Paragon Premium Kiln Shelves

    Kiln Shelves are used to provide a solid surface for stacking ware within the kiln. Paragon's Premium Kiln Shelves are manufactured from cordierite, a high refractory clay, and were specifically designed for use within Paragon's electric kilns.  Please note, all kiln shelves may warp at higher temperatures, and while Paragon's Premium Kiln Shelves are capable of holding great weight the shelves are structurally fragile.  Do not drop, raku or reduction (gas) fire any Paragon Kiln Shelf.  Rated to Cone 10 in Oxidation only.

    Paragon's Premium Kiln Shelves are priced and sold in individual (each) quantities.  Discounts are available for customers purchasing case quantities of Kiln Shelves.

     Please Note: The item number does NOT equal the size of the shelf.

See Kiln Shelf FAQ for additional information

	Item #	Size	Case	Case	Price
			Quantity	Weight	Each
	C-10	10" Hexagon x ½"	5	20	$19.50
	C-10 H	10" Half Hexagon x ½"	10	20	$13.00
	C-13	13" Round x ½"	5	30	$24.00
	C-13 H	13" Half Round x ½"	10	30	$14.00
	C-14	12" Round x 5/8"	5	29	$23.50
	C-14 H	12" Half Round x 5/8"	10	29	$13.50
	C-16	15 ½" Octagon x 5/8"	5	53	$38.00
	C-16 H	15 ½" Half Octagon x 5/8"	10	53	$18.00
	C-18	15" Round x 5/8"	5	44	$37.00
	C-18 H	15" Half Round x 5/8"	10	44	$18.50
	C-20	20" Square x 5/8"	5	115	$88.00
	C-20 H	10" x 20" Rectangle x 5/8"	10	115	$46.00
	C-22	21" Round x ¾"	5	102	$75.00
	C-22 H	21" Half Round x ¾"	10	102	$34.50
	C-23 H	20" Half Round x ¾"	10	91	$35.00
	C-24 H	26" Half Round x ¾"	10	176	$60.00
	C-30	22" Square x 1"	5	163	$122.00
	C-30 H	11" x 22" Rectangle x 1"	10	163	$64.00

No Packing Charges for UPS Shipments

Kiln Shelf Quantity Discounts

Paragon Kiln Posts

No Packing Charges for UPS Shipments

    Paragon's Kiln Posts are priced and sold in individual (each) quantities.  Rated to Cone 10 in Oxidation only.  The 1" Square Kiln Posts, also known as small kiln posts, are used in all hobby sized kilns such as the Paragon TnF 82-3 or Paragon Xpress 1193 which use kiln shelves equal to or smaller than 16" in diameter.  The 1½" Square Kiln Posts, also known as Large Kiln Posts, are used in all of the large kilns, such as the Paragon Dragon or TnF 27-3, which use kiln shelves larger than 16" in diameter.  For customer convenience, both the 1" Square Posts and the 1½" Square Posts are packaged in 24 unit cases.

Kiln Post Quantity Discounts

Kiln Shelf FAQ:

What are Kiln Shelves, Kiln Furniture?

    The simplest answer is a combination of shelves (flats) and posts (uprights) used to create layers within a kiln chamber... as shown in the photo above.  The photo above is also a good example of the WRONG way to load a kiln.  Yes, the smaller stuff should be placed lower in the kiln as the posts will be shorter and the upper shelves more stable, BUT the kiln posts be of a length to match the distance being spanned.  If you need a 5" post, use a 5" post rather than an 1" stacked on top of 4" post which is just a disaster waiting to happen.  Remember, the goal in loading a kiln should be to make the load as stable as possible.  In that respect the posts should always be placed as close to the outer edge of the shelf as possible.

    One last note about kiln shelves and loading a kiln.  Furniture kits often include extra posts for customer convenience.  Just because the Furniture Kit includes 4 each of a size of post does not mean you should USE the 4 posts when loading a kiln.  When stacking kiln shelves onto kiln posts, always use the fewest number of posts practical for the shape of the shelf.  Only 3 kiln posts should be used with Half Rounds and Full Round kiln shelves as even a slight difference in the post or warping of the shelf would cause the shelf to wobble if placed on 4 posts.  Obviously 4 posts must be used on square or rectangle shelves.

What clays are used to make Kiln Shelves?

    Technically kiln shelves (and posts for that matter) can be made from any material capable of withstanding the temperatures within a kiln without sagging or shrinking.  Since clays are typically cheaper than metals, usually a clay material consisting of a combination of Cordierite and Mullite combined with Alumina Silicate to control thermal expansion issues will be used to manufacture inexpensive kiln furniture.  The amount of Alumina Silicate added to the formula will often encourage a marketing game of "my High Alumina kiln shelves have more Alumina than your High Alumina kiln shelves", which is a pretty poor game to play because the kiln shelves are often identical products from a single factory.  For Dogwood Ceramic Supply's purposes the term Cordierite Kiln Shelf, Mullite Kiln Shelf or High Alumina Kiln Shelf are interchangeable and we commonly use the term Cordierite Kiln Shelf or the simpler "Kiln Shelf" term to describe any kiln shelf manufactured with a combination of Cordierite, Mullite and Alumina Silicate.

Who makes Kiln Shelves / Where do the Kiln Shelves come from?

    There are seemingly hundreds upon hundreds of kiln shelf manufacturers across the world.  That said, most of the kiln shelf manufacturers are multinational corporations with multiple manufacturing facilities in dozens of countries.  After working through the lists of subsidiaries and whatnot they may be a dozen actual corporations manufacturing kiln shelves and the country of origin could change from batch to batch.

    Since there is little reason to chase brands of kiln shelves (because ultimately the source really is unknown and may even be the same), most kiln shelf vendors will combine kiln shelves with other products to minimize shipping costs.  In this respect, Dogwood Ceramic Supply purchases kiln shelves primarily from Paragon as we can combine the purchase of kiln shelves with the purchase of kilns.  Paragon's primarily purchases kiln shelves from Hormaca.  Hormaca also sells kiln shelves to a number of other kiln manufacturers which means what looks like a Paragon (Hormaca) shelf can appear the same as another vendor's shelf (or visa versa) because in reality they really are the same shelves.  A few shelves and accessory items also purchased by Paragon from Dal-Tile.  Yes, the same Dal-Tile who makes the unglazed bisque tiles sold by Dogwood Ceramic Supply.  In turn Dogwood Ceramic Supply may also purchase Kiln Shelves and accessories from Dal-Tile when we purchase bulk loads of tile.

    For customer's convenience we (Dogwood) market our kiln shelves as Paragon Premium Kiln Shelves.  Obviously the shelves are not manufactured by Paragon, but it is easier to identify the shelves with regards to our primary source rather than the actual manufacturer of the shelves.

Are there different grades of Kiln Shelves?

    Yes.  In simplest terms clay based kiln shelves will be either cast or pressed.  Why cast versus pressed?  Casting is a simpler, cheaper operation cheaper than can result in an extremely smooth surface.  Cast shelves are always cheaper than a pressed shelf of an identical size and will be often sold as "Glass Shelves" because of weight or temperature limitations.  Pressed shelves, often called Dry Pressed Kiln Shelves, are generally capable of much higher temperatures and weight bearing loads than the cast shelves but cost more and have a rougher finish than the cast shelves.  The Pressed Shelves will often be marketed as "Pottery Shelves".  In reality, many smaller cast shelves are stable enough to be used for pottery temperatures so the differences between cast and pressed is usually only truly significant for larger sized shelves.

Why the variation in the price of Kiln Shelves?

    Actually Kiln Shelves are quite consistent in price between different vendors .... once you factor in the hidden and extra costs of the product...

    All too often the kiln vendor will add a substantial packaging or handling charge to the price of kiln shelves shipped to the customer.  In some instances the packaging charge is 20, 25, 30 and some extreme instances even 40% of the selling price of the kiln shelf.  Granted packing kiln shelves does take time and material, but packaging charges should never be based upon the price of the product as the the amount of material and time to pack a $10 shelf is the same as the material and time to pack a $20 shelf.  By the way, it is not just the vendors who are guilty of tacking on excessive packaging fees... some shelf manufacturers are even doing the same.

   Then there is the issue of warranty.  Kiln shelves are easily damaged.  Sometimes even abused.  Because damage is difficult to determine as to cause (manufacturer, shelf vendor, freight company, customer), most kiln shelf vendors simply sell shelves as is/where is so as to deny liability in the event damage or defect does occur.  Obviously a product being sold as is/where is can be sold for substantially less than shelves sold with even a modest warranty.

    Comparatively, Dogwood Ceramic Supply builds the packaging costs of the product into the selling price and offers a minimal warranty that the others do not.  While our selling prices may be higher, those higher upfront costs essentially disappear when the packaging charges and lack of a warranty are factored into the cost analysis.

Kiln Shelves can come with a Warranty?

    Kiln Shelves sold by Dogwood Ceramic Supply in over the counter transactions in our showroom or shipped with a matching Paragon Kiln from our warehouse or the Paragon factory are warranted by Dogwood Ceramic Supply to be free of manufacturing defects which could compromise the functionality of the shelf.  This warranty only applies through the first firing.  Photo proof of the defective shelf or returning the defective shelf (or shelves) to Dogwood Ceramic Supply (or the Paragon factory) is required.  Dogwood Ceramic Supply will simply replace any kiln shelves deemed defective, subject to the listed exclusions:

   1) Kiln shelves damaged by overfiring (exceeding the rated temperature of the kiln or materials being fired) regardless of the cause of overfiring.  2) Kiln shelves are to be fired without wares or kiln wash being applied to insure appropriate functionality of the kiln shelf, thus wares damaged by a defective shelf are excluded.  3)  Kiln Shelves with kiln wash applied (which indicates usage)  4)  Kiln shelves used in reduction atmospheres, salt, raku, pit, wood or any other non-approved usage.  5) Shelves dropped or otherwise abused.  6)  Chips and nicks are considered cosmetic as they do not impact the functionality of the kiln shelf.  7)  Shipping damage.

    First firing is simply defined as a reasonable period of time that the typical customer will operate the kiln and test fire the shelves.  Since most customers fire their kiln within the first week of ownership, it is reasonable to assume the kiln shelves will have been fired at the same time.  Kiln Shelf defect claims after the first week of purchase will be judged on an individual basis.

     THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL DOGWOOD CERAMIC SUPPLY BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANY INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY SUCH DEFECT IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP.

     This agreement is made in the State of Mississippi and its validity, construction, and all rights under it will be governed by the laws of the State of Mississippi.  There are no additional rights allowed.

What is the difference between a manufacturing defect and freight or handling damage?

    Customer handling damage (i.e. dropping the shelf) and similar significant freight damage issues are readily apparent and will never be covered by the Dogwood warranty.  That said, there is a common manufacturing issue which results in a specific type of crack development in identical locations in some batches of shelves received by Paragon and Dogwood.  The manufacturers (yes, multiple manufacturers and manufacturing locations) blame the shipping companies.  The shipping companies blame the vendors.  The vendors blame the manufacturers.  Dogwood takes the high road in the blame game and replaces the shelves found to be defective.  Since this defect nearly always becomes readily apparent during the first firing, Dogwood Ceramic Supply warrants the shelves for the first firing and handles delayed claims on a case by case basis.

What about other types of Kiln Shelf materials?

   Yes there are many other types of kiln shelves.  And there are usually very valid reasons why we don't sell or recommend the shelves for use in electric kilns.

    Silicon Carbide.  Marketed under various brand names (Advancer from Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials being one of the most common) and variations of Silicon Carbide formulations.  Silicon Carbide shelves are lighter, thinner and have some other advantages over traditional Cordierite type kiln shelves and as such Silicon Carbide Kiln Shelves are commonly used for large gas fired kilns.  However, per Saint-Gobain, there are two significant disadvantages with regards to Silicon Carbide Kiln Shelves and the common electric kiln.  First and foremost Silicon Carbide is capable of conducting electricity, which can present a safety and usage risk when the Silicon Carbide (or the variants) are used in an electric kiln.  Secondly, and almost more importantly, Silicon Carbide can readily retain water which can result in an explosive steam issue if the Silicon Carbide shelves are not properly stored (dry room) between each firing or fired with an extremely slow (12 to 24 hour hold times) firing schedule.  In addition to the previous problems noted by Saint-Gobain, some of the Silicon Carbide variants may generate a reduction atmosphere within the electric kiln.  Reduction (the lack of oxygen) is not conducive to proper color development in commercial glazes and can significantly reduce the life of the kiln element.  Oh, and one last thing, Silicon Carbide Kiln Shelves routinely cost 2 to 3x a comparative Cordierite Kiln Shelf.

    Hollow Core Shelves.  Marketed under various names with Core Lite Kiln Shelves and Extruded Kiln Shelves being the most common.  These Hollow Core Kiln Shelves are manufactured from the traditional Cordierite type materials and extruded through a set of complex extruder dies to generate a kiln shelf that is lighter in weight than the traditional solid core shelves.  Weight savings are typically around 25%.  Good long term potential to replace the solid core shelves for some applications.  But as vendor's cost is significantly higher for the Hollow Core Shelves than than traditional solid Cordierite Kiln Shelves and the likelihood of impact damage is greater for the Hollow Core Shelves than solid Cordierite Kiln Shelves, the Hollow Core Shelves will most likely remain a niche market product for several years to come.  However, in spite of the cost drawbacks, the Hollow Core Shelves are becoming hugely popular in the large glass market because a single Hollow Core (Dyson by Ditore Glass) Shelf can be easily manufactured to fit the large glass kilns, such as the Pearl 44 or 56.

Specialty Kiln Furniture, what is it?

   Tile Racks and Plate Racks are considered specialty kiln furniture.  Typically made from Cordierite which is pressed or extruded to achieve specialty shapes.  The Specialty Kiln Furniture may or may not be able to withstand Cone 10 firing, but are often used with great success at Cone 6.

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Paragon Information

12590 Dedeaux Road
Gulfport Mississippi, 39503
Telephone (228) 831-4848        Fax (228) 831-3111

Showroom Business Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10AM to 5PM
Thursday 1PM to 6PM

Closed Wednesday and Sunday

Paragon's premium kiln shelves are stocked and sold by Dogwood Ceramic Supply for glass and pottery kilns.