility for damages is transferred to the kiln owner when the bill of lading is signed accepting the delivery of the kiln. Uncrating and inspecting the kiln for damages is important.

If the kiln is undamaged, sign the bill of lading and release the driver. If the crating or kiln appears to have minor damage then make a clear notation on the bill of lading describing the damage. Use clear language that proper describes the parts of the kiln that were damaged and the type and degree of the damage. A ding or ping is not catastrophic and if properly noted on the bill of lading the kiln owner can be properly compensated for the minor damage.

Dogwood's Over the Counter Kiln Sales

If you are picking your kiln up from Dogwood Ceramic Supply, please consider several items. First, most kilns will be crated and may require a significant amount of space with only the smallest kilns fitting into an automobile. Second, some SUV's and minivans may not be able to accept the crated kiln either because of the crate's width or height (call Dogwood for the height and width of the crated kiln). Third, if you have an open bed truck please remember that kilns are not fish and do not like water, so in the event of rain please bring a tarp to protect the kiln.

When you uncrate the kiln, PLEASE keep the kiln stand. The kiln stand is wrapped and is attached to one of the uprights of the packing crate. Uncrating a Paragon kiln is rather simple, and only requires a claw hammer and about 10 minutes of time. The kiln stand will need to be assembled, which is easily done a pair of pliers and a nut driver.
A few very large kilns (Dragon and Viking series) as well as kilns for wired for 208v operation, will require a power cord to be wired to the power supply. If you are not capable of performing the electrical installation please hire a qualified electrician.

    Yes, there are different types of electrical specifications. 200, 208, 220, and 240 are the common electrical voltages used worldwide. In the Continental United States, the common electrical voltages are 208v and 240v, with 480v available only in industrial settings.
    240v circuits are commonly found in homes and many commercial buildings. All kilns kept in Dogwood's inventory are wired for 240v operation, because it is the most common voltage for residential and small business use.
    208v is commonly used in situations where a consistent and higher quality of electricity is required. Therefore, some commercial buildings, nearly all new school construction and even a few homes may be wired with 208v circuits.
    There is no visible difference between 240v and 208v outlets, so even a qualified electrician may not be aware that a 208v circuit is being used without actually checking the voltage or electrical specifications of the building. Dogwood has found some school campuses that have older buildings wired with 240v circuits while the newest buildings on the school campus were wired with 208v circuits. So never assume.
    Check with your electrician or electric company for specific information. Be persistent and require exact information by asking "is my location wired for 208v or 240v?" Get a definitive answer, because a kiln wired for 240v operation will not work on a 208v circuit, and a kiln wired for 208v will quickly fail if used on a 240v circuit.
    What happens if my wiring is 208v? Just specify a 208v kiln when you place your order. There is no additional charge for a 208v kiln, but these kilns must ALWAYS be specially ordered.

    Sorry, if you are located in the Continental United States there is a very good chance your electrician is WRONG.
    The power company is obligated to provide the proper voltage, within normal tolerances, to the exterior of your home or building. Typically the power company will provide 240v unless the electrical requirements dictate 208v.
    Typically the house or building will be wired with electrical outlets that may be 10's or even 100's of feet from the electrical meter. Each linear foot of wire distance causes a slight drop in the voltage.
    The designers of common home appliances, such as stoves and dryers, have realized that they can not control the tolerance range of the power company nor the amount of voltage drop within the home and, more importantly, there are instances when their product could be used on either a 240v or 208v circuit. Therefore many of these common appliances have been designed for a broad range of electrical conditions and will operate within design specifications for voltages within a range of 220v.
    Some electricians may answer the voltage question by saying "yes you have 220v". In those instances the electrician is referring to the common appliance requirement of 220v, and will be assuming that a kiln is a common household appliance. Ask the electrician for the exact voltage value, when measured at the meter it will usually be 240v.
    If your kiln is to be located a considerable distance from the electrical meter it is important to measure the voltage at that location. It is possible that there may be a large voltage drop, and in fact, at that location the electrician may determine the available voltage may be even below 230v. In those situations relocate the kiln closer to the electrical meter or have the power company add an additional meter that is closer to the location of the kiln thus providing a better source of power.
    If you are located in the Continental United States and your electrician insists that you are supplied with 220v please consult with another electrician.

Single Phase is the typical AC power that is found in most residential homes, schools and small commercial buildings. Three Phase electrical service (meaning three phases of AC current) is found in some large commercial and school locations where high startup current electric motors, such as those needed in elevators and walk in refrigeration, are needed. For most kiln customers, single phase is the only option of electrical service available.
Should your school or commercial building have Three Phase service available, Paragon will provide kilns that are appropriately wired for you particular operation, including 208v, 240v, and 480v 3 phase. There may be an additional charge for kilns wired for 3 phase operation.

Yep, there are some nice extras. Not every one will need each of the following items, but most people will need one or more of the items to fully utilize their kiln (s).

    The Orton Vent Master is designed to remove noxious gases produced during the firing of a kiln from the interior of the kiln and exhaust the fumes. The most common gas produced during firing of a kiln is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a noxious gas that can produce headaches and nausea in small quantities, and in large concentrations can cause serious illness or death. There are also trace quantities of other, more toxic gases, that can be produced during the firing of a kiln. All of these gases are formed from the break down of materials that can be found in the clay or glazes. If you will be using your kiln in a room that can not be separately vented by mechanical means you should purchase a Vent Master. If you will be using the kiln in a school or commercial setting you may be required to use a Vent Master (or other means of ventilating) by your state and local building codes. As an added benefit, the use of a Vent Master can reduce the cooling time of a kiln after firing by 2 to 3 hours for a medium sized kiln and as much as 6 hours on a larger kiln, and the use of the Vent Master has been known to improve the appearance of colored glazes and underglazes.
    What else do I need to know about the Orton Vent Master?
    The Orton Vent Master will draw air through two or three small holes in the lid of the kiln and exhaust out through two to four small hole in the bottom of the kiln. In many cases these holes will have been predrilled at the Paragon factory prior to the shipping of the kiln, or you may drill your own holes with a common variable speed electric drill. With a constant stream of clean air from the room, the "dirty" air from the kiln is diluted with room air and exhausted from the Vent Master through an exhaust hose that connects to a hole in an exterior wall. You will also need to cut a 4" hole in an exterior wall to exhaust the gases from the Vent Master.
    Please note, the Orton Vent Master can be retrofitted to any age kiln, but the AOP (Auxiliary Output) is only available as a factory installed option. Most kilns stocked by Dogwood Ceramic Supply are equipped with the AOP.

Deluxe Kiln Stand The Paragon Deluxe Kiln Stand is mounted on casters to allow the user to move the kiln out of the way when not in use. The Deluxe Kiln Stand comes in two sizes for use with hobby sized kilns ($93.00) or large kilns ($115.00). Large front loading kilns will usually need a customized stand which will be included with the kiln or available as an option.

Orton Witness Cones As accurate as the Sentry 2.0 is, there still is chance that the thermocouple (temperature probe) may need recalibration from drifting with age, or another error. Orton Self Supporting Witness Cones should be used with every firing, as a double check on the operation of the kiln. Much like using a toothpick to check a cake coming from the oven, Orton Self Supporting Witness Cones are just a double check to insure that everything is done to your satisfaction.
Orton Self Supporting Witness Cones come in every possible cone value from Cone 12 to Cone 020, and are designed to be set upon the shelves in your kiln. A set of three witness cones should be used in one to three places within the kiln. The set of cones should be your desired firing temperature (cone) and one cone above and below the desired firing point. For small kilns a single set of Orton Self Supporting Witness Cones is sufficient, for large kilns three sets of Orton Self Supporting Witness Cones should be used. Orton Self Supporting Witness Cones come in a box of a single firing value, price $6.60 per box of 25 Self Supporting Witness Cones. Orton Self Supporting Witness Cones are a very inexpensive insurance policy to check on the performance of your new kiln.

Ready to buy a new Paragon Kiln? Then just click over to Dogwood's online Paragon Catalog, pick out your new kiln and give Dogwood Ceramic Supply a call!