A few points should be checked in advance to ensure the safe operation of your new ROHDE kiln. Prepare the operating location according to the following installation instructions:

• Allow adequate space around the kiln for loading and unloading the kiln as well as storing kiln shelves, posts, cones, etc.
• Position the kiln on a clean, level surface [+/- 1/8” (3mm) variance is acceptable].  If the kiln is placed on an unstable surface, the stacked furniture inside may become unstable as well.
• The floor, ceiling insulation, walls, partition walls, cladding, etc., must be made of Class A fire-rated materials.  Examples include concrete, fiber cement board, fire-rated gypsum board, clay brick, and metal.
• The distance between the kiln and the walls, etc., should be at least 20” (50 cm) for top loaders.  For front loaders, allow 10” (25 cm) on the side opposite the control panel, at least 20” (50cm) maintenance area behind the kiln (for replacing elements) and safe working clearance of 36” (90cm) for up to 240VAC, or 42” (1067cm) for up to 600VAC] in the direction of access into the control panel. 
• No combustible materials (wooden shelves) may be within 20” (50 cm) of the kiln, measured horizontally.  A vertical space of 40” (100cm) above the kiln to the ceiling must also be maintained.
• Make sure that the operating location is very well-ventilated. Otherwise, a fresh air supply must be installed.  It is also necessary to discharge (vent) the exhaust gases appropriately.
• The applicable local regulations must be observed.  Please consult with local authorities.

Please adhere to the permissible ambient conditions:

Permissible environmental temperature: 23°F to 86°F (-5°C to +30°C)

Relative humidity: <80%, non-condensing

Each ROHDE kiln comes with a corresponding cable [length approx. 7.5 ft (2.3 m) for the mains connection.  The corresponding amperage can be found on the nameplate. The power cable and receptacle outlet must be sized according to the connection and performance data of the kiln. 

If you have any questions, please contact a local electrician who can consider the local conditions (cable length, type of cable installation, etc.). The receptacle outlet should be close to the kiln.

Never use an extension cord or multi-outlet adapter.

The mains supply cable must not come into contact with the hot kiln.

Would you like to install a new electrical outlet in advance or find out about the amperage values?  You can find the required information under the heading “Technical data” for the relevant kiln on our website.

Kilns with plugs (as opposed to hard-wired) should only be operated from a robust receptacle outlet.  Each kiln should be powered by its own dedicated circuit.

Unfortunately, in rare cases, the kiln gets damaged during transportation. We have optimized our packaging to protect the kiln, but have little control over its handling during transportation.  It is therefore important to check the kiln upon delivery. 

Is the packaging of the kiln damaged, or is the small cardboard box (to prevent stacking) on top of the kiln dented?  We always deliver our kilns with a ShockWatch label, which is clearly visible on the outside of the delivery.  This can be used to check whether the kiln has been exposed to strong vibrations during transportation. 

Please check these points upon delivery:

• If the packaging of the kiln is found to be damaged upon delivery or the ShockWatch device has been triggered, unpack the pallet with the delivery driver still present and check the goods again for damage.  On the delivery paperwork, record details of any kiln damage detected and have the driver countersign your remarks.  You can refuse to accept the delivery if you notice severe damage before unpacking.  The kiln is then returned to the sender, who takes over the resolution with the shipping company.
• A few photos of the damage and the delivery documents are very helpful for the local specialist.  Transportation is always insured; however, this insurance only applies if the damage is reported immediately, typically within a maximum of 24 hours after delivery.
• Please keep a copy of the damage claim or take a photo of it and inform the shipping agency and local specialist immediately of the damage.  Claims made more than 24 hours after delivery may not be considered by the insurance company and therefore may not be accepted.

Before commissioning your kiln, remove all objects from the kiln and all protective films from the outer surfaces without leaving any residue.

Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the operating instructions for the kiln and the controller. You will also find further information on transportation, installation, and commissioning, and the recommended initial firing here.

The basic rule for electrically operated kilns is that gases never emanate from the kiln, but do emanate from the fired ware.

Every firing with ceramic ware produces exhaust gases, regardless of whether it is a bisque or glaze firing, regardless of the type of clay or glaze, regardless of the manufacturer.

This kiln exhaust air may contain traces of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, fluorine compounds, and smoldering substances from organic additives in the glazes or ceramic bodies. At the outlet into the exhaust air duct, these are strongly diluted (approx. 1:10) with room air and cooled down at the same time.

It must therefore be ensured that there is sufficient room ventilation during the firing process in the kiln. In some cases, this can be achieved by means of window ventilation.

It must be ensured that windows remain open at all times during the firing process (e.g., by fitting a window contact switch).

If window ventilation is not permitted or the requirements (public facilities, schools, etc.) stipulate a separate ventilation system, this must be planned and installed accordingly. Ask a ventilation engineer about this.

In both private and public facilities, the applicable regulations of the respective jurisdiction must be observed. Further technical information is available on request.

Please view this blog.

Yes, each kiln room should have at least one smoke detector. More importantly, optimum air ventilation must be provided.  If this is not the case, or if the discharge of the exhaust air is impaired due to a mechanical or electrical fault, smoke detectors could be triggered.  Releasing the exhaust air from a hot kiln can lead to temperature fluctuations in the room that could trigger fire alarms.

You can download all current controller manuals from our website.

Visit the Service section and select Controllers to find the instruction manual for your specific model.

The faults and the corresponding corrective actions can be found in the corresponding instruction manual.

This depends on the firing curves, frequency, and ware being fired.  If possible, avoid excessive heating rates of over 215°F/hr (120°C/h) or “Full” or “Skip”, as these heating rates put a lot of strain on the heating elements and shorten their service life.

The product data sheet for each kiln contains the amperage per phase, the connected load, and the plug fitted in each case.  Kilns with an amperage of up to 63A are always supplied with a corresponding plug.

Kilns up to 3.6 kW (16 A) are supplied with a plug for a standard 240V, 20A receptacle outlet, a common outlet found in many residential, commercial, and industrial facilities.  As kilns are heating appliances with a high continuous load, we always recommend having the outlet checked beforehand to ensure safe operation.  Your local electrician can carry out a quick check to see if your outlet is suitable.

For safe kiln operation of the above-mentioned kilns, you need a properly grounded outlet approved for a connected load of at least 16A and suitably fused or otherwise protected against overcurrent, and no other loads on this circuit.  The supply wiring from the distribution box to the outlet should be suitable for a continuous load of 16A and be of appropriate gauge for the cable length and type of installation. The cable gauge to be used cannot be specified remotely, as factors such as the cable length and the type of installation on site must be considered

For your own safety, allow only licensed electrician(s) to modify the electrical installation.

Ask your local electrician whether installing an upsized outlet for the kiln in your workshop is possible.  This depends, among other things, on your existing power connection and must be checked locally on site by a qualified electrician.  Show the electrician the product data sheet of the desired kiln.  This contains all the important information (plug type, power consumption, etc.)

Kilns with amperage up to 63 amps are supplied with a plug.  You don’t need an electrician to plug it in.  The kilns have output values that can be equivalent to the connected load of a single-family household.  We recommend that a qualified electrician check your electrical installation before purchasing the kiln.

Kilns with an amperage of 63 amps or more are supplied without a plug and must be permanently connected.  This connection option may only be carried out by a qualified electrician. 

Please hire a local electrician to perform this work.

Have the kiln checked by a qualified electrician employing an electrical isolation test to see if there is a fault.  Have all the heating element connections checked at the same time. 

For front loaders, also have the connections in the door checked.  Heating appliances may have a certain leakage current, but this should not cause the GFCI to trip.  If several pieces of equipment are operated on a GFCI, such as one serving a whole distribution panel, the sum of all residual currents can lead to tripping.

The lightweight firebrick can absorb moisture if the kiln is installed or stored in a humid environment. The moisture may be sufficient to trigger a GFCI breaker.  Place the kiln in a dry environment and allow it to dry.

Do not continue to operate the kiln until safe operation is guaranteed.

We do not offer to convert old “KilnSitter” control units to another control unit.

Rohde Kilns uses solid-state relays (SSRs) instead of mechanical contactors, and these do not need to be replaced regularly.  In the event that an SSR fails, the controller will detect an excessive rise in temperature, then switch off the safety contactor and display an error code (e.g., “EA3”).  

To ensure uninterrupted operation, we recommend replacing the safety contactor when replacing the heating elements if the reason for replacement is life-cycle-related.  If replacing an element due to physical damage, such as from glaze, then it is not necessary to replace the safety contactor.

The thermocouple converts the measured temperature of the kiln into an electrical signal in the millivolt range.  The controller uses this signal to detect and then regulate the temperature inside the kiln.

Thermocouples are sensitive components with expensive materials (e.g., platinum). The thermocouple is located in a thin ceramic protective tube that protrudes into the firing chamber.  Please ensure that this tube is not damaged.  Defective thermocouples are indicated by the message “over” or “EA1” on the controller. 

Before replacing the thermocouple, have the terminal connections of the controller cable checked by a qualified electrician.  A loose connection can also lead to the aforementioned error messages.

High temperatures in the kiln during operation can cause cracks in the lightweight firebricks.

These have no negative effect as long as the brick lining does not become loose.

Brick movements can cause small cracks during firing.  Please do not open the kiln until it has cooled down; this reduces the stress on the bricks.

The bricks in a top loader’s lid can crack if subjected to mechanical stress.  Therefore, never place anything on the top loader. 

As with any technical appliance, the components of a kiln experience a certain amount of wear over time.  Good care and careful handling will extend the life of the kiln. 

Carefully vacuum the heating element grooves regularly and carefully remove glaze splashes from the insulating firebricks.

Over time, the heating elements also wear out and no longer perform sufficiently.  As a result, the kiln takes longer or fails to reach its end temperature. 

The control unit subsequently aborts the firing and then displays an error code (e.g., “EA4”).  The longer firing time also increases the energy consumption of the kiln, which is reflected in higher electricity costs. 

You can obtain new heating elements from us directly or from our specialist retailers.

The safety contactor is also subject to wear and tear, and it can fail in the closed position, meaning that it won’t switch power off when it is supposed to.  This can lead to damage to the kiln or dangerous operating conditions.  Therefore, we also recommend replacing the safety contactor when replacing the elements at the end of their life cycle.

Please pay close attention to the function of your kiln so that you will notice any malfunctions, then remedy the malfunction before resuming use.  For example, when you open or close the kiln lid, you should hear the safety contactor click open/close the power circuit. 

Insulating firebricks have many small, air-filled pores which help keep the heat in the kiln. 

However, this porous quality also reduces the mechanical strength of the brick.  The brick must, therefore, be handled very carefully.  Do not lean on the rim of the top loader nor place anything on the lid.  Always close the kiln carefully.  Place the kiln components carefully on smooth surfaces when transporting them disassembled.  Avoid pressure points.  These can result in breakouts, which may only become apparent after a few firings.

If larger areas have broken out of the brick, we advise against using a high-temperature adhesive.  This usually only lasts for a short time.  With top loaders, trained specialists can replace individual bricks in the kiln with manageable effort. 

Please take a few pictures of the affected area, the nameplate, and the complete kiln, and contact your local specialist for a repair.

We currently sell and ship exclusively within the United States.

If you’re located outside the U.S., please visit the ROHDE Dealer Map on our European website to find your local distributor and support team.

We currently sell and ship exclusively within the United States.

If you’re located outside the U.S., please visit the ROHDE Dealer Map on our European website to find your local distributor and support team.

You can contact us through our contact page! We will be happy to assist you.

A return must be requested within 30 days of receiving your package. Return shipping costs and a 15% restocking fee will apply. If you would like to return an item, please fill out this form, and a member of our team will get back to you via email within 3 business days.

All items returned by mail must be returned using the shipping label provided to you via email. You, the customer, are responsible for the cost of return shipping if the return was not due to our error. After we inspect the item, which must be returned in new condition in the original packaging, we will issue a refund less any fees, the original shipping costs, and the cost of the return label.

We will issue the return back in the form of the original payment. Rohde Kilns is not responsible for items damaged during return shipping, so please ensure the return items are packed safely.

If you need to cancel your order for any reason, please submit a request using this form.

Before using your new ROHDE kiln, review the following guidelines to ensure safe and proper installation.

• Choose the right size chamber. Avoid selecting a firing chamber that’s too small. Make sure you have enough space for loading and unloading your kiln, as well as for handling kiln shelves and furniture.
  
• Place the kiln on a stable, level surface (± 1/8 inch). An uneven or unstable surface can cause the internal stacking structure to shift or become unstable during firing.
  
• Use flame-retardant materials for nearby floors, ceilings, walls, and partitions (Class B1 building materials or equivalent).
  
• Maintain proper clearance.
  
  Front-loading kilns: leave at least 10 inches of space on all sides.
  
  Top-loading kilns: leave at least 20 inches of space on all sides.
  
  For front-loaders, ensure there’s additional access behind the kiln to service or replace heating elements.
  
  
• Keep combustible materials away. Maintain a distance of at least 20 inches from any flammable materials such as wooden shelving, and allow sufficient clearance to the ceiling.
  
• Ensure proper ventilation. The kiln must be located in a well-ventilated area. If natural ventilation is insufficient, install an external fresh air supply and make sure exhaust gases are safely vented.
  
• Follow local building and safety codes, especially in public spaces such as schools or community centers. In some cases, you may be required to install a separate, restricted-access firing area.
  

Permissible environmental conditions:

• Ambient temperature: 23°F to 86°F (-5°C to +30°C)
  
• Relative humidity: Below 80% (non-condensing)

Each ROHDE kiln includes a power cable approximately 7.5 feet long for connection to the main power supply. Power requirements and current ratings are listed on the kiln’s nameplate. The power cable and outlet must be rated according to the kiln’s electrical specifications.

If you have any questions about the installation or wiring, consult a licensed electrician who can account for local conditions such as cable length, wiring method, and electrical load. The outlet should be positioned close to the kiln.

Important Safety Notes:

• Never use an extension cord or power strip to operate the kiln.
  
• The power cable must not touch any part of the hot kiln surface.

Although rare, damage can occasionally occur during transportation. While our packaging is designed to provide maximum protection, handling during shipment is outside our control. For that reason, it’s essential to inspect your kiln immediately upon delivery.

Check for any visible signs of damage to the packaging or the small cardboard box placed on top (used to prevent stacking). Each kiln is shipped with a ShockWatch indicator label on the exterior—if it has been triggered, the kiln may have been exposed to excessive vibration during transport.

If you notice any damage or a triggered ShockWatch label, inspect the kiln with the driver present. Unpack the pallet, check for visible damage, and note any issues directly on the delivery receipt. Be sure the driver signs your remarks. If the kiln appears severely damaged before unpacking, you may refuse delivery—it will be returned to the sender for resolution with the carrier.

Take photos of the damage and all shipping documents, and report the issue to both the shipping company and your local ROHDE specialist within 24 hours of delivery. All shipments are insured, but claims can only be processed if damage is reported immediately. Claims submitted more than 24 hours after delivery cannot be accepted.

Before operating your kiln, remove all items from inside the chamber and peel away any protective film from the exterior surfaces, ensuring no residue remains. Review the operating manual carefully for both the kiln and controller to become familiar with all functions and safety procedures.

You’ll also find detailed instructions on transportation, installation, setup, and the recommended initial (first) firing in the manual.

For electric kilns, gases do not come from the kiln itself but from the materials being fired. Every firing—whether bisque or glaze—produces exhaust gases from the clay and glazes, which may include small amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and other compounds.

To ensure safety, the kiln room must have adequate ventilation during every firing. In many cases, opening a window provides enough airflow, but the window must remain open for the entire firing cycle (a window contact switch can help ensure this).

If window ventilation is not allowed, or if local regulations—such as those for schools or public buildings—require a dedicated exhaust system, a ventilation engineer should design and install one. Always follow the applicable local building and safety codes for your facility.