Paragon Xpress 1193 Kiln

The Biggest Little Kiln That Can

    Ever read the story about the little caboose that thought it could?  Well the Paragon Xpress 1193 is the small kiln that thinks it is a big kiln and, like the little caboose, actually does deliver the performance of a big kiln. Capable of firing to Cone 8 with adequate interior volume for many hobby clay projects the Paragon Xpress 1193 is the ideal home kiln for potter and ceramist apartment dwellers who are unable to wire their home for a larger kiln requiring 240v electrical service.

    But like all 120v kilns the Paragon Xpress 1193 does have several draw backs:

    The first big drawback is size.  How cute, the big drawback is size.  Seriously, the model number of the Paragon Xpress 1193 refers to the interior size of the kiln: 11" wide and 9" depth combined with 3" wall bricks for improved energy efficiency to allow the kiln to easily reach critical temperatures.  The 11" width is measured from side wall to side wall which is the narrowest point within the kiln.  There is a wee bit of extra room that can be found in the corners where the side wall bricks join together, however the 11" really should be considered 10" of width as one must allow for the expansion of the objects being fired in the kiln.  The same 1" loss in the vertical height should also be considered for the same reason.  So, from a practical perspective, the Paragon Xpress 1193 should only be used to fire clay objects smaller than 10" x 8".... and that assumes one is firing directly upon the brick bottom of the kiln without stilting the piece or using a kiln shelf as a false bottom.  And one last thing, that 10" of width is also limited by the thermocouple sticks into the kiln chamber approximately 1".  While the thermocouple can be worked around for most pieces it could prevent a 10" wide piece, such as a vase or bowl, from having adequate space for firing.  Bottom line, the Paragon Xpress 1193 Kiln may sound like it has a big chamber but in reality the chamber size may be rather limited.

    Secondly the Paragon Xpress 1193 draws 18 amps of electricity.  Domestic 120v electrical service is limited to 20 amp circuit breakers.  While the Paragon Xpress 1193 Kiln will work on the typical household circuit breaker it is impossible to have another electrical appliance on that circuit operating at the same time as this kiln.

    And lastly the Paragon Xpress 1193 Kiln requires a NEMA 5-20R dedicated electrical outlet.  Outlets are fairly inexpensive (typically $5 to $10), however changing the outlet to accommodate the Paragon Xpress 1193 will limit what other appliances can use that outlet.

    Are there alternatives to the Paragon Xpress 1193?  To be blunt, yes and no.  Dedicated glass artists should always purchase the wonderfully fantastic (and less expensive) Paragon Fusion 7.  And there are a number of small front loading kilns what would be better (read equal to or less expensive) for jewelry or metal clay.  But for clay... the Paragon Xpress 1193 is pretty much it... because buying smaller is not practical.... and is by no means smarter when the smaller kilns are as much or often more expensive than the Xpress 1193.

    So who buys the Paragon Xpress 1193?  Apartment dwellers!  And mobile home owners, condo owners as well as people renting a house.  Basically anybody doing clay projects that does not have the luxury of wiring for a much larger kiln.

    Because of the popularity of the Paragon Xpress 1193 with apartment dwellers, Dogwood Ceramic Supply actually sells many of these kilns every year.  We use an earlier model of this size kiln in our business as an overflow kiln or to handle odd ball firing temperatures needed by customers.  Like we have previously said the Paragon Xpress 1193 is the best all around 120v, small kiln on the market.  But size is important.  If you limit the size of the wares that you want to fire, the Paragon Xpress 1193 can be ideal kiln for use in an apartment / condo / mobile home.

    For more information about small Paragon kilns, please refer to the Paragon Small Kiln Comparison.

Paragon Xpress 1193 Kiln Standard Features:
◊ Multiple purpose kiln, 2300°F (Cone 8) maximum temperature
◊ 0.56 cubic foot interior: 11" wide x 9" deep
◊ 3" insulating firebrick on walls, bottom and lid
◊ Reversible brick bottom
◊ Full-formed galvanized steel base plate to reinforce the brick bottom
◊ Lock-in Lid support
◊ One piece construction, with hand lifts
◊ Heavy Duty Stand with plastic mar-proof feet
◊ Sentry Xpress 3-Key Digital Controller
◊ 2,160 watts of power.  Requires #12 wire, NEMA 5-20R receptacle, 20 amp circuit breaker.
◊ Single Zone K Type Thermocouple temperature sensor and control
◊ Available in 120v
◊ Doorway clearance is 22".
◊ Shipping weight 111 lbs.
◊ Shipping box/crate is approximately 31"l x 30"w x 20"h.

Paragon Xpress 1193 Kiln Option:
◊ Furniture Kit:
     1 C-10 Full Shelf (10" Hexagon shelf x ½" thick)
     1 C-10H Half Shelf (10" Hexagon shelf x ½" thick)
     1” wide Square Posts, 3 of each: 1", 2" and 3" lengths
     1 lb Kiln Wash
     Furniture Kit Shipping Weight: 10 lbs.
◊ Deluxe Stand w/ casters
◊ Lid Safety Switch
◊ APM Element

2012 Paragon Xpress 1193 Kiln Prices

Shipping Costs for the Paragon Xpress 1193:

    Dogwood Ceramic Supply offers simplified UPS shipping rates on the Paragon Xpress 1193 Kiln for the convenience of the consumer:

Commercial locations and Schools via UPS $50.00
Residential via UPS $55.00

Shipping Costs for the Paragon Xpress 1193 Furniture Kit:

Commercial locations and Schools via UPS $10.00
Residential via UPS $15.00

The simplified UPS rates include applicable insurance, oversized and over weight 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 Furniture Kit must be shipped separately from the kiln and as such incurs additional UPS charges.

   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.

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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

   The Paragon Xpress 1193 is the perfect small home kiln for clay artists without 240v access, such as apartment dwellers.