Pottery Kiln & Studio Equipment Blog

How Often Do Kiln Elements Need Replacing, and What Does It Cost?

Kiln elements typically last 1 to 5 years, or roughly 100 to 200 firings, before needing replacement. The exact lifespan depends heavily on firing temperature and frequency. A real documented example on a Skutt 818 shows elements lasting close to 1,000 firings. A full replacement on that model ran around $750, including labor. Higher-fire, more […]

How to Choose Between Different Pug Mill Brands

Choosing between pug mill brands mostly comes down to two names. Peter Pugger and Shimpo dominate studio-scale pug mills. Both build genuinely reliable machines, but they work differently under the hood. Peter Pugger’s compact models are true pugger-mixers, built to take bone-dry scraps straight from the bucket. Shimpo’s compact models are traditionally pug-only, meaning your […]