Kiln Hire

Fire regularly. Keep momentum. Grow your making practice.

I’m opening a limited number of spots for makers who want reliable access to a large 400L electric kiln in Kelson (Lower Hutt). I handle all loading/unloading, so your flow is simple: drop-off → pickup.

Priority goes to makers who reserve space on a repeating schedule; casuals are welcome when capacity allows.

Firing: Cone 04 bisque and cone 7 gloss (oxidation).

Custom schedules: Possible for full kiln bookings.

What's on
Offer

Simple Pricing (base + levy):

Base (weekly or casual): pays for your guaranteed space, my loading/QA, overhead and scheduling. It’s low and predictable.
Levy (per firing, at cost): the electricity for that firing, split by how much of the kiln you used.
Current guide: glaze ≈ $75 for a full load, bisque a bit less.
Your share: Shelf ≈ small fraction, ¼ = 25%, ½ = 50%, Full = 100%.
Example (glaze load): If the glaze levy is $75 and you’re on a Quarter, your levy that firing is $18.75 (25% of $75).
You just pay your base plan + your levy share. No other fees.

Weekly Reserved Shelf — $15/week + levy share

≈ 27 L (0.95 cu ft) per firing — one full shelf layer (60 × 45 cm × 10 cm height).
Great for steady mug/bowl/plate cadence with rock-bottom weekly spend.

Weekly Reserved Half — $105/week + levy (50%)

≈ 122 L (4.29 cu ft) per week — about the same capacity as a typical 6 cu ft studio kiln.
Your ½ here ≈ someone else’s full kiln, at a much lower weekly cost.

Casual Per Shelf (capacity-dependent) — $22 per shelf per firing + levy share

≈ 27 L (0.95 cu ft) per shelf layer slotted into the next compatible firing.

Casual 1/2 Kiln (Capacity dependant) - $115/firing + levy (50%)

≈122 L (4.29 cu ft) in the next compatible firing — roughly the capacity of a typical 6 cu ft studio kiln elsewhere, without hassle and cost of managing your own kiln

Weekly Reserved Quarter — $55/week + levy (25%)

≈ 61 L (2.15 cu ft) per week — ~¼ of the full kiln across the stack.
Predictable capacity without loading hassles.

Weekly Reserved Full — $190/week + levy (100%)

≈ 243 L (8.58 cu ft) per week — your schedule/curve (within safe limits).
Ideal for production runs or tight deadlines.

Casual Per 1/4 Kiln (Capacity dependant) - $58/firing + levy (25%)

≈ 61 L (2.15 cu ft) per week — ~¼ of the full kiln across the stack.slotted into the next compatible firing.
Perfect for small batch drops when you don’t need a weekly spot.

Why Reserve Space?

Reserve your Space in the Next Firing

Regular, guaranteed space means you can plan making cycles, keep shelves turning, and hit markets, shops, and deadlines without scrambling. It also lets me batch efficiently—which is why I pass that efficiency on to you as better rates and first priority.

Guaranteed space each week/fortnight
Lower per-shelf rates vs casual
Priority scheduling & reduced admin back-and-forth
Occasional “members first” full-kiln windows

How it Works

Enquire (fill out the quick pop up form or you can DM): firing type, estimated volume (shelves or ¼ / ½ / full), target date, and frequency (weekly/fortnightly/casual).
Confirm your spot: I’ll assign you to the next suitable firing (or your reserved slot, if on a plan).
Drop off: clearly labelled boxes/pieces with clay/glaze details.
I load, fire, unload: safe placement, standard kiln wash, and care taken with spacers/setters.
Pickup: I’ll notify you as soon as your ware is cool and ready.

Turnaround: Typically 3–7 days from drop-off to pickup (subject to capacity). Reserved customers get first allocation.

Upcoming Firing Schedule

Weekly firings usually run mid-week. Reserved members get priority loading.
Use the calendar below to view upcoming firing weeks or availability.

Kiln Hire Full Terms & Conditions
Please review these before confirming your enquiry.

1. Scope & Nature of Service

These terms apply to all kiln hire and firing services (“Service”) provided by Pam Streeter Ceramics.
I handle all loading, unloading, and firing of your work — you simply drop off and collect.
By booking or submitting an enquiry, you agree to these terms.

2. Drop-off / Pickup

Drop-off location: Kelson, Lower Hutt (address provided on booking).
Drop off is in the garage behind the container. Leave your items in a lidded plastic container clearly labeled and on the marked shelf. The driveway is a shared area, please be considerate of others working nearby and drive down only to drop your boxes, or park on the street and walk your wares down the drive.
All work must be clearly labeled with your name, contact details, clay type, glaze type, and firing type (bisque or glaze).
I’ll notify you when your ware is ready for pickup.
Please collect promptly once notified, as storage is limited.

3. Preparation Requirements

Work must be bone dry for bisque firing. Damp or wrapped greenware cannot be accepted.
Glazed ware must be dry-footed (no glaze on the base or underside).
Only oxidation-safe glazes suitable for cone 04 or cone 7 firings are accepted.
Unsafe or unknown clays, glazes, or finishes may be declined at my discretion.
Please include test tiles for new glaze combinations.

4. Scheduling & Turnaround

Typical turnaround: 3–7 working days from drop-off to pickup (depending on load capacity).
if the kiln is not full, it may not run on schedule, I'll advise you if this is the case.
Reserved members get priority access. Casual loads are slotted in when space allows.
Full kiln bookings can request custom schedules.

5. Pricing & Payment

Pricing follows a base + levy model:
- Base: weekly membership or casual fee for your guaranteed space.
- Levy: share of power for that firing, proportional to your kiln usage.
Levy example: if power levy is $75 for a full glaze kiln, ¼ use = $18.75.
Payment is due prior to or upon pickup. Invoices issued after firing.
Prices may be reviewed periodically.

6. Memberships & Missed Weeks

Weekly memberships guarantee you a regular reserved space.
Missed or unused weeks are not refundable.
- You may gift or on-sell your reserved spot to another maker provided they use your name and remain responsible under your account.
Memberships can also be shared among friends, as long as:
- All participants adhere to these terms.
- All communication and payment remain under one contact person.
If you expect to be away (e.g. holiday), please advise — your slot may be temporarily released for others, where possible.

7. Liability & Risk

I take care with loading and firing, but ceramics are unpredictable — I can’t guarantee against cracks, glaze runs, warping, or breakage.
You accept these risks when booking a firing.
If your work causes damage to kiln shelves, elements, or another maker’s work (e.g. due to glaze faults), you may be liable for repair/replacement costs.
All handling and firing decisions are at my discretion for safety and best results.

8. Storage & Uncollected Work

Space is limited; please collect your work promptly.
Uncollected ware after 30 days may be disposed of or recycled after reasonable attempts to contact you.

9. Cancellations & Changes

Please give at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or schedule changes.
For reserved memberships, cancellations or missed firings are not refunded (see Section 6).
If the kiln schedule changes due to maintenance, I’ll notify you promptly.

10. Communication & Updates

Booking confirmations, drop-off reminders, and pickup notices are sent by email.
These terms may be updated periodically — the version on my website at the time of booking applies.

11. Governing Law

These terms are governed by New Zealand law, with any disputes handled in the Wellington region.

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