Seattle Pottery Supply 12" by 9" Electric Pottery Kiln, 120V, Cone 6, Bartlett V6CF Digital Controller Review (2026)

Who this small kiln fits

This is the smallest top-loading kiln in Seattle Pottery Supply's lineup, with a 12 inch diameter and 9 inch deep interior, aimed at potters who do not have the space or electrical service for a full-size studio kiln but still want to fire their own work at home rather than relying on a shared community kiln. It suits beginners testing glazes and small forms, students working on a handful of pieces at a time, and hobbyists in an apartment or small house where a large 240V kiln is not practical. It is not built for anyone trying to fire a full dinnerware set or large sculptural pieces in one load, since the interior is genuinely compact.

Why 120V and Cone 6 matter for where it can go

The main thing that sets this kiln apart from Seattle Pottery Supply's larger models is that it runs on a standard 120V household circuit rather than 240V, needing only a 20 amp breaker and a common outlet instead of a dedicated high-voltage line, which means it can often go in a garage, basement or spare room without an electrician's involvement. It fires up to Cone 6, which covers low fire and mid fire stoneware and most glazes a home or classroom potter is likely to use, though it will not reach the Cone 10 high fire range that the company's larger 240V kilns support. Like the bigger models, it is built with 3 inch fire brick for insulation.

Setting it up and running a firing

The kiln includes a Bartlett V6CF digital controller, the same unit used across Seattle Pottery Supply's larger kilns, so a beginner can program a firing schedule with specific ramp rates and hold times instead of watching a kiln sitter or cone by eye. A lid brace is standard equipment to help lift and support the lid safely, and the thermocouple is positioned so it can be replaced in under 10 minutes if it wears out, which keeps ongoing maintenance manageable for someone without kiln repair experience. Because the kiln is compact, it still needs clearance and ventilation around it even at this size, so it should not be tucked into a tight closet or unventilated space regardless of running on a household circuit.

How it compares with the larger Seattle Pottery kilns

Against the company's 18 by 27 inch Cone 10 kiln, this 12 by 9 inch model gives up chamber size and top firing temperature in exchange for a much simpler electrical hookup and a smaller footprint, which makes it the more realistic choice for a first kiln in a home without 240V service already installed. Compared with generic imported kilns in a similar size class, the tradeoff runs the other way, since this kiln costs more but comes from a company that has built kilns in Seattle since 1975 and backs it with a 1 year warranty and ETL certification, rather than a lower-cost import with less of a track record.

Verdict and who needs more kiln

This kiln makes sense for a beginner or hobbyist who wants to fire mid fire stoneware at home from a standard outlet and is working in small batches, whether that is test tiles, mugs or a handful of small pieces at a time. It is the wrong choice for anyone who needs Cone 10 high fire range or wants to load a full shelf of larger pieces per firing, both of which call for one of Seattle Pottery Supply's bigger 240V kilns instead. For a first kiln with modest space and power on hand, though, it removes the biggest barrier most beginners face, which is finding a place to plug in a kiln at all.

Frequently asked questions