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BRAND RECOMMENDATIONS
What questions do I ask (and who do I ask them of?)
These issues should be asked of your local supplier. Regardless of whether they get the bid, they will be the ones to
service you on a consistent basis and you want to make sure that you request a brand that they can service. Keep in mind,
however, that a good supplier will not answer this question directly. For instance, I like both Skutt and L&L kilns and I
have never told any customer that I favor one over the other. However, in certain situations, one brand, (or more
specifically, one model), may be more appropriate than another. It is best to ask these questions
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In person (or at least on the phone - not in an e-mail)
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After doing your own research into several brands
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with a tablet & pen/pencil you can take notes on
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with an open mind
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across several visits or phone calls (ie. don’t feel like you have to get all of your answers in 1- 20 minute phone
call. Several 5-15 minute phone calls will be better for you and probably less stressful for your supplier.
You can also ask other teachers in the district, or teachers from nearby districts for their opinions. Studio potters can also give some good advice, but keep in mind that equipment is used very differently in a studio setting than it is by a school. A potter will take better care of his or her kiln than your students will!
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