I think I want to build a kiln......

try

Yeah...what Charlie said...;-)

I built my own 'bell' kiln 27x57" ID, 12" high, ages ago....yes... before the (dare I say it) .. the internet! At least it was years before my first computer, and I was a very late comer. My point is that with the internet resources, Warmglass.com, and the combined experiences of many home-builders, you should have an easy road of it. It took me about 1 month start to finish with NO real resources, just a phone and a notepad to start. So, if you have a modicum of do-it-yerselfer in ya', and time and $$, you CAN do it... and save a huge wad of cash doing so (but only if it WORKS when you are done). My refractory guy saw it and said it would have cost $20k to buy ready made....my outlay was about $2400 including controller ... but 10+ years ago supply prices.

Cheers, Jacques Bordeleau

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I build big kilns from scrap materials for peanuts and I say they are the most efficient in the world.

my largest fuser is top loading and takes two 20" square stainless trays. the walls are several inches thick, due to use of mega insulation. these can never be moved, but I use 1/3 the electricity of anybody else.

make my own coils etc.

first see if you can find a mfg in your area that uses Insulated Fire Brick. it would be some type of hot furnace operations. many different industries have large hot furnaces and they throw away really good IFB.

second read up on vermiculite / perlite. I use this in the cement and as insulation.

not a pretty looking furnace, but it cooks that glass.

Go for it.