Editing Kiln (section)

=== Modern kilns ===
[[File:1. Alt forn del Port de Sagunt (País Valencià, 1951).jpg|thumb|[[Sagunto]] kiln, 1951]]
With the [[industrial age]], kilns were designed to use electricity and more refined fuels, including [[natural gas]] and [[propane]]. Many large industrial pottery kilns use natural gas, as it is generally clean, efficient and easy to control. Modern kilns can be fitted with computerized controls allowing for fine adjustments during the firing. A user may choose to control the rate of temperature climb or ''ramp'', ''hold'' or ''soak'' the temperature at any given point, or control the rate of cooling. Both electric and gas kilns are common for smaller scale production in industry and craft, handmade and sculptural work.

Modern kilns include:
*'''Retort kiln''': a type of kiln which can reach temperatures around {{convert|1,500|C|F|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} for extended periods of time. Typically, these kilns are used in industrial purposes, and feature movable charging cars which make up the bottom and door of the kiln.
*'''Electric kilns''': kilns operated by [[electricity]] were developed in the 20th century, primarily for smaller scale use such as in schools, universities, and hobby centers. The atmosphere in most designs of electric kiln is rich in [[oxygen]], as there is no open flame to consume oxygen molecules. However, reducing conditions can be created with appropriate gas input, or by using [[saggar]]s in a particular way.
*'''Feller kiln''': brought contemporary design to wood firing by re-using unburnt gas from the chimney to heat intake air before it enters the firebox. This leads to an even shorter firing cycle and less wood consumption. This design requires external ventilation to prevent the in-chimney radiator from melting, being typically in metal. The result is a very efficient wood kiln firing one cubic metre of ceramics with one cubic meter of wood.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
*'''Microwave assisted firing''': this technique combines [[microwave]] energy with more conventional energy sources, such as radiant gas or electric heating, to process ceramic materials to the required high temperatures. Microwave-assisted firing offers significant economic benefits.
*'''Microwave kiln''': These small kilns are designed to be placed inside a standard [[microwave oven]]. The kiln body is made from a porous ceramic material lined with a coating that absorbs microwave energy. The microwave kiln is placed inside a microwave oven and heated to the desired temperature. The heating process is much less controlled than most modern electric kilns, as there is no built-in temperature monitoring. The user must monitor the process closely to achieve the desired results, adjusting time and power levels programmed on the microwave oven. A small hole in the lid of the kiln can be used to estimate the interior temperature visually, as hot materials will glow. Microwave kilns are designed to reach internal temperatures of over {{cvt|1400|C|F|sigfig=2}}, hot enough to work some types of glass, metals, and ceramics, while the outside of the kiln remains cool enough to handle with hot pads or tongs. After firing, the kiln should be removed from the microwave oven and placed on heat-proof surface while it is allowed to cool. Microwave kilns are limited in size, usually no more than {{convert|8|in|cm|order=flip}} in diameter.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://depts.washington.edu/open3dp/2010/04/microwave-kilns/| title = Microwave Kilns}}</ref>
*'''Top-hat kiln''': an intermittent kiln of a type sometimes used to fire pottery. The ware is set on a refractory hearth, or plinth, over which a box-shaped cover is lowered.