Uses: Bronze Clay China Painting Crystalline Glazes Decals Dolls Fast Firings Glass Casting Glass Fusing Glass Painting Glass Slumping Glaze Testing Low-Fire Ceramics Porcelain and Stoneware Silver Clay
Please note that some of the information in this video is dated, and no longer valid.
The non-digital Caldera has been discontinued, and is no longer available.
The touch control digital model now is built with the Bartlett Genesis Sentinel Touch Screen Controller.
The video is presented to explain the versatility of the Caldera, which has not changed. It's a great table-top kiln for any purpose!
Paragon Caldera
Make jewelry from the amazing silver, bronze, and copper clays that are shaped with simple tools and fired. Or even fire ceramics, porcelain, or stoneware jewelry. When you are ready to try something new, fire china, decals, enameling, and glass in Paragon’s digital Caldera kiln. Glass compatibility and glaze color tests are fast and easy. The Caldera fires rapidly to 2350°F/1287°C.
Steel Stand, Stackable Design
The original Caldera and Caldera-S kilns were placed on top of four firebrick blocks. The new Calderas now ship with a sturdy 2 3/4" high x 14" x 12 3/4" steel stand, complete with mar-proof rubber feet. With a separate top and bottom, the Caldera is stackable and completely portable. The kiln is easy to carry to seminars. Take it with you on vacation. For a digital kiln that can do this much, the Caldera is surprisingly affordable.
Versatile, Fun
Imagine the glass you could make with this kiln: Sag, slump, and fuse. Make small bowls, pendants, earrings, cufflinks, and even bracelets. Enjoy the glittering beauty of dichroic glass.
The Joy of Testing
You will never outgrow a small kiln. If you later buy a larger kiln, continue to use the small one for testing or small projects.
The Caldera in the Classroom
A Caldera is a nice addition to school programs. A test kiln is relatively inexpensive. With the Caldera, students can make gifts in time for a birthday or holiday instead of waiting until the school’s large kiln is fired. A test kiln creates enthusiasm for a clay program. Students can test glazes while they feel the momentum instead of waiting to fire them in the large kiln.
New teachers inherit bags of unlabeled clay in their classrooms. Many loads of clay have been ruined because they were fired to the wrong temperature. With a Caldera kiln, you can easily test unlabeled clay.
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Strong Lap Joints
To strengthen the firing chamber, the firebrick corners are fitted together with L-shaped notches. This type of joint lasts longer than the butted joint and the "picture frame" mitered joint found on competitive brands. Rugged construction makes this kiln a little workhorse. The base is versatile and can be flipped if one side is damaged. The lid and base are interchangeable unless you order the lid with a glass window.
Reliable Construction
This kiln is built to last. Elements are coiled from the finest high-temperature wire available. They use heat-dissipating element connectors refined and proven over many years in Paragon kilns. The thermocouple, which senses temperature in the kiln, is protected with a high-nickel stainless steel sheath for long life.
The Caldera switchbox is coated with a durable high temperature, water-base finish. We chose this type of paint because of the low emissions during spraying. This creates a safer working environment for our employees and cuts down on pollution. The Caldera is proudly made in America to exacting standards.
- 2 ½” insulating refractory firebricks
- Dropped, recessed brick grooves protect the element for long life.
- Vented switch box, heavy duty wiring for years of reliable service.
- The Caldera, even with a collar, still fires to 2000°F/1093°C
- A heavy-duty steel stand (complete with rubber feet) is included with each kiln.
The Optional Glass Window
You can order your Caldera with an optional glass window in the top. The glass window is rated to 2300°F (1260°C), so it can easily withstand glass fusing temperatures. Please note, however, that the window reduces the kiln’s maximum temperature to approximately 2100°F (1148°C) and is meant for glass fusing. (You can still fire porcelain and stoneware jewelry even with the window, but you will need to plug the window with ceramic fiber.)
The Optional Furniture Kit
The Furniture Kit for the Caldera kiln consists of:
1 C-7 (7" square x 5/8") Shelf
4 - 1/2" long, 1" wide Square Posts
1 lb. Bag Kiln Wash
Expansion Collars
The basic Caldera is part of a kiln expansion system. Add a collar for annealing glass beads or enameling small copper pieces. Add 4 ½” of height to the Caldera with a Caldera-BC collar, which has a 7½” x 2” door on the side for annealing glass beads. The Caldera-X is the same type of collar, but without the bead door. Explore copper enameling with the 6 3/4” tall Caldera-E collar.
Please be aware when firing the Caldera with any collar in place, the maximum temperature may be reduced. Enameling Collar – 1500°F; Bead Collar – 2000°F; Extension Collar – 2350°F
Optional Vitrigraph Bottom
Order the optional Vitrigraph Bottom for pulling stringers. Available with a 1.5" hole, or 2" hole.
Designed for productionParagon’s warranty is not affected by frequency of use. Fire your new kiln every day if you want, even in commercial settings. That will have no effect on the warranty period. Optional colors at no extra chargeBrighten your studio with color! Order your kiln in one of our standard colors at no extra charge . . . berry, black, blue, hot pink, jade, navy, purple, or turquoise. Return to Order |
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Specifications
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