Olympic kilns are electric and gas kilns built by Olympic Kilns, a family business founded in 1972 that has made its kilns in Flowery Branch, Georgia, since 1997. For home pottery, the short answer is the Medallion Artist Series: 3 inch brick, cone 10 ratings and sizes from 18 to 28 inches wide. The MAS1818HE suits a 30A circuit, the MAS1823HE adds depth on a 40A circuit, and the 120V 129E covers cone 6 potters without 240V.
This review is research-based. We used Olympic's own product pages and company history, Olympic's published list prices, and our earlier Amazon research. We did not fire these kilns. Olympic is one of the few makers that prints the wire size for every model, which helps answer the wiring question below.
Verdict: the best Olympic kiln for home pottery
If you can run 240V, start with the MAS1818HE. It is the smallest Medallion, it draws 21A at 240V on a 30A breaker, and it reaches cone 10. If you want more room per firing, the MAS1823HE adds 4.5 inches of depth for 3.29 cubic feet, and it is on Amazon with a furniture kit in the listing title.
If you are limited to 120V, the 129E reaches cone 6 on a 20A circuit. The Doll E reaches cone 10 on 120V but is a test and doll kiln with an oval chamber of only 0.3 cubic feet. The 1214-120HE gives cone 10 on 120V with real space, but it needs a 30A, 120V circuit with an L5-30 twist-lock receptacle, which most homes do not have.
Olympic kiln specs and wire sizes by model
| Model | Electrical | Breaker and copper wire | Plug (NEMA) | Max temp | Interior | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAS1818HE | 240V 1-phase 21A, or 208V 24A; 5,040 W | 30A; #10 (#8 over 40 ft) | 6-30 | Cone 10, 2,350°F (1,288°C) | 17.5 x 18 in, 2.63 cu ft | Check price |
| MAS1823HE | 240V 1-phase 26.25A, or 208V 30A; 6,300 W | 40A; #8 (#6 over 40 ft) | 6-50 | Cone 10, 2,350°F (1,288°C) | 17.5 x 22.5 in, 3.29 cu ft | Check price |
| MAS2323HE | 240V or 208V, 44 to 46A 1-phase | 60A; #6 (#4 over 40 ft) | 6-50 | Cone 10, 2,350°F (1,288°C) | 23.4 x 22.5 in, 5.83 cu ft | Dealer order |
| 129E | 120V, 16A, 1,920 W | 20A; #12 (#10 over 40 ft) | 5-20 | Cone 6, 2,250°F (1,232°C) | 11.25 x 9 in, 0.58 cu ft | Check price |
| Doll E | 120V, 15A, 1,800 W | 20A; #12 (#10 over 40 ft) | 5-15 | Cone 10, 2,350°F (1,288°C) | Oval 11.25 x 7 x 9 in, 0.3 cu ft | Check price |
| 1214-120HE | 120V, 24A, 2,880 W | 30A; #10 (#8 over 40 ft) | L5-30 | Cone 10, 2,350°F (1,288°C) | 11.25 x 13.5 in, 0.86 cu ft | Dealer order |
Research note: Olympic's 1214-120HE page prints 2,350°F as 1,266°C, which looks like a conversion slip; 2,350°F is about 1,288°C, the figure Olympic uses on its other cone 10 pages. The MAS2323HE is also offered in 3-phase (29 to 30A, 40A breaker).
These are Olympic's stated figures. A licensed electrician should confirm your panel capacity, size the breaker and wire for your run length and local code, and fit the receptacle. Do not wire a kiln circuit yourself.
Olympic Medallion MAS1823HE: more depth for 240V homes
The MAS1823HE is the Olympic model most US home potters will find first, since it is listed on Amazon with a furniture kit. Olympic rates it to cone 10 and gives it 3 inch brick, a 17.5 inch width and a 22.5 inch depth for 3.29 cubic feet. That is roughly a quarter more space than an 18 x 18 inch kiln such as the Skutt KM-818 (2.6 cubic feet).
Olympic lists 26.25A at 240V and 30A at 208V, both on a 40A breaker with #8 copper wire, or #6 for runs over 40 feet, and a NEMA 6-50 receptacle. The standard controller is the Bartlett KilnStar, with a Genesis touchscreen as an upgrade. Medallion kilns use a solid one-piece electrical box rather than the separate boxes on stackable kilns.
- Electrical: 240V 1-phase 26.25A or 208V 30A; 6,300 W
- Breaker and wire: 40A; #8 copper (#6 over 40 ft); NEMA 6-50
- Max temperature: Cone 10, 2,350°F (1,288°C)
- Interior: 17.5 in wide x 22.5 in deep, 3.29 cu ft
- Brick: 3 in
- Controller: Bartlett KilnStar (Genesis touchscreen optional)
- Weight: 225 lb
- Price band: typically $2,500 to $3,000 before freight in October 2026, based on Olympic's list price; check the live price
Pros
- 3 in brick
- More depth than 18 x 18 kilns
- Full wire sizes published
Cons
- Heavy at 225 lb
- Needs a 40A circuit
- Deep chamber means more reaching when loading
Who should skip it: Shorter potters or anyone with back trouble who would struggle to load a 22.5 inch deep kiln, and homes without 240V.
Read our MAS1823HE review for loading and furniture details.
Olympic Medallion MAS1818HE: cone 10 on a 30A circuit
The MAS1818HE is the smaller Medallion. Olympic lists 21A at 240V and 24A at 208V, 5,040 W, on a 30A breaker with #10 copper wire and a NEMA 6-30 receptacle. That lighter circuit can save money on installation compared with a 40A or 50A kiln, and Olympic still rates it to cone 10.
- Electrical: 240V 21A or 208V 24A; 5,040 W
- Breaker and wire: 30A; #10 copper (#8 over 40 ft); NEMA 6-30
- Max temperature: Cone 10, 2,350°F (1,288°C)
- Interior: 17.5 x 18 in, 2.63 cu ft; 3 in brick
- Weight: 185 lb
- Price band: typically $2,400 to $2,900 before freight in October 2026
Pros
- Smallest 240V circuit in the Medallion line
- Cone 10
- 3 in brick
Cons
- Lower wattage than rivals of the same size, so firings may run longer
- Dealer order rather than a confirmed Amazon listing
Who should skip it: Potters who already need more than 2.6 cubic feet per firing.
Olympic 129E: the 120V cone 6 kiln
The 129E is Olympic's answer for homes without 240V. Olympic lists 120V, 16A and 1,920 W on a 20A breaker with #12 wire and a NEMA 5-20 receptacle. It reaches cone 6, 2,250°F (1,232°C), in an 11.25 inch wide, 9 inch deep chamber of 0.58 cubic feet, with 3 inch brick, a tall stand and the KilnStar controller.
- Electrical: 120V, 16A, 1,920 W; 20A breaker; NEMA 5-20
- Max temperature: Cone 6, 2,250°F (1,232°C)
- Interior: 11.25 x 9 in, 0.58 cu ft; 3 in brick
- Weight: 99 lb
- Price band: typically $1,600 to $1,900 before freight in October 2026
Pros
- Runs on a 20A household-voltage circuit
- 3 in brick
- Cone 6 covers most mid-fire clay
Cons
- Small load
- Cone 6 maximum
- Needs a 5-20 receptacle, not a standard 15A outlet
Who should skip it: Anyone who wants cone 10, or who can add 240V and get four times the space.
Olympic Doll E: cone 10 from a standard plug
The Doll E (also sold as the Test E) is a small oval kiln for glaze tests, porcelain dolls and jewelry. Olympic lists 120V, 15A, 1,800 W, a NEMA 5-15 plug and a 20A breaker, with a cone 10 rating. The chamber is 11.25 x 7 inches and 9 inches high, 0.3 cubic feet, with 2.5 inch brick, and the kiln weighs 60 lb.
Pros
- Cone 10 on 120V
- Light
- Useful as a test kiln next to a bigger kiln
Cons
- Tiny oval chamber
- 2.5 in brick
- Olympic asks for a 20A breaker even with a 5-15 plug
Who should skip it: Wheel throwers who want to fire whole sets of pots.
Olympic 1214-120HE: bigger 120V kiln with a special circuit
The 1214-120HE is a 120V cone 10 kiln with an 11.25 x 13.5 inch chamber (0.86 cubic feet) and 3 inch brick. It draws 24A and 2,880 W, so Olympic specifies a 30A breaker, #10 wire and an L5-30 twist-lock receptacle. That is 120V, but it is not a normal outlet, so you still need an electrician and a new circuit. Weight is 135 lb.
Pros
- Cone 10 on 120V
- More room than the Doll E
Cons
- Needs a 30A 120V circuit and L5-30 receptacle
Who should skip it: Anyone already adding a new circuit, since a 240V Medallion gives far more space for similar work.
What wire size does an Olympic kiln need?
Olympic prints the copper wire size on each product page, based on the breaker size. The pattern for the models above: 20A kilns (129E, Doll E) use #12, 30A kilns (MAS1818HE, 1214-120HE) use #10, the 40A MAS1823HE uses #8, and the 60A MAS2323HE uses #6. For runs over 40 feet, Olympic steps up one size heavier. Your electrician makes the final call for your panel and local code.
Where Olympic kilns are made
Olympic's history page says Bob Haugen founded the company in Seattle in 1972. It moved to Redmond, Washington, then to Atlanta in 1982, and since 1997 it has built kilns in a 70,000 square foot factory in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Rob Haugen joined in 1991, keeping it a family business. Olympic also builds gas, raku, glass and large industrial kilns; see our gas vs electric kiln comparison.
Olympic kiln shapes, loading styles and chamber volume
Olympic sells more chamber shapes than most brands, so decide how you want to load before you compare prices. The electric range, by Olympic's category pages:
- Top-loading stackable kilns in 18, 23 and 28 inch widths, where you add or remove rings to change depth. The Medallion and Freedom series are top loaders.
- Oval kilns, such as the Doll E, with an elliptical chamber suited to long, narrow pieces.
- TopHat kilns, where a hand crank lifts the whole firing chamber so you can load from all sides. Olympic lists them from 18 to 28 inches wide, at 9 or 13.5 inch depths.
- Studio front-loading kilns with side-hinged, bottom-hinged or guillotine-lift doors. Olympic markets them for jewelry, glass beads, enameling, annealing and ceramics, and the 1818FLE is rated to cone 8, 2,300°F (1,260°C), with 1.95 cubic feet by Clay-King's listing.
- Test kilns at 120V and at 240V or 208V for tiles and small batches.
Volume runs from 0.16 cubic feet in the 120V HotBox E to 5.83 cubic feet in the MAS2323HE, and the large-capacity line goes higher. Front loaders are easier on your back but hold less for the money in Olympic's own list: the 1818FLE costs about the same as the MAS1818HE but holds 1.95 cubic feet against 2.63. Our front-loading vs top-loading comparison goes through the trade-offs.
Olympic plug type by model
Olympic and its dealers list the receptacle for each model, which tells you what your electrician must fit:
- NEMA 5-15 (standard 120V plug): Doll E and HotBox E, though Olympic still asks for a 20A breaker for both.
- NEMA 5-20 (120V, 20A): 129E.
- NEMA L5-30 (120V twist-lock, 30A): 1214-120HE.
- NEMA 6-30 (240V, 30A): MAS1818HE, plus the 1818FLE front loader and 1414HE test kiln per Clay-King.
- NEMA 6-50 (240V, 40A and up): MAS1823HE and the single-phase MAS2323HE.
A 240V plug on the listing does not mean your home has a matching circuit. Have a licensed electrician confirm the panel, breaker and wire before you order. Our 120V vs 240V kiln guide explains the difference.
Olympic raku kilns
Olympic builds raku kilns in two fuels. The gas Raku kilns (18, 23 and 28 Raku) use a hand winch to lift the firing chamber off the floor, so you can reach hot pieces from all sides. Olympic's 18 Raku page lists propane or natural gas, two burners at 120,000 BTU per hour in total, an ignition system with a thermocouple safety shut-off, 3.29 cubic feet, a cone 10 rating and 235 lb. Gas raku models carried list prices of about $3,100 to $5,700 in October 2026.
For electric raku, Olympic lists the 120V 1214E Raku E, rated to cone 4, 2,100°F (1,149°C), and the 240V 1823 Raku E, rated to cone 8, 2,300°F (1,260°C), both in the lifting TopHat style. Gas raku kilns must be set up to Olympic's manual, your propane supplier's instructions and local fire code. Our raku kiln guide and gas vs electric raku comparison cover the choice.
Olympic glass and fusing kilns
Olympic's glass range includes 120V cylindrical and square kilns for fused glass and precious metal clay, annealing and crucible kilns, 240V square and oval glass kilns, and large fusing kilns, in bell, clamshell, front and top loading styles. The 120V Champ is a 14 inch round kiln rated to 1,700°F (927°C), so it is a glass kiln, not a pottery kiln.
The small HotBox E is the exception that crosses over. Olympic lists a 6.5 inch cube chamber (0.16 cubic feet), 120V, 15A, a NEMA 5-15 plug on a 20A breaker, 2.5 inch brick, a Bartlett Spark touchscreen and a cone 10 rating, and it names glass fusing, metal clay and studio ceramics among its uses. Check the maximum temperature on any Olympic glass kiln before you plan to fire clay in it.
Olympic kiln prices
Olympic posts list prices on its site, which few kiln makers do. In October 2026 the main bands were:
- 120V glass and test kilns: about $1,100 to $2,000 list, such as the HotBox E and Champ.
- 129E (120V, cone 6): typically $1,600 to $1,900 before freight.
- Studio front loaders: about $1,800 to $3,000 list.
- Medallion MAS1818HE and MAS1823HE: typically $2,400 to $3,000 before freight.
- TopHat lifting kilns: about $2,300 to $6,700 list, depending on size.
- Torchbearer updraft gas kilns: about $2,700 to $4,900 list.
Dealers often sell below list, and freight, a furniture kit, a vent and the electrician's work come on top. Our kiln cost guide adds those up; check the live price with Olympic or a dealer.
Olympic lead times and quick-ship models
We did not find a quick-ship program on Olympic's site in October 2026, and its pages tell buyers to call Olympic about shipping times. Clay-King, an Olympic dealer, listed the 1818FLE and 1414HE as shipping direct from the maker with an estimated lead time of 12 weeks. Ask the dealer whether your model is in stock before you assume a factory build, and plan your electrician's visit around the delivery date.
If you are still comparing electric, gas and wood kilns in general, our kiln hub explains the main types of kilns.
What Olympic does well
Olympic publishes the most complete wiring tables we found: amps, watts, breaker, wire size with a long-run rule, and receptacle for each voltage. Medallion kilns use 3 inch brick across the line, and Olympic lists 208V and 240V figures for the same model so you can see the amp change before you order.
The range is wide. There are 120V test kilns, front-loaders, oval kilns, stackable kilns in 18, 23 and 28 inch widths, and large production models.
Weak points
Amazon carries few Olympic models; the MAS1823HE is the main one in our research, so most buyers go through a dealer or Olympic. The KilnStar controller is a keypad unit, and the Genesis touchscreen is an extra-cost option. The MAS1818HE draws fewer watts than some rivals of the same size, so heavy loads may fire slower. Freight adds to the list price.
Who should buy an Olympic kiln, and who should skip
Buy an Olympic if you value 3 inch brick, clear wiring data and a family-built US kiln. The MAS1818HE and MAS1823HE are sensible first kilns for a 240V garage studio. Skip Olympic if you want to order through Amazon with fast shipping, or if you want a touchscreen and app included as standard.
Kiln walls get hot during firings. Keep Olympic's stated clearances from walls, vent the room or fit a kiln vent, and keep the area free of stored paper and solvents. Wet-clean clay dust; it contains silica.
Alternatives to Olympic
- Skutt kilns: KM-818 is the closest rival to the MAS1818HE.
- L&L kilns: hard ceramic element holders on every Easy-Fire.
- Evenheat kilns: Michigan-built, with RM and HF series.
- Olympic vs Skutt: head-to-head comparison.
- Best electric kilns: our picks across brands.
Sources: Olympic Kilns product pages for MAS1818HE, MAS1823HE, MAS2323HE, 129E, Doll E/Test E and 1214-120HE; Olympic Medallion Artist Series and 120V category pages with list prices; Olympic company history page; Olympic electric, TopHat, studio front-loading, gas, raku and Torchbearer, and glass category pages with list prices; Olympic product pages for 18 Raku, 1827G and HotBox E; Clay-King listings for Olympic 1818FLE and 1414HE; Amazon MAS1823HE listing. Specs checked October 2026.