Did you know most top-loading kilns are made with fragile K23 soft brick—so delicate it can crumble like a graham cracker?
Every time you lean in to load or unload your pottery, you're wearing down that soft brick. The top edge of your kiln—where you rest arms, place kiln shelves, or shift your work—is the first to break down.
Repairs aren’t cheap. Replacing the top row of brick can cost $400–$800 each time, not to mention lost firing time.
Kiln Shield is the simple, effective solution that protects your kiln’s most vulnerable area—extending the life of your kiln and saving you hundreds in repairs. It’s easy to install, doesn’t interfere with firings, and is trusted by potters who want to protect their investment.
Your Investment
Your kiln is the heart of your studio—often the most expensive and essential tool, averaging $4,000 or more. While kilns are built to last, the top row of soft brick is highly vulnerable to daily wear. Every time you lean, lift, or load, that brick takes a hit.
KilnShield® adds a smooth, durable barrier to absorb friction and protect your kiln from costly, irreversible damage.
Life of the Kiln
A kiln's longevity depends on more than just temperature and frequency of use. The seal between the lid and the top bricks is critical to energy efficiency and proper venting.
As those bricks chip or degrade, heat and fumes escape—compromising your kiln’s performance and lifespan.
Kiln Shield preserves this seal, helping your kiln fire evenly, efficiently, and safely for years to come.
The Human Element
Let’s face it: loading and unloading a kiln isn’t comfortable. The metal edge digs into your ribs. Your balance feels off. Your back takes a beating.
Kiln Shield is designed with potters in mind—featuring a soft, heat-resistant foam pad so you can lean, reach, and rest your weight with ease.
More comfort. Less strain. And no more worrying about damaging your kiln while working.
Take it from our customers
Whether you're loading up for a bisque firing or finishing a big commission, KilnShield gives you peace of mind. Trusted by artists, teachers, and studios nationwide to protect their kilns — and their backs.
1. How Kilnshield Works
KilnShield protects the most vulnerable part of your kiln — the top layer of soft brick. By creating a smooth, load-bearing surface, it prevents wear from loading, unloading, and body weight. Just set it in place and fire as usual.
Simple to install. Zero interference with your firing. Maximum peace of mind.
Learn More2. Standard vs. Deluxe
Standard KilnShield:
Protects a 3-brick wide area. Ideal for home studios, small-scale artists, and light to moderate kiln use.
Deluxe KilnShield:
Covers a 6-brick wide zone for broader protection. Perfect for schools, shared studios, or frequent firings with heavier loads.
3. Why Brick Damage Matters
The soft firebrick lining your kiln is delicate — especially the top row that meets the lid. Cracks, chipping, and wear lead to poor heat sealing, energy loss, and expensive repairs.
KilnShield preserves your kiln’s integrity and extends its life — no more costly service calls or inefficient firings.
Protect your kiln
Tracy FischerI was one of the earliest testers of the KilnShield and I can't tell you enough how much I love it. My kiln gets a ton of use and the bricks look as if they are brand new! It is easy to store with the magnets on the side.
Christine GowlandI have the Kilnshield and it has saved my top bricks tremendously. It also is great when you're bending over and its still warm you aren't burning yourself. Get one!
GinaWe have the Kilnshield at our studio and we love it! It keeps the bricks from getting chipped up and it's comfortable to lean over.
Sonya RousseauI have a Kilnshield that I use at work all the time and it really helps especially with the students chipping off our bricks.
Adrienne DellingerWe use these products on our products on our kilns and they have saved our kilns. We love them!
Corine AdamsI have one of the Kilnshields at our high school and we use it every time we load and unload our kiln. I can highly recommend it, our kiln looks amazing. Thank you Tony!
Yes—KilnShield is designed to prevent further damage and stabilize areas that are already worn from loading, unloading, and shelf movement.
While it won’t rebuild missing brick, it extends the life of existing bricks, reduces ongoing abrasion, and helps delay costly brick or kiln replacement.
No. KilnShield must be removed before firing.
KilnShield is heat-resistant, but it is not designed to be fired with the kiln and will melt at firing temperatures.
Leaving it in place during firing can also prevent the kiln from sealing properly, which may interfere with ventilation and firing performance.
KilnShield is used only during loading and unloading to protect soft bricks from mechanical damage.
KilnShield is engineered as a protective barrier, not a permanent kiln interior component.
Removing KilnShield before firing ensures safe operation, proper airflow, and consistent firing results.
When used correctly (removed before firing), KilnShield does not affect kiln performance.
However, firing with KilnShield in place can interfere with ventilation and airflow, which is why removal before firing is essential.
When used as intended, KilnShield protects your kiln without impacting how it fires.
KilnShield cannot be trimmed or cut to size.
Instead, we offer multiple sizes designed specifically for 10-sided and 12-sided kilns, allowing you to choose the option that best fits your kiln model.
If you’re unsure which size you need, we’re happy to help you select the correct fit.
Replacing soft bricks or repairing kiln interiors can be costly and time-consuming. KilnShield is a preventative solution that helps reduce ongoing damage, extend kiln life, and protect your investment—especially during frequent loading and unloading.
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