A pottery kiln listing gives you four numbers that matter: internal dimensions, power in kilowatts, maximum temperature and, sometimes, whether furniture is included. Comparing on price without those four is how people end up with a kiln that will not fit their work or their supply.
Reading a listing properly
Internal dimensions rather than external, because insulation is thick. Kilowatts, because that determines whether it plugs in. Maximum temperature with a margin over your working range. And whether shelves and props are included, since a full set of furniture is a real fraction of the kiln price and is frequently sold separately.
New listings and lead times
Kilns are often built to order and lead times of several weeks are normal, particularly for larger machines. That is worth knowing before planning around a delivery date. Suppliers who stock kilns rather than building them can be much faster and carry a narrower range.
Used listings
Ask what the last firing reached and how long it took, whether elements have been replaced and when, whether the controller works, and whether parts are still available for the model. A seller who can answer all four is usually selling a maintained machine, and one who cannot may still be, but the price should reflect the uncertainty.
What is nearly always excluded
Delivery and positioning, which for a heavy kiln up a step is not trivial; electrical installation; and kiln furniture. Budget all three from the start. The kiln price is the largest single number and it is not the total.
Questions people ask about pottery kiln
Are shelves included with a kiln?
Often not. A full set of furniture is a significant separate cost and should be checked in the listing.
How long is the wait for a new kiln?
Several weeks is common because many are built to order. Suppliers holding stock can be much quicker.
What should I ask a private seller?
What the last firing reached and how long it took, when elements were last replaced, whether the controller works, and whether parts are still available.