Olympic Kilns 18 Raku Updraft Gas Kiln

Unleash your creativity with the Olympic 18" Raku Updraft Gas Kiln, a top choice for artists and potters looking to master the ancient Japanese technique of raku. Perfect for bisque, high-fire (cone 10), reduction, and raku, this kiln is engineered to deliver exceptional results while providing safety and ease of use.

Precision and Performance

Constructed from durable firebrick and equipped with advanced venturi burner systems, the Olympic 18" Raku Kiln ensures even temperature distribution throughout your firings. Whether you're creating intricate raku pieces with vibrant metallic lusters or high-fire pottery, this kiln delivers consistent, reliable performance every time.

Innovative Design for Effortless Raku

Designed specifically for raku, this kiln features a unique hand winch system that lifts the firing chamber, allowing you easy access to your work while keeping the heat contained. This innovative design minimizes heat loss and protects the operator, making the raku process safer and more efficient.

Burner with Ignition System

The Olympic 18" Raku Kiln comes standard with an ignition to light multiple burners at one point, maintain the flame on each burner, and re-ignite any burner that may extinguish. The thermocouple safety shut-off feature provides an additional layer of safety by cutting off the gas flow if the flame is extinguished.

Complete Package for Pottery Enthusiasts

Each kiln comes fully equipped with a welded frame, peephole plugs, brick for covering the porthole during reduction, and a comprehensive instruction manual. The kiln is backed by a one-year limited warranty, ensuring you can fire with confidence.

Create Stunning Raku Art

With the Olympic 18" Raku Kiln, you can achieve the rich, warm effects of raku by reducing oxygen in the firing chamber and immersing your glazed pottery in combustible materials. The result? Unique, eye-catching pieces that reflect the beauty and tradition of raku.

Elevate your pottery practice and explore the endless possibilities of raku with the Olympic 18" Raku Updraft Gas Kiln—a perfect blend of tradition and innovation.

• Model: 18 Raku
  
• Inside Setting Area: 14.5" W x 19.5" H
• Volume of setting area: 2.37 cf
• Inside Dimensions: 17.5" W x 22.5" H
• Inside volume: 3.29 cf
• Outside Dimensions: 39" W x 72" H
• Brick Thickness: 2.5"
• Maximum Temperature: Cone 10 – 2350°F/1288°C
• BTUs x 1000: 60
• BTU/HR Total: 120,000
• Gas Pipe Inside Dimensions: 3/4"
• Propane (LP) Water Column Pressure: 11"
• Natural Gas (NG) Water Column Pressure: 7"
• No. of Burners: 2
• Orifice Size LP: 3/32
• Orifice Size NG: 1/8
• # of Gallons LP per Cone 10 Firing: 5
• Est. Ship Wt (lbs): 235 lbs.

The furniture kit for the 18" Raku Gas Kiln includes:

• 3 layers of shelving with (1) 13″ x 13″ full round shelf and 4 each of 13″ x 7″ half-round shelves
  
• 6 each – 3-, 5-, 6-, and 8-inch small square posts
• 1 pound bag of kiln wash
• Raku tongs
• Heavy-duty insulated gloves

Estimated order-to-ship lead time is approximately 12-15 weeks.

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Choose the voltage that matches the electrical service where the kiln will be installed. Some kilns are available in only one voltage, while others can be ordered in multiple voltages. If both 120V and 240V are available, 240V is generally the preferred choice because it places less demand on your electrical system, while 120V offers the convenience of operating on a dedicated standard household circuit. If both 208V and 240V are available, select the voltage that matches your building's electrical service—240V is most common in homes, while 208V is common in many commercial, educational, and institutional buildings. If you're unsure which voltage you have, confirm it with your electrician before ordering.

Your kiln must be built to match the electrical service where it will be installed. Choose single-phase if that's what your building has (almost all homes do). Choose three-phase only if your building has three-phase power available. If both are available, three-phase is generally the preferred option. If you're unsure, verify the available electrical service with your electrician before placing your order.

Mechanical relays are standard and reliable. Solid-state relays (SSR) offer silent operation, faster cycling, greater precision, and longer lifespan—ideal for frequent or high-accuracy firings.

The following controllers are used across kilns sold by Pottery Pulse. Not all models offer every option—available controllers are listed on each product page. Some kilns include only the standard controller, while most allow upgrades for added precision and convenience.

Olympic Kilns

• Infinite Switch – Manual dial control for simple heat adjustments.
• KilnStar – Digital controller with preset and user-defined programs.
• Genesis – Advanced touchscreen interface with Wi-Fi and data logging.

Evenheat Kilns

• Icon – Digital 3-button controller for straightforward firing.
• RampMaster II – Manual digital controller for ceramic kilns; flexible ramp/hold programming.
• RampMaster 3 – Updated version for glass kilns with refined interface.
• Icon+ – Enhanced digital control with expanded profiles and precision.
• TAP II – Smart touchscreen controller with Wi-Fi, data tracking, and remote access.

Hot Shot Kilns

• Novus – “Set & Go” controller: set a target temperature and it does the rest (no segments).
• Spark – Entry-level touchscreen controller with intuitive operation and limited program control.
• TAP II – Smart touchscreen controller with Wi-Fi and real-time monitoring.

Jen-Ken Kilns

• Orton AF3P 3-Button – Reliable and straightforward for basic firing.
• Orton AutoFire 4000 12-Key – Expanded program capacity and fine control.
• Orton AutoFire Slide Touchscreen – Modern, responsive touchscreen interface.
• TAP II Touchscreen Smart Controller – Wi-Fi connectivity and real-time data tracking.

Not all kilns can use a collar, but Olympic’s Hot Box kilns can be ordered with a collar to expand versatility. A blank collar simply adds height to the firing chamber, while a bead collar adds the same height and includes a built-in bead or annealing door for quick-access lampwork projects.

This safety feature automatically cuts power to the heating elements whenever the kiln lid or door is opened. It prevents accidental burns, protects elements, and resumes power only when safely closed. (Also called an automatic lid shutoff on Olympic kilns.)