I need an HONEST opinion

[amberbryant1]

I getting ready to buy my first kiln. I have it narrowed down to a few. There is the AIM for $562, the Caldera for $640 I can pick this one up near by, Or the JEN Ken for $479, I think it is more for fusing. All are with digital controllers. I have no idea which one is better, longer lasting, easier to use. I need help from people with experience. So please, no lurking! Post people post! This is a life and death matter for all of the cracked beads and beads yet to crack in my house!
Thanks you guys!
amber

[Lisi]

I can only speak from my experience, but I have this one and have never regretted it. www.hotglassbeads.com

I have had it for about 3 years now, and no problems! I know one thing, if it ever breaks down completely, I would still go with another Paragon. My dad used them (their BIG kilns) for ceramics and they lasted 10+ with a few simple repairs. We sold them and last I heard, they are still being used! :D

[Cosmo]

Check out http://victorianartglass.biz/

They have the best prices I've found on AIM kilns...

[amberbryant1]

Thanks Chad, they are alot cheaper, but I am worried about shipping. I emailed them to get a quote.
amber

[artbyman]

I have a Paragon Caldera. My husband surprised me with it a year ago. He called Bullseye Glass to get their recommedation (1st mistake.)
Aneals just fine, however, this is what I don't like about the kiln:

The door is tiny, when you are working all day, you run out of room.
They have a stupid little shelf that is supposed to hold your rods up, problem is, that sucker gets hotter than heck! I had to take it off! Now my rods lie on the bottom of the kiln (but the beads are on a rack inside). Problem with that is, I have noticed the kiln floor where the door closes is getting chipped. The floor of a kiln is impossible to fix.
The door also has become a little loose(no way to tighten it) and has closed on my hand too many times, burning me.
The digital timer is confusing to work.
You can take the lid off the top for fusing, but it is not hinged, which I think is stupid.
All in all, I think for the money, it's a really stupid set up. Poor service when it came to my questions (about the door closing, the rack etc.).
I know a lot about kilns since I'm a ceramics major. I have a huge Skutt kiln which is easier to control then this one. I don't need to be a rocket scientist to use the digital controller.
My suggestion to you is to purchase from someone who is going to help you through the process when you have questions or problems.

[R4GlassStudio]

If your only annealing beads and not fusing, then the JenKen Chili Pepper is the best kiln on the market.

[artbyman]

I know that is why my husband bought the Caldera, in case I ever wanted to get into fusing (and that's why Bullseye recommended it). I agree, if it is just annealing that you need I wouldn't spend the $$$.

[SarahBoser]

I use the paragon caldera. This is my second one, after using it first in the UK. I also have the AF99, but since it doesn't have a digital controller I wanted an inexpensive kiln w/ a controller. (Yes, I could have just bought a controller for the AF99, but that required too much thought) It works fine and the controller is easy to use. I received a defective controller at first and the company was wonderful about working through the problem and sending a replacement board. It really is a good kiln for the money.

The downside is that it's small. Very small. I use shorter mandrels. The bead door is also small and mine pops slightly open, so I have to lean something up against it to keep it closed while I'm running the kiln.

I'd say, if you can swing the $$, go for a bigger kiln. The caldera's a nice little kiln, but it really is an entry level unit.

Sarah*B

[JavaGirlBT]

I say go for a wider kiln, like the Glasshive bead annealer/fuser or the Chili Pepper. I like to not let my beads touch, so these have lots of room for lots of beads and no kiss marks.

I should say that my first kiln was a Caldera and I feel about it the same way Artbyman feels. Waaay too small.

[amberbryant1]

http://www.aimkilns.com/html/84bd.html

does anyone know anything about the AIM 84bd kiln? It looks entry size, but it's a better price. It's a better proce at the sight COSMO sent me to, they ship to my house for $40. That's a deal!

[sassy]

http://www.aimkilns.com/html/84bd.html

does anyone know anything about the AIM 84bd kiln? It looks entry size, but it's a better price. It's a better proce at the sight COSMO sent me to, they ship to my house for $40. That's a deal!


This is the kiln I have. It's a great kiln if I get it figured out. I didn't get the digital controler. Mine has the manual and it's hard to get the temp s just right. If I could do it over I would get an automatic digital controller

[PaulaD]

I LOVE the Chili Pepper! I use them at home and in the studio!
And I sell them at a great price! (Just beacuse I like them!)
Here is a link to more information!
http://www.tincityartglassllc.com/ChiliPepper.html
Paula

[JennyC]

Are you only using this kiln for annealing? I'd say go for the Chili pepper kiln (even though I've never used it-I have considered getting one so that my caldera isn't always tied up).

If you are going to be fusing too, I have the caldera as one of my 3 kilns. I LOVE my caldera. It gets used the most because it is so versatile. In addition to annealing, you can fuse, it goes hot enough to do small ceramics in it (if you wanted-I never have) and it can be used to do vitrigraph stringers because it is in sections. The controller is easy to use. Maybe the other person has a different controller. The bad thing is you have to scroll through the numbers because it is only 3 key. You can't just punch in 960. However, as long as I'm just making beads, it doesn't matter because it saves the schedule last used. All I gotta do is start it. No programming necessary and the manual is easy to understand.

The bead door is small. However, once beads have been in there a good 30 min.- 1 hour, I just start stacking the ones first made to create more space for new beads. It also has a small lever thing sticking out that I hold onto while putting the mandrel in. I've never burned myself on that. I use a stainless steel rod rest for the mandrels. I put it in the center of the floor of the kiln propped up on kiln bricks so that it's easier to get the mandrels in without sticking my face right up to the opening.

[IF-Designs]

http://cdvkiln.com/menuglas.htm
there are alot of options here...
I really like CDV as well very helpful folks
I would go with the Jen Ken with digital controller :) You can get a bead box one if you dont plan on torching alot or for several hours its small but is a good lil kiln or you can move up to the hex style kilns with the single or double bead door Ive found the Double door the most helpful.

[amberbryant1]

I would like to learn to fuse. If I have a kiln that will fire ceramics, I know at some point I will try that too! I love to try new things. Speaking of which...my husband is on my case to do something with all of my soapmaking supplies that I've negleted since finding lampwork. I still make some soap, just not enough.

[IF-Designs]

Definately look into the double tall jen ken bead annealer if you call up to CDVkiln they can hook you up with one with a kiln with a heavier duty element for fusing :) my kiln has that :)

[Moth]

http://www.aimkilns.com/html/84bd.html

does anyone know anything about the AIM 84bd kiln? It looks entry size, but it's a better price. It's a better proce at the sight COSMO sent me to, they ship to my house for $40. That's a deal!

This is the kiln that I have used for over 3 years and I adore it.

I have the fuji digital controller that would be beyotch to program if I didn't have the layman's terms directions someone posted on the internet.

I like the stack construction. I do have the extra bead door ring. You take the bead door ring out to use it for fusing.

I bought mind off ebay and paid $50 to ship it so $40 is a good deal seems to me.

Have fun shopping!
~~Mary

[hummingbird3172]

http://www.aimkilns.com/html/84bd.html

does anyone know anything about the AIM 84bd kiln? It looks entry size, but it's a better price. It's a better proce at the sight COSMO sent me to, they ship to my house for $40. That's a deal!

I have this one too and I love it!