Paragon Kiln Information

    Thank you for coming to Dogwood Ceramic Supply's Information page on Paragon Kilns. We hope that this information may help you find the perfect Paragon 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.

    Please note:  Dogwood Ceramic Supply is a clay based supply house.  The emphasis of the Paragon Information Page is to support our core customer base.  While the Paragon Information Page was written specifically for ceramics and pottery, customers of very low fire products, such as glass fusing, may also find the information herein useful for their specific applications.

How to Choose a Kiln

    Dogwood Ceramic Supply suggests you always start with Temperature Rating of the kiln as it is easier (and quicker) to eliminate a kiln based upon temperature rating than the design considerations of Front Loading versus Top Loading.

     Always remember that size is important because nobody wants to buy a kiln that will not accommodate their most basic firing projects.  And anybody considering purchasing a very small kiln should always read the Small Kiln Comparison Guide before making such a purchase.

Key Features Common to Most Paragon Kilns

    The Energy Miser feature (3" or thicker wall bricks) is standard equipment on the large professional Paragon Kilns and optional on all other kilns.  The extra insulation is of such importance and benefit to every kiln customer that Dogwood Ceramic Supply only stock kilns with the added insulation. 

    Saving money is important for everybody and comes in many forms.  Over a decade ago Paragon developed their patented LiteLid to assist with opening the heavy kiln lids.  The LiteLid nearly eliminated warranty and non-warranty kiln lid replacement costs which was a direct benefit for both consumers and the manufacturer.  In response to consumer demands, the popular Digital Controller was developed to reduce the need to babysit a kiln during firing thus allowing more hobbyists the opportunity to fire their own wares and reduce the cost of firing operations for the professional studios.  The Digital Controller provides an added benefit of being able to troubleshoot a kiln over the telephone versus requiring an expensive, time consuming service call which is a huge benefit to seller, manufacturer and of course the consumer.

Common and not so Common Options

    Every Paragon includes a kiln stand either included with the kiln or built into the kiln as it is necessary to separate the kiln bottom from floor (or table in the case of a small kiln) for proper and safe operation.  But the standard stand is not always the best choice for ease of operation.  Paragon offers a number of Kiln Stands for various kilns and even a heavy duty table for the mid-sized front loading and clam shell glass kilns.

    Kiln Furniture is an option that is pretty much a must have rather than an option for most kiln owners.  Kiln Furniture is the industry term for the shelves and posts used to create and fire layers of ware in kiln.  Kiln Furniture (more specifically a single shelf and a few posts) is also used in all glass kilns to prevent over fired glass from destroying the kiln bottom.  By the way, the reason Kiln Furniture is not standard is that there are customers who legitimately do not need the furniture (such as sculptures firing 1 large piece in each kiln load) as well as those who buy cases after cases of kiln shelves every year because they are sloppy with their firing.

    Nearly all of Paragon's professional glass kilns are equipped with ceramic fiber roofs (lids or tops) to eliminate brick dust and debris from being generated from element vibrations.  For a small number of professional glass kilns when the fiber lid is not standard equipment and for nearly all of the hobby glass kilns Paragon offers an optional Ceramic Fiber Lids for Glass.  Exceptional house keeping practices can allow one to skip the ceramic fiber, for everybody we recommend the upgrade.

    What distinguishes a hobby kiln from a professional kiln?  The color black.  Most professional glass kilns are painted black.  That said, it takes more than a pretty paint job to classify a kiln.  With Paragon's professional glass kilns the color black signifies Mercury Displacement Relays are often standard equipment.  Mercury Displacement Relays, also known as MDRs, are required in high amperage equipment with short on-off cycles needed to hold the temperature a specific point for a long period of time, such as glass kilns firing slumping or large fusing projects.  Dogwood Ceramic Supply strongly recommends MDRs to be installed on all glass kilns.  

    Pottery/Ceramic Kilns firing in a confined space, such as a closet or classroom, are required by standard building codes to either mechanically vent the kiln or the confined space.  Paragon offers the Auxiliary Output to simplify the electrical installation and digital controller operation of the Orton KilnVent.

    Glass artists may need to consider adding a lid safety switch or may desire a glass window to take a peak at their firing wares.  And there are always Orton Witness Cones that should be added to document the proper calibration of the kiln.

    Other options are not necessarily so well defined as to who needs the upgrade and who does not: 

    For high fire kilns (above 2000°F) there is the S-Type Thermocouples to upgrade over the K-Type thermocouple that is installed as standard equipment on every Paragon Kiln.  The S-Type Thermocouple is more resistant to temperature (longer lasting) and much more accurate than the K-Type.  The S-Type is also very fragile and is not necessarily the perfect upgrade for every customer, especially schools or recreation departments with many potentially careless people loading the kiln.

    APM Elements is an option that is applicable to a very small number of kiln customers.  In simple terms APM Elements are an expensive element upgrade for those who need longer lasting, hotter firing elements typical in some industrial applications as well as potters with some exotic glaze combinations.

   The 3 Zone Control is the least needed major option offered on Paragon Pottery Kilns.  The least needed.  In fact the 3 Zone Control is found on far, far less than 1% of the large pottery kilns sold by Dogwood.  But there are customers who need that level of control and the option exists.

Other Important Basics

    Every kiln customer should review What is My Voltage before purchasing a new kiln.  Reading the article and taking 5 minutes of time can save you a bundle on trying to fix a problem that should have never occurred.

    Unless you live, work and play in the Dogwood Ceramic Supply warehouse, eventually your new kiln will need to find its way to your home, school or studio.  What will it take to deliver your new kiln?  That all depends upon whether you are picking the kiln up from our warehouse or if the kiln is being delivered by the freight company.  Either way, reading the chapter on Kiln Delivery is strongly recommended.

    Oh, and unlike some of our competitors who dream up freight charges based upon the size of the customer's wallet, Dogwood Ceramic Supply has pre-calculated Paragon Freight Rates for about 99% of the Continental USA.  Why for only 99% of the Continental USA ?  Well if you live in Alligator, Big Sandy or Cut Bank you already know the answer and the everybody else can figure it out when they check the map.

    Paragon Kiln Repair, Service and Support Questions have been consolidated into a single chapter written in the style of frequently asked questions because some of the questions are ......drum roll please..... frequently asked.  If you need to order kiln parts, always remember to provide us with both the SN and PN to simplify the ordering process on parts specific to one's kiln.

    The one question that is not frequently asked by our customers but is a common search query for visitors landing on this webpage is the subject of used kilns.  No, Dogwood Ceramic Supply does not sell used kilns.

The Fine Print

    Dogwood Ceramic Supply's Paragon Kiln Prices are valid without exception to every customer.  A select group of kilns are kept in stock for immediate shipment or in-store purchase.  Special features and options or other models of kilns may require advance order.  Customer's location may influence the shipping point of kilns.  For a complete explanation please refer to Paragon Policy as well as Paragon Freight Rates.

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

Copyright 1996, Dogwood Ceramic Supply.
Updated 2003-2012.
Additional supporting information provided by Paragon and Orton.

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

  This extensive section of information on Paragon Kilns was written by Dogwood Ceramic Supply to assist kiln buyers selecting the proper kiln and accessories for their needs.