Olympic Kilns FL17E Large Capacity Kiln

The FL17E requires a dedicated 125-amp, 240V single-phase circuit (or 208V option) installed by a licensed electrician. At 96 amps draw and 23,040 watts, this kiln cannot run on standard household circuits. Your electrician will need to run appropriately sized wire (typically 2 AWG copper) from your main panel to the kiln location and install a NEMA configuration receptacle matching the kiln's power cord. We recommend consulting with your electrician before purchase to confirm your facility's electrical capacity can accommodate this kiln.

No, kiln furniture is sold separately. The FL17E requires shelves sized to fit the 28×28-inch interior, typically 26×26-inch high-alumina shelves to allow proper airflow. We recommend purchasing a furniture kit sized for this model that includes shelves, full and half-height posts, and shelf supports. The number of shelves depends on your typical firing needs—most studios start with 6-8 shelves and add more as production volume increases.

Olympic requires warranty registration within 30 days of delivery to activate your one-year limited warranty. You'll register directly with Olympic Kilns using the serial number found on your kiln's data plate. The warranty covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship but does not cover consumable items like elements, thermocouples, or firebrick. Keep your purchase receipt from Peach State Pottery, as warranty service is only valid when purchased through authorized dealers.

While the FL17E is designed and optimized for ceramic work to Cone 10, it can technically fire glass and metal clay at their lower required temperatures. However, the 3-inch brick construction results in slower cooling than glass-specific kilns, and the large chamber size makes it inefficient for small glass fusing loads. If you plan to fire primarily glass or do frequent mixed-media work, consider a dual-media lid upgrade or a kiln specifically designed for glass with faster heating and cooling cycles.

Element life in the FL17E depends on firing frequency, temperature, and kiln maintenance. Studios firing to Cone 10 regularly can expect 75-150 firings before element replacement becomes necessary, while lower-temperature firings (Cone 04-6) typically extend element life to 200+ firings. Proper kiln venting, avoiding over-firing, and keeping the chamber clean from glaze drips all maximize element longevity. We recommend keeping a set of replacement elements on hand for production studios to minimize downtime.