Why Buy a Nabertherm Kiln?

A practical guide from the team at CCG, your New Zealand Nabertherm distributor

A kiln is a long-term investment, and it's normal to have questions before you buy one. Will it last? Will it be easy to use? Will it be affordable to run? And will someone be there to help if you need it?

These are the questions we hear most often from customers, and they're the reasons so many potters and studios choose Nabertherm. Here's how a Nabertherm kiln answers each one.

"I don't want to replace my kiln in a few years"

Nabertherm has been building kilns since 1947, when founder Conrad Naber started making pottery kilns for private use in Bremen, Germany. Today it's still a family-managed company, making furnaces for customers in more than 100 countries.

That experience shows up in everyday use. In the five years we've been selling Nabertherm kilns, we haven't had a customer's kiln reach the end of its life, including customers who fire theirs every day.

On the rare occasions bricks have cracked or been damaged, it has been due to a handling accident while loading, or to hairline fractures that don't affect how the kiln performs. And if bricks or elements ever do need replacing, Nabertherm provides video tutorials showing how to do it, and we're happy to talk you through it.

Kilns naturally expand and contract with the heat. Nabertherm kilns have tensioning straps on the outside that can be tightened or loosened to keep a firm grip on the bricks. Over time, that expanding and contracting can cause the tensioners to become loose, so keep an eye on them and adjust them when necessary. Make sure the kiln is switched off, unplugged and completely cool before you adjust anything, and ask us if you're unsure.

Marta G. Palacios of ohyokoceramics.com calls a Nabertherm top loader "unbeatable" when it comes to durability. (Source: nabertherm.com)

"I'm worried it'll be too complicated"

It isn't. Nabertherm kilns use the AC590 controller, a large touch screen that's really straightforward to use. It even includes a cone-firing assistant called "Conny", which walks you through setting up a firing step by step. When you visit the store, our team will show you how it works, so you can see for yourself before you buy.

There's also the free MyNabertherm app, which lets you monitor your firing from your phone and sends a notification when a program ends or if there's a fault. It connects through your Wi-Fi. 

Want the details? Nabertherm's AC590 controller guide covers all the features.

"I was immediately able to work intuitively with the controller." Samet can Alis, sametcanalis.com (Source: Nabertherm AC590 brochure)

"I've heard top loaders can have cold spots at the bottom"

A common issue with top loading kilns is a cold spot at the bottom of the kiln. In our experience, Nabertherm kilns haven't had this issue. The heating element sits low enough in the kiln that, based on our customers' experience and feedback, the heat stays very consistent throughout the kiln, with no cold spot at the bottom.

If you'd like to check for yourself, we recommend using pyrometric cones, small ceramic cones that bend at a set temperature, to test for consistent heating. If a cold spot ever does appear, we've typically found it's because an element needs replacing, not because of the design of the kiln.

The elements are also protected in grooves, and the kilns have multi-layer insulation. Hairline cracks can appear in the insulation after a short time, which is normal and has no effect on how the kiln works.

"I want to keep my running costs down"

A kiln that wastes heat costs you more with every firing. Nabertherm's top loaders combine efficient insulation with excellent firing results, and cool down faster than most comparable models. The controllers also include a Solar Mode that lets you use electricity from your own solar panels, with or without a battery. If you have solar at home or in your studio, that's worth asking us about.

What a firing costs depends on the size of your kiln, how full you pack it, the schedule you use and your power plan, so it's hard to give one figure. A few things help keep costs down: choose a size that suits your typical loads, pack the kiln well, use efficient firing schedules, and use off-peak or solar power where you can. The controller can delay the start of a firing, so you can take advantage of night-rate power. Nabertherm kilns are well regarded for their build quality, insulation and efficiency, and we're happy to talk through what that means for your own firings.

To read more, see Nabertherm's guide, Energy-Efficient Kilns for Sustainable Pottery.

"I really love my Nabertherm kilns." Izzy Letty, izzylettyceramics.com (Source: Nabertherm energy efficiency guide)

"I'm not sure which kiln is right for me"

That's the most common question of all, and it's the one we can help with most. The right kiln depends on who will be loading it, the work you make, how often you fire, the space you have and the power you've got available.

Come in and see the kilns in person. We'll help you work out what suits you, then give you a short checklist to take home: talk to an electrician about whether your power supply suits the kiln you've chosen, and check you have a room with 50cm of clearance on all sides and 1m above the kiln. Once you've done that, we'll confirm the right kiln for you before you buy.

Not sure whether you need a top loader or a chamber kiln? Read our guide: Top Loader or Chamber Kiln? What Really Decides it.

"I want someone local to help me"

When you buy a Nabertherm from CCG, you're buying from the New Zealand distributor, not importing it yourself, and our support doesn't end when the kiln arrives.

We set you up. We arrange delivery all over New Zealand. If you're within reasonable range of our Auckland site, we'll usually deliver the kiln ourselves, and one of our sales team will come along to the installation, whether you're a school, a hobbyist or a professional. If travelling isn't practical, we're happy to talk you through the same steps over the phone. We'll show you how to use the controller, check the room is suitable for the kiln, set up a couple of firing presets and make sure you feel confident. If you later want to change something, such as the controller settings, they're happy to talk you through it.

We're here to answer your questions. Any question or concern about your kiln or your firing process, just ask. If something comes up, we'll help you work out what's going on and point you to the solution, whether that's ordering a replacement part and sending you a video, or talking you through it over the phone.

Parts and replacements. We normally hold common parts in New Zealand, including heating element sets. We don't hold bricks, but we can get them in by air freight, which normally takes around 1 to 2 weeks. Nabertherm publishes videos showing how to replace elements and bricks. They're straightforward, and we haven't had a customer struggle to follow the steps. If you'd rather not do it yourself, a local electrician can replace an element for you.

Warranty. All our kilns come with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty.

See them in person

Photos and specifications can only tell you so much. Come into our store to see the kilns, see how simple they are to use, and picture one in your own space. No pressure, just advice from people who know these kilns.

Visit us in store / Book a time / Call us on 09 475 5224

Browse the full Nabertherm range at ccg.co.nz/craft.

Other blogs: Toploader or Chamber Kiln? What Really Decides it