Kilns - running costs?

[AGreatUsername]

I'm just about to buy my own kiln, having taken up slip casting last year and really enjoying the process.

I know this question may be a bit how-long-is-string, but can anyone give a rough cost of how much it costs to fire? Does a glaze fire cost more than a bisque?

I'm looking at the Rohde Ecotop 60 which seems quite efficient and is 3.6kw.

Currently paying £30 a bisque fire and £45 a glaze fire via kilnshare.

It depends on the size of the kiln and also what you pay for electricity of course, and what cone etc etc etc.

I have a small kiln, over 30 years old, 39l and is 3kw, and for a bisque Cone 04 costs around 5 euros max but we use the solar panels to contribute and I try and get the last 3 hours of firing to be done using the cheapest energy time here. Plus our elec costs here in France are much cheaper than the UK. I try and fire on sunny days to use the solar energy. On a really sunny day I can get it to 3 euros.

My glaze firings are currently Cone 05 and the same cost, so when I go up up to 5 or 6 in the spring, I'd expect that to double and would definitely be making sure I was getting the cheapest rate and the most solar to fire it.

A smaller kiln will be fired more than a larger one for the same volume of ware and I do try and cram my bisque in and pile it up to make use of all the space.