Fire With Confidence!

The Ultimate Guide to Kilns and Ovens is here!

The definitive, user-focused roadmap to help you choose the right tools, fire safely, troubleshoot any issue, and master your kiln firing process—whether you work in ceramics, glass, metal, or heat treating.
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The only kiln resource you’ll ever need
🔥Now Available In Print!

The Ultimate Guide to Kilns and Ovens

Empowers kiln users to navigate every stage of kiln use with ease. Bringing reliable, plain language knowledge into one trusted resource. It eliminates hours of searching, reducing costly mistakes, replacing uncertainty with clarity, so users can focus on creating, producing, and operating with confidence.
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What Makes Kiln Academy Different

Kiln Academy is the only brand neutral kiln education platform that consolidates decades of real‑world kiln experience into one clear, reliable system, helping users understand, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain their kilns with confidence for the life of their equipment.

  • Lifecycle education vs one‑off fixes
  • Brand‑neutral guidance vs manufacturer bias
  • Plain‑language clarity vs technical overwhelm
  • Confidence‑building systems vs fragmented advice
The Kiln Academy’s Ultimate Guide to Kilns & Ovens is the clearest, most practical roadmap you’ll find for understanding and using kilns with confidence.

If you’re ready to choose the right kiln, master firing schedules, and gain confidence in your practice, this guide was built to get you there.
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A Peek Inside Your New Roadmap...
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The Digital Masterclass: Ultimate Guide to Kilns & Ovens

The Digital Masterclass: Ultimate Guide to Kilns & Ovens
$99.95 USD $149.95 USD
Section 1: Kiln Basics

The Anatomy of a Kiln, Glossary of Key Kiln & Electrical Terms, Kiln and Oven Uses
Section 2: Picking Your Perfect Kiln

Understanding Volts, Plugs & Outlets, Gas vs. Electric Kilns, Controllers, Cost/Energy Use, Specialty Features, Kiln Construction, All Your Choices
Section 3: Operating Your Kiln

OVER 80 PAGES! Delivery & Setup, Safety & Maintenance, Loading, Using Cones & Peepholes, Information about Shelves, Understanding temperature Ranges, Common Problems and their fixes, Spotting Signs of Trouble
Section 4: Diving In: Ceramics

Creating a Home Studio, Bisque/Glaze Firing, Temperature Ranges, Reduction Firing, and lot's more!
Section 5: Heat Treating 101

Understanding Metal Processes, Knife Making, Heat Treating Steel and Aluminum
Section 6: Beginner’s Guide to Glass Fusing

Understanding Glass Processes, Materials, Steps on How to Fuse Glass
Section 7: Resources

Manufacturers, Controllers, Repair Directory
Section 8: Step-By-Step Troubleshooting Checklists

OVER 70 PAGES! Kiln Power Issues, Heating Issues, Error Codes, Thermocouple Issues, Element Issues, Brick Repair, Relay Issues, Controller Issues, and more!!
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The only kiln resource you’ll ever need

Inside, You Will Discover The Power To:
  • Pick your Perfect Kiln: Finally understand volts, plugs, outlets, and the pros and cons of electric vs. gas. Stop making expensive purchasing mistakes!

  • Operate & Maintain with Confidence: Get step-by-step instructions on setup, safety, loading, and performing essential maintenance to keep your investment running for years.
Book cover of 'The Ultimate Guide to Kilns and Ovens' by Gail Stouffer on a white background
  • Troubleshoot Anything: Access exhaustive checklists and guides for error codes, heating issues, element replacement, relay checks, and brick repair. Fix problems fast without calling an expensive tech.

  • Master Your Craft: Dive deep into specific processes, from bisque and glaze firing in ceramics to heat-treating steel for knife making and the fundamentals of glass fusing.

What Other Makers Are Saying

5.00 ★ (4)
Verified

Built From 20 Years of Real-World Experience

"I know exactly what it’s like to stand in front of a kiln, confused, facing a jumble of wires, with a mountain of kiln questions. What started as a personal hunt for the perfect kiln quickly became a full-fledged mission: to help fellow makers find the right tools, avoid expensive mistakes, and fire with confidence."

— Gail Stouffer, Author

About The Author
Written by industry expert Gail Stouffer, this guide distills 20 years of real-world kiln experience across studios, classrooms, and even the kiln manufacturing floor.
This guide brings all of that knowledge together so you can avoid costly mistakes, understand how kilns truly work, and fire successfully from day one.
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The Guide Endorsed By Manufacturers

“Gail Stouffer delivers the clarity and confidence people need when they enter the kiln world... This guide reflects that depth of experience. It removes confusion, answers real questions, and gives makers, teachers, and professionals a reliable path forward... The Ultimate Guide to Kilns and Ovens will add immediate value across our entire industry.”

— Todd Lokash, President and Owner, Paragon Industries L.P.

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Frequently Asked Questions
How deep does the guide go for my level?

The Ultimate Guide to Kilns and Ovens is the perfect companion reference for all kiln ownership levels!

The guide is comprehensive and easy to understand for beginners who need to get beyond the basics as they build their knowledge and make those early purchasing and operating decisions.

Intermediate and experienced kiln owners and operators will be excited by the hundreds of pages of in-depth information that gets to the heart of issues that occur through long-term kiln and oven ownership.

The searchable guide contains a glossary of terms, a user-friendly index, and table of contents that will guide all levels directly to the information you need, when you need it.
Will I learn about all kiln brands?

YES! All of the concepts and terms in the book apply to all kiln brands. Since all kilns require a heat source (elements), as well as a controller, a temperature measurement device (thermocouple), and the internal parts and wiring (transformers, relays, switches, fuses) to regulate electrical current throughout a firing, the content in the book covers the entire universal knowledge base that every kiln owner needs to know regardless of brand.
When will I get my order?

Digital downloads and printable worksheets are available immediately after payment. You will be emailed links to your downloads and will have access to them forever!

Hard copy book orders will ship 3-5 days from your order date. Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email with tracking information. Delivery times vary depending on your location.
Can I get just the hard copy?

The guide can be purchased two ways.

1) Our Digital Masterclass is for readers who prefer having the guide available on their phone, tablet, and desktop. This version allows for easy searches that take you directly to the information you need when you need it. The digital version is your pocket go-to reference for trouble shooting, diagnostics, and learning topic-by-topic.

  • The Digital Masterclass not only includes the 316-page Digital E-Book, it includes a the 2-hour companion video class based on the book, and printable checklists for kiln maintenance, firing logs, and more! For learners who prefer to watch as the information is presented, the video is the perfect addition to push your knowledge further.

2) The Complete Tool Kit is for kiln owners who want all the benefits of digital, and prefer owning a hard copy version of the book as well. The 316-page hard copy book is full color and easy-to-read, with gorgeous photos, helpful charts, loads of checklists, and more!!

THE COMPLETE TOOL KIT INCLUDES:

  • The 316-page hard copy book - Ideal as a hands-on reference for note taking, as a studio handbook, and a teaching guide.

  • PLUS! Everything in the Digital Masterclass!

  • The 316-page Digital E-Book - Available for your phone, tablet, and desktop allowing for easily searches that take you directly to the information you need when you need it. The digital version is your pocket go-to reference for trouble shooting, the kit also includes a

  • The 2-hour companion video class based on the book.

  • Printable checklists for kiln maintenance, firing logs, and more!
What happens if I purchased the Digital Masterclass and then want The Complete Tool Kit?

It's easy! We're happy to help! Just reach out to us at admin@kilnacademy.com and we'll email you a link to upgrade your package and get the hard copy book right away!
Can I teach with this content or share it with friends?

Here is a summary of the terms of use for all content downloads.

SUMMARY OF THE LICENSE AGREEMENT - TERMS OF USE

This document is a binding legal contract
between Kiln Academy, LLC and any person who downloads or accesses the
eBook titled "The Kiln Academy." By downloading the file, you
automatically agree to these terms.

1. Scope of the License

  • Personal Use Only: You are granted a limited, non-exclusive license to use the eBook for personal, non-commercial purposes.
  • No Ownership: You do not own the eBook; Kiln Academy retains all intellectual property rights.
  • Restrictions:
    You cannot redistribute, resell, lend, lease, sublicense, or share the
    eBook. You are also prohibited from modifying, translating, or
    reverse-engineering the content.

2. Prohibited Actions

  • No Sharing: You cannot grant access to third parties or federal programs without written consent of the publisher. Non-Transferable: You cannot give the file to a friend or colleague.
  • No Automation:
    Use of bots or scripts to download or distribute the book is forbidden.
    Using the contents of the book to train AI large language learning
    models is prohibited.
  • Notices: You must not remove or alter any copyright or trademark notices within the file. No Derivatives: You cannot change the text or use parts of it to create your own book or course.
  • Using the eBook for Business or TeachingThe license is strictly for personal, non-commercial purposes. You cannot use the eBook to teach a paid workshop, include it in a corporate training library, or charge people to view it.

    Need more? If you want to use it for a school or a business, Section 1.2 says you must get "express written consent" from Kiln Academy first.

3. Liability and Warranties

  • "As Is" Basis: The eBook is provided without any warranties (no guarantee of merchantability or fitness for a specific purpose).
  • Limited Liability: Kiln Academy is not liable for any damages resulting from your use or misuse of the book.
  • Indemnification: You agree to defend and pay for legal claims against Kiln Academy if those claims arise from your breach of this agreement.

4. Termination

  • At-Will Termination: Kiln Academy can terminate your license at any time, without cause and without notice.
  • Consequences: If the license is terminated, you must immediately delete all copies of the eBook in your possession.

5. Legal Terms

  • Governing Law: This agreement is governed by the laws of Texas.
  • Disputes: Any legal action must take place in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
  • Jury Waiver: Both parties waive the right to a jury trial; all disputes will be settled by a judge.

Need more? Check out this page for the full legal document: https://kilnacademy.com/pages/ebook-license-agreement
🔥Now Available In Print!

Why You Need The Kit...
The Ultimate Guide to Kilns & Ovens is the only brand-unbiased, full lifecycle kiln education tool kit that consolidates decades of real-world kiln experience into one trusted system designed to build confidence and empower kiln users for the life of their equipment.
Buy The Complete Print Version Buy The Digital Masterclass