Olympic Kilns

Overview

Olympic Kilns manufactures electric, gas, and glass firing kilns for hobbyists, production artists, and manufacturers of fired ware. Originating in Washington state, the company relocated to Georgia in 1982 for proximity to raw materials like insulating firebrick and now offers a wide range of kiln models from its facility in Flowery Branch.¹²³

History

Olympic Kilns was founded in 1972 in Seattle, Washington, by Bob Haugen, initially focusing on innovative gas and electric kiln designs. The company expanded with moves to Redmond, Washington in 1977 and Atlanta, Georgia in 1982 to access materials and markets. In 1997, it relocated to a 70,000 square foot factory in Flowery Branch, Georgia, where it continues operations; Rob Haugen joined in 1991.³⁴

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Olympic Kilns manufactures its products in-house at its 70,000 square foot facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, USA. The company sources insulating firebrick locally in Georgia to reduce costs. All kilns are made in the USA.³⁴⁵

Notable Products

• Cress Kilns (electric series) - Popular electric models for pottery firing with reliable temperature control.
• FL Series (glass fusing) - Front-loading kilns suited for glass slumping and fusing projects.
• GM Series (gas car kilns) - Gas-fired models for high-volume production firing.
• J Series (small electric) - Compact tabletop kilns for hobbyists and small studios.
• Kingpin (top-loading electric) - Durable electric kilns with easy-access designs for ceramics.

Reputation

Olympic Kilns is regarded by potters and glass artists for its durability, wide model variety, and over 50 years of manufacturing experience in the USA. Professionals value the innovative designs and customer support through a network of US and international distributors. Some users note higher pricing compared to imports, but praise the quality and longevity of the kilns.³⁴⁵⁶