KILN SHELVES

Most kiln shelves are made from cordierite-mullite, silicon carbide, or high-alumina materials. Cordierite-mullite is the common, budget-friendly option for ceramics, while silicon carbide and advancer-style shelves are thinner, stronger, and better for even heat in glass and high-fire work.

Yes, for most ceramic and glass firing you should apply kiln wash to the top surface to stop glaze or glass from bonding to the shelf. Reapply when the coating chips or wears, and scrape off any drips before they fire onto the shelf permanently.

You can, but it is better to keep separate shelves for each. Glaze contamination from pottery can flaw glass surfaces, and glass slumping needs a very flat shelf. A dedicated, washed or Thinfire-covered shelf gives the cleanest results for fusing.

We stock kiln shelves for sale in a range of sizes, shapes, and materials for ceramics, glass, and heat treating. Filter by your kiln model or interior size to find a shelf that fits, and pair it with posts for stable stacking.

Measure your kiln's interior and choose a shelf that leaves space around the edges for heat circulation. Round kilns usually take half-round or full-round shelves, while square and rectangular kilns take square shelves. Small kiln shelves suit test and tabletop kilns.