Paragon Silver Clay Kilns

Paragon SC Kilns for Silver Clay

    What are the Paragon SC kilns?  In Paragon lingo the SC means "Silver Clay".  The term "Silver Clay" started way back in the early 90's when Paragon began importing a line of clay like substance that was infused with real silver.  The clay was malleable and could be engraved with fine details.  When the clay product was fired to a relatively low temperature in a kiln the clay material, which really was an organic polymer rather than real clay, would burn off leaving behind the silver that had been infused in the clay product.  The SC-2 and then later the SC-3 were developed specifically to use with the Silver Clay.

    Today the Paragon SC kilns are used with all of the Art Clays on the market.  Regardless of whether the clay is called Precious Metal Clay, Silver Clay, Art Clay, Gold Clay, PMC or PMC Clay, the terms all refer to various types of combustible organic polymer infused with a high value metal that is fired in a kiln to reduce (burn-off) the base material leaving behind a shell of metal.

    Besides for use with Silver Clay, the Paragon SC kilns can be used for just about any material that fires to 2000°F and for that reason the SC Kilns remained in Paragon's kiln line long after Paragon had stopped importing the Silver Clay.  Very small glass, decals and other low temperature projects can be easily handled by the Paragon SC kilns.  While low-fire earthenware ceramics may fall within this firing range, Dogwood Ceramic Supply does not recommend the Paragon SC kilns for use with ceramics as the chamber size is just far too small to be of much use.  If you are looking for a small 120v kiln for ceramic projects may we recommend the Paragon Xpress 1193 as the Paragon Xpress 1193 is only a few dollars more in cost but has a much larger firing chamber, higher temperature rating and is a much better value for ceramic projects.  For dedicated glass artists the Paragon Fusion 7 is a much better value of a kiln with a huge firing chamber for about the same cost as the Paragon SC-2.  For more information about small Paragon kilns, please refer to Dogwood Ceramic Supply's small kiln comparison.

    With all those choices many customers find selecting a SC kiln quite bewildering.  Actually it is not a very difficult process.  Start with the basics... the Paragon SC-2 (shown at the top of this page).  The Paragon SC-2 has a chamber (interior) size of 8.00" wide x 7.75" deep x 5.75" high.  The first step in the selection process is to determine whether the Paragon SC-3 (shown at the bottom of the kiln pictures above) would be a more suitable kiln for your size projects.  The Paragon SC-3 is exactly 2" taller than the SC-2.  Those two inches add $80 to the price of the SC-3 over the SC-2.  The two additional inches might be useful for firing a ceramic coffee cup that would never fit into the SC-2.  Yet, if you really need those 2" additional inches in height you might be better off to consider the Paragon Xpress 1193 which has a significantly larger volume chamber and higher temperature than the SC-3.  Most customers will select the less expensive Paragon SC-2 over the SC-3 as the two additional inches of height really were not that useful versus the added cost.

    The only other step in the selection process is to choose from the 3 different door options.  Actually 4 different door options if you could the base model with a solid door.  The Door with Window (2" x 2" in size) adds the ability to view the projects firing (useful for fusing glass) without having to open the kiln door.  The Bead Door allows the user to anneal glass beads through the use of the built in mandrel.  The Bead Door with Window (1" x 3" in size) allows both project inspection and the ability to anneal glass beads.  Of the four door variations, the kiln with the solid door or the kiln with the Door with Window are the two most popular configurations.

See, selecting a Paragon SC Kiln is not very confusing.

Standard Features for every Paragon Silver Clay Kiln:
◊ Multiple purpose kiln, 2000°F (Cone 04) maximum temperature
◊ Ceramic Fiber insulation for bottom, walls, roof and door.
◊ Element imbedded in the ceramic fiber insulation(side walls)
◊ Electrical components are mounted in the built in louvered base to remain cool during the firing.
◊ Top vent on kiln chamber fitted with tapered plug for lost wax casting.
◊ Includes a 1/4” thick ceramic fiber shelf
◊ Single Zone K Type Thermocouple temperature sensor and control
◊ Sentry Xpress 3-Key Digital Controller
◊ Fiber kiln shelf kit included
◊ Available in 120v and export 240v.

Standard Options for every Paragon Silver Clay Kiln:
◊ Furniture Kit for glass
        1 C-7 Full Shelf (7" x 7" x ⅝" thick)
        1” wide Square Posts, 4 of each: 1" length
        Furniture Kit Shipping Weight: 4 lbs.
◊ *Viewing Window
◊ *Bead Door
◊ *Bead Door with Viewing Window

      * Always wear appropriate safety equipment when handling a bead door or looking through a viewing window.

2012 Paragon SC Silver Clay Kiln Options

Paragon SC-2 Silver Clay Kiln

Specifications for Paragon SC-2 Silver Clay Kiln:
◊ 0.19 cubic foot interior: 8.00" wide x 7.75" deep x 5.75" high
◊ 1,440 watts of power.  Requires #14 wire, 15 amp circuit breaker, NEMA 5-15 receptacle
◊ Shipping weight 36 lbs.

2012 Paragon SC-2 Silver Clay Kiln Prices

2012 Paragon SC-3 Silver Clay Kiln

Specifications for Paragon SC-3 Silver Clay Kiln:
◊ 0.28 cubic foot interior: 7.75" wide x 8.00" deep x 7.75" high
◊ 1,800 watts of power.  Requires #12 wire, 20 amp circuit breaker, NEMA 5-15 receptacle
◊ Shipping weight 41 lbs.

2012 Paragon SC-3 Silver Clay Kiln Prices

Shipping Costs for all Paragon SC Silver Clay Kilns:

    Dogwood Ceramic Supply offers simplified UPS shipping on the Paragon SC Silver Clay Kilns for the convenience of the consumer:

Commercial locations and Schools via UPS $20.00
Residential via UPS $25.00

The simplified UPS rates include applicable insurance, oversized package fees and an allowance for the fuel surcharge.
The simplified UPS rates are based upon multiple shipping locations and have been averaged for the convenience of the consumer
The Optional Glass Furniture Kit can be shipped in the kiln box and the extra weight does not increase the shipping costs.

   The location of the customer will determine the shipping point (Dogwood Ceramic Supply warehouse or the Paragon factory) to qualify for the simplified shipping rates.

Paragon Catalog Home

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

    The Paragon SC Kilns are used with all of the Art Clays on the Market. Regardless of whether the clay is Precious Metal Clay, Silver Clay, Art Clay, Gold Clay, PMC or PMC Clay, the terms all refer to various types of organic polymer infused with a high value metal that is fired in a kiln to reduce (burn off) the base material leaving behind a shell of metal.