Best Pyrometric Cones for Accurate, Repeatable Kiln Firings
Updated How we research
A digital controller tells you the temperature inside your kiln. A pyrometric cone tells you what actually happened to your clay, because cones measure heatwork, the combination of temperature and time that matures a glaze. Experienced potters run witness cones in every glaze firing, and kiln manufacturers ask for cone evidence before honoring element warranties. This guide covers the cone brands and formats worth buying, when self-supporting cones justify their higher price over standard cones, and which numbers to keep on hand for bisque and glaze work. We also explain reading a bent cone correctly, placing cones across shelves to map hot spots, and building a simple firing log around them.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 9.1 out of 10.
- Best overall:Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic Kiln Firings - Cone 6 (1 Pkg/50). Highest overall score in this guide at 9.1/10.
- Also great value:Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic Kiln Firings - Cone 06 (1 Pkg/50). Value score of 9/10, overall 8.8/10.
- Solid build:Orton Small Pyrometric Cones for Kiln Sitter 06 (50). Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.8/10.
- Feature-rich:Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic Kiln Firings - Cone 05 (1 Pkg/50). Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic Kiln Firings - Cone 6 (1 Pkg/50)
Orton pyrometric cones, Cone 6, 1 Pkg/50, the go-to witness cone for mid fire stoneware firings.
Our score9.1/10Budget
Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic Kiln Firings - Cone 06 (1 Pkg/50)
Orton pyrometric cones, Cone 06, 1 Pkg/50, for monitoring low fire bisque and glaze kiln firings.
Our score8.8/10Budget
#1Orton pyrometric cones, Cone 6, 1 Pkg/50, the go-to witness cone for mid fire stoneware firings.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Cone 6 is the most popular mid fire target for home potters
- + Shows whether your kiln controller is reading accurately
- + Orton cones behave consistently from box to box
- - Mid fire only, so low fire potters need a different number
- - Best used with guide cones on either side, bought separately
#2Orton pyrometric cones, Cone 06, 1 Pkg/50, for monitoring low fire bisque and glaze kiln firings.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Cone 06 is a common bisque and low fire glaze target
- + Orton is the industry standard for pyrometric cones
- + Pack of 50 lasts through many bisque and glaze firings
- - Cone 06 only suits low fire, so stoneware potters need other cones
- - Large cones need cone packs or holders to stand correctly
#3Orton small pyrometric cones for kiln sitter, 06, pack of 50, for automatic shutoff in low fire firings.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Small cones fit kiln sitter mechanisms precisely
- + Pack of 50 covers many low fire bisque and glaze loads
- + Reliable shutoff keeps manual kilns from overfiring
- - Only works with kiln sitter equipped kilns
- - Low fire number, so it does not suit mid fire loads
#4Orton pyrometric cones, Cone 05, 1 Pkg/50, for checking low fire and slightly hotter glaze firings.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Cone 05 helps confirm low fire glazes matured properly
- + Witness cones show heat work, not just a thermocouple reading
- + 50 cones in a pack keep you supplied for a long time
- - Only useful if your clay or glaze targets Cone 05
- - Needs to be set in a cone pack at the correct angle
#5Orton pyrometric cones, Cone 04, 1 Pkg/50, for monitoring hotter bisque and low fire glaze firings.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Cone 04 is a common hotter bisque firing target
- + Helps diagnose underfired or overfired low fire loads
- + Pack of 50 is economical for regular firings
- - Narrow use if you do not bisque or glaze at Cone 04
- - Cones must be stored dry to stay accurate
#6Orton BRB O6 pyrometric bar cones for kiln sitters on ceramic kilns firing to the low fire range.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Bar cones fit the kiln sitter on manual kilns to shut them off
- + Orton quality gives reliable shutoff at the target heat work
- + Handy replacement for kilns that use sitter bars
- - Only for kilns with a kiln sitter, not digital-only models
- - Check the pack count covers your firing schedule needs
#7Orton SRB017 small cones, Cone 017, 50/Box, for accurate decal, luster and overglaze firings.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cone 017 matches common decal and luster firing targets
- + 50/Box gives lots of cones for repeat decoration firings
- + Usable in industrial, pottery and hobby kilns
- - Too low a cone for bisque and regular glaze firings
- - Only useful for potters who add decals or lusters
#8Orton BRB017 pyrometric bar cones for kiln sitters when firing decals, lusters and china paint.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 017 range suits overglaze, decal and luster firings
- + Bar format drops into kiln sitters for automatic shutoff
- + Orton accuracy prevents overfiring delicate decals
- - Very low temperature range is not for bisque or glaze firing
- - Check the pack count matches your firing schedule needs
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Mid fire only, so low fire potters need a different number (Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic...)
- Cone 06 only suits low fire, so stoneware potters need other cones (Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic...)
- Only works with kiln sitter equipped kilns (Orton Small Pyrometric Cones for Kiln Sitter...)
- Only useful if your clay or glaze targets Cone 05 (Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic...)
- Narrow use if you do not bisque or glaze at Cone 04 (Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic...)
- Only for kilns with a kiln sitter, not digital-only models (Orton BRB O6 Pyrometric Bar Cones for Ceramic...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among pyrometric cones for accurate, repeatable kiln firings?
Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic Kiln Firings - Cone 6 (1 Pkg/50) is our top overall pick. Orton pyrometric cones, Cone 6, 1 Pkg/50, the go-to witness cone for mid fire stoneware firings. It earns our score of 9.1/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Orton Pyrometric Cones For Monitoring Ceramic Kiln Firings - Cone 06 (1 Pkg/50) is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Orton pyrometric cones, Cone 06, 1 Pkg/50, for monitoring low fire bisque and glaze kiln firings.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Pottery Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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