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Paragon Caldera
The Compact Kiln That Does It All
The Paragon Caldera is a small kiln with an extraordinary range. Designed for artists, hobbyists, and educators who demand flexibility and performance, this tabletop kiln can fire metal clay, glass, ceramics, enamel, and more—all in one compact unit. Whether you’re fusing dichroic glass, sintering silver clay, or testing stoneware glazes, the CALDERA is your all-purpose creative companion.
Firing up to 2350°F (1287°C), it brings professional capability to your bench or classroom.
Versatile and Addictive for Glass and Metal Clay Artists
Explore an entire spectrum of techniques with the Paragon Caldera:
- Fuse, slump, and sag glass into pendants, bowls, and earrings
- Fire fine silver, bronze, and copper clays into finished jewelry
- Test glazes and fire small ceramic pieces or stoneware experiments
- Create enamel on copper and fuse china paints or decals
Some artists even convert the Paragon Caldera into a vitrigraph kiln by modifying the firebrick base—adding a hole to pull molten glass for flowing stringers and patterns
This kiln is ideal for personal projects, workshops, or schools looking to expand their creative capabilities without investing in multiple units.
Modular Expansion for Evolving Needs
Unlike most compact kilns, the Paragon Caldera is modular. Expand its capabilities with purpose-built collars:
- Caldera-BC Bead Collar – Adds 4.5" height and a 7.5” x 2” bead door for annealing mandrels
- Caldera-X Collar – Same height as the BC, without bead door
- Caldera-E Enameling Collar – Adds 6.75" of vertical space for enameling or taller workpieces
These collars stack onto the base kiln to match your firing goals—making the Paragon Caldera a truly customizable kiln system.
Built to Endure Years of Use
The CALDERA is crafted with the same reliability and build quality found in all Paragon kilns:
- 2.5” insulating firebrick walls for efficiency and stability
- Dropped, recessed grooves protect elements for extended life
- L-shaped lap joints at corners add strength beyond mitered or butted designs
- Heavy-duty element connectors and steel stand with mar-proof feet
- Vented switch box and rugged wiring for long-term service in busy studios or classrooms
Even the firebrick base is reversible, allowing you to flip and extend its life in case of wear.
Smart Digital Control with the Sentinel TouchXpress
Every Paragon Caldera comes equipped with the Sentinel TouchXpress digital touchscreen controller, giving you complete control over ramp rates, hold times, and firing schedules. Store custom programs, monitor real-time temperature, and switch between glass and ceramic profiles with just a few taps.
For glass artists, an optional high-temperature window (rated to 2300°F) lets you monitor fusing progress. Note: using the window reduces the kiln’s max temp to approx. 2100°F—still ideal for most glass and enamel applications.
Ideal for:
- Jewelry makers working with silver clay, bronze, copper, porcelain, or enamels
- Glass fusers needing a compact unit for small projects or samples
- Potters and ceramicists testing glaze compatibility or claybody performance
- Teachers and classrooms needing fast results for student work
- Artists looking for a small kiln that grows with them—and can even be modified for vitrigraph use
Standard Features:
- Sentinel TouchXpress touchscreen controller
- Firing range up to 2350°F (1287°C)
- 2.5” thick insulating firebrick chamber
- Dropped brick element grooves
- Reversible firebrick base
- Rugged steel stand with mar-proof feet
- Vented switch box and heavy-gauge wiring
- Lid and base are interchangeable (when not using optional window)
- Modular collar system available for expansion
- Operates on 120V household power
Built with Pride in Mesquite, Texas
Every Paragon kiln is handcrafted in Mesquite, Texas by a dedicated team of skilled craftsmen and craftswomen. With decades of experience behind us, we take pride in building kilns that deliver lasting performance, precision, and peace of mind.
From our engineers to our assembly team, we stand behind every kiln we make—because we know what it means to invest in your craft. When you choose Paragon, you're not just buying a kiln—you're gaining the backing of a company that truly cares about your success.
Furniture Kit Includes:
1 - 7" square shelf
4- 1" square posts, 1/2" tall
1 - 1lb bag glass separator
Paragon Caldera
Make jewelry from the amazing silver, bronze, and copper clays that are shaped with simple tools and fired. Fire ceramics, porcelain, or stoneware jewelry. When you are ready to try something new, fire china, decals, enameling, and glass in Paragon’s digital Caldera kiln. Glass compatibility and glaze color tests are fast and easy. The Caldera fires rapidly to 2350°F/1287°C.
Steel stand, stackable design
The Caldera ships with a sturdy 2 3/4" high x 14" x 12 3/4" steel stand, complete with mar-proof rubber feet. With a separate top and bottom, the Caldera is stackable and portable. The kiln is easy to carry in sections to seminars. Take it with you on vacation retreats. For a digital kiln that can do this much, the Caldera is a bargain.
A true workhorse
"I love, love, love the Caldera. I not only fuse glass and work in metal clay, but I teach a lot of classes, so I'm firing the kiln all the time. It is a true workhorse. In three years I have not had one problem with it. I have done drop ring vases, small pot melts, small dishes, and candleholders in it. It is inexpensive to run on 120 volts." --Lisel Crowley
Versatile, fun
Imagine the glass you could make with this kiln: Sag, slump, and fuse. Make small bowls, pendants, earrings, cufflinks, and even bracelets. Enjoy glittering dichroic glass. This kiln will give you a haven of creative enjoyment that you will especially appreciate when life gets hectic. You will soon find that glass fusing is addictive.
The joy of testing
You will never outgrow a small kiln. If you later buy a larger one, you can continue to use the small one for testing and small projects. Perfect a new design in the small kiln before running production quantities in the large kiln. A small test kiln is invaluable in solving ceramic glaze problems and perfecting difficult glazes such as crystallines.
The Caldera in the classroom
A Caldera is a nice addition to school programs. A test kiln is relatively inexpensive. Students can make gifts in the Caldera in time for a birthday or holiday instead of waiting until the school’s large kiln is fired. A test kiln creates enthusiasm for a clay program. Students can test glazes while they feel the momentum instead of waiting to fire them in the large kiln.New teachers inherit bags of unlabeled clay in their classrooms. Many kiln loads of ware have been ruined because they were fired to the wrong temperature. With a Caldera kiln, you can easily test unlabeled clay.
Strong lap joints
To strengthen the firing chamber, the firebrick corners are fitted together with L-shaped notches. This type of joint lasts longer than the butted joint and the "picture frame" mitered joint found on competitive brands. The base is versatile and can be flipped if one side is damaged. The lid and base are interchangeable unless you order the lid with a glass window.
Reliable construction
This kiln is built to last. Elements are coiled from the finest high-temperature wire available. They use heat-dissipating element connectors refined and proven over many years in Paragon kilns.
-2 ½" insulating refractory firebricks
-Dropped, recessed brick grooves protect the element for long life.
-Vented switch box, heavy duty wiring for years of reliable service.
-Heavy-duty steel stand with mar-proof feet
The optional glass window
You can order your Caldera with an optional glass window in the top. The glass window is rated to 2300°F (1260°C), so it can easily withstand glass fusing temperatures. Please note, however, that the window reduces the kiln’s maximum temperature to approximately 2100°F (1148°C) and is meant for glass fusing. (You can still fire porcelain and stoneware jewelry even with the window, but you will need to plug the window with ceramic fiber.)
Expansion collars
The basic Caldera is part of a kiln expansion system. Add a collar for annealing glass beads or enameling small copper pieces. Add 4 1/2" of height to the Caldera with a Caldera-BC collar, which has a 7 ½" x 2" door on the side for annealing glass beads. The Caldera-X is the same type of collar, but without the bead door. Explore copper enameling with the 6 3/4" tall Caldera-E collar.
-Caldera-BC Bead Collar
-Caldera-X Collar
-Caldera-E Enameling Collar
Warning for the caldera kiln equipped with a lid safety switch and collar
The Caldera kiln was intended to be a stackable kiln with a separate lid and bottom. However, the lid must be hinged to the Caldera body when a lid safety switch is installed. To stabilize a Caldera kiln that has a hinged lid, we attach the kiln body and kiln bottom together with two latches.
If an unlatched collar (enameling, bead, or extension) is mounted between the Caldera body and the kiln bottom, care must be taken when opening the hinged lid. Do not open the lid past 90 degrees (where the lid is straight up) unless the lid leans against a heat-proof support behind the kiln.
Please be aware when firing the Caldera with any collar in place, the maximum temperature is reduced. Enameling Collar - 1800°F; Bead Collar - 2000°F; Extension Collar - 1700°F
Convenient UPS/FedEx
The Caldera can ship by UPS/FedEx for lower shipping cost and faster service. Specially designed cartons and foam padding assure that the kiln will arrive safely. Save the box and foam packing inserts so you can conveniently move the kiln while on vacation or to seminars. Unstack and load the kiln sections in minutes.
Thermocouple with "special limit" wire
The thermocouple senses temperature inside the kiln. It is the small rod that extends into the firing chamber. The ¼" wide Type-K, 14-gauge, exposed-tip thermocouple is made with special-limit wire for superior accuracy. The exposed tip gives the controller a fast response time for even temperatures during holds. The thermocouple is made in America to our exacting standards.
Designed for production
Paragon’s warranty is not affected by frequency of use. Fire your new kiln every day if you want, even in commercial settings. That will have no effect on the warranty period.
Optional colors at no extra charge
Brighten your studio with color! Order your kiln in one of our standard colors at no extra charge . . . berry, black, blue, hot pink, jade, navy, purple, or turquoise.
Add Caldera Furniture Kit
The Compact Kiln That Does It All
The Paragon Caldera is a small kiln with an extraordinary range. Designed for artists, hobbyists, and educators who demand flexibility and performance, this tabletop kiln can fire metal clay, glass, ceramics, enamel, and more—all in one compact unit. Whether you’re fusing dichroic glass, sintering silver clay, or testing stoneware glazes, the CALDERA is your all-purpose creative companion.
Firing up to 2350°F (1287°C), it brings professional capability to your bench or classroom.
Versatile and Addictive for Glass and Metal Clay Artists
Explore an entire spectrum of techniques with the Paragon Caldera:
- Fuse, slump, and sag glass into pendants, bowls, and earrings
- Fire fine silver, bronze, and copper clays into finished jewelry
- Test glazes and fire small ceramic pieces or stoneware experiments
- Create enamel on copper and fuse china paints or decals
Some artists even convert the Paragon Caldera into a vitrigraph kiln by modifying the firebrick base—adding a hole to pull molten glass for flowing stringers and patterns
This kiln is ideal for personal projects, workshops, or schools looking to expand their creative capabilities without investing in multiple units.
Modular Expansion for Evolving Needs
Unlike most compact kilns, the Paragon Caldera is modular. Expand its capabilities with purpose-built collars:
- Caldera-BC Bead Collar – Adds 4.5" height and a 7.5” x 2” bead door for annealing mandrels
- Caldera-X Collar – Same height as the BC, without bead door
- Caldera-E Enameling Collar – Adds 6.75" of vertical space for enameling or taller workpieces
These collars stack onto the base kiln to match your firing goals—making the Paragon Caldera a truly customizable kiln system.
Built to Endure Years of Use
The CALDERA is crafted with the same reliability and build quality found in all Paragon kilns:
- 2.5” insulating firebrick walls for efficiency and stability
- Dropped, recessed grooves protect elements for extended life
- L-shaped lap joints at corners add strength beyond mitered or butted designs
- Heavy-duty element connectors and steel stand with mar-proof feet
- Vented switch box and rugged wiring for long-term service in busy studios or classrooms
Even the firebrick base is reversible, allowing you to flip and extend its life in case of wear.
Smart Digital Control with the Sentinel TouchXpress
Every Paragon Caldera comes equipped with the Sentinel TouchXpress digital touchscreen controller, giving you complete control over ramp rates, hold times, and firing schedules. Store custom programs, monitor real-time temperature, and switch between glass and ceramic profiles with just a few taps.
For glass artists, an optional high-temperature window (rated to 2300°F) lets you monitor fusing progress. Note: using the window reduces the kiln’s max temp to approx. 2100°F—still ideal for most glass and enamel applications.
Ideal for:
- Jewelry makers working with silver clay, bronze, copper, porcelain, or enamels
- Glass fusers needing a compact unit for small projects or samples
- Potters and ceramicists testing glaze compatibility or claybody performance
- Teachers and classrooms needing fast results for student work
- Artists looking for a small kiln that grows with them—and can even be modified for vitrigraph use
Standard Features:
- Sentinel TouchXpress touchscreen controller
- Firing range up to 2350°F (1287°C)
- 2.5” thick insulating firebrick chamber
- Dropped brick element grooves
- Reversible firebrick base
- Rugged steel stand with mar-proof feet
- Vented switch box and heavy-gauge wiring
- Lid and base are interchangeable (when not using optional window)
- Modular collar system available for expansion
- Operates on 120V household power
Built with Pride in Mesquite, Texas
Every Paragon kiln is handcrafted in Mesquite, Texas by a dedicated team of skilled craftsmen and craftswomen. With decades of experience behind us, we take pride in building kilns that deliver lasting performance, precision, and peace of mind.
From our engineers to our assembly team, we stand behind every kiln we make—because we know what it means to invest in your craft. When you choose Paragon, you're not just buying a kiln—you're gaining the backing of a company that truly cares about your success.
Furniture Kit Includes:
1 - 7" square shelf
4- 1" square posts, 1/2" tall
1 - 1lb bag glass separator
Paragon Caldera
Make jewelry from the amazing silver, bronze, and copper clays that are shaped with simple tools and fired. Fire ceramics, porcelain, or stoneware jewelry. When you are ready to try something new, fire china, decals, enameling, and glass in Paragon’s digital Caldera kiln. Glass compatibility and glaze color tests are fast and easy. The Caldera fires rapidly to 2350°F/1287°C.
Steel stand, stackable design
The Caldera ships with a sturdy 2 3/4" high x 14" x 12 3/4" steel stand, complete with mar-proof rubber feet. With a separate top and bottom, the Caldera is stackable and portable. The kiln is easy to carry in sections to seminars. Take it with you on vacation retreats. For a digital kiln that can do this much, the Caldera is a bargain.
A true workhorse
"I love, love, love the Caldera. I not only fuse glass and work in metal clay, but I teach a lot of classes, so I'm firing the kiln all the time. It is a true workhorse. In three years I have not had one problem with it. I have done drop ring vases, small pot melts, small dishes, and candleholders in it. It is inexpensive to run on 120 volts." --Lisel Crowley
Versatile, fun
Imagine the glass you could make with this kiln: Sag, slump, and fuse. Make small bowls, pendants, earrings, cufflinks, and even bracelets. Enjoy glittering dichroic glass. This kiln will give you a haven of creative enjoyment that you will especially appreciate when life gets hectic. You will soon find that glass fusing is addictive.
The joy of testing
You will never outgrow a small kiln. If you later buy a larger one, you can continue to use the small one for testing and small projects. Perfect a new design in the small kiln before running production quantities in the large kiln. A small test kiln is invaluable in solving ceramic glaze problems and perfecting difficult glazes such as crystallines.
The Caldera in the classroom
A Caldera is a nice addition to school programs. A test kiln is relatively inexpensive. Students can make gifts in the Caldera in time for a birthday or holiday instead of waiting until the school’s large kiln is fired. A test kiln creates enthusiasm for a clay program. Students can test glazes while they feel the momentum instead of waiting to fire them in the large kiln.New teachers inherit bags of unlabeled clay in their classrooms. Many kiln loads of ware have been ruined because they were fired to the wrong temperature. With a Caldera kiln, you can easily test unlabeled clay.
Strong lap joints
To strengthen the firing chamber, the firebrick corners are fitted together with L-shaped notches. This type of joint lasts longer than the butted joint and the "picture frame" mitered joint found on competitive brands. The base is versatile and can be flipped if one side is damaged. The lid and base are interchangeable unless you order the lid with a glass window.
Reliable construction
This kiln is built to last. Elements are coiled from the finest high-temperature wire available. They use heat-dissipating element connectors refined and proven over many years in Paragon kilns.
-2 ½" insulating refractory firebricks
-Dropped, recessed brick grooves protect the element for long life.
-Vented switch box, heavy duty wiring for years of reliable service.
-Heavy-duty steel stand with mar-proof feet
The optional glass window
You can order your Caldera with an optional glass window in the top. The glass window is rated to 2300°F (1260°C), so it can easily withstand glass fusing temperatures. Please note, however, that the window reduces the kiln’s maximum temperature to approximately 2100°F (1148°C) and is meant for glass fusing. (You can still fire porcelain and stoneware jewelry even with the window, but you will need to plug the window with ceramic fiber.)
Expansion collars
The basic Caldera is part of a kiln expansion system. Add a collar for annealing glass beads or enameling small copper pieces. Add 4 1/2" of height to the Caldera with a Caldera-BC collar, which has a 7 ½" x 2" door on the side for annealing glass beads. The Caldera-X is the same type of collar, but without the bead door. Explore copper enameling with the 6 3/4" tall Caldera-E collar.
-Caldera-BC Bead Collar
-Caldera-X Collar
-Caldera-E Enameling Collar
Warning for the caldera kiln equipped with a lid safety switch and collar
The Caldera kiln was intended to be a stackable kiln with a separate lid and bottom. However, the lid must be hinged to the Caldera body when a lid safety switch is installed. To stabilize a Caldera kiln that has a hinged lid, we attach the kiln body and kiln bottom together with two latches.
If an unlatched collar (enameling, bead, or extension) is mounted between the Caldera body and the kiln bottom, care must be taken when opening the hinged lid. Do not open the lid past 90 degrees (where the lid is straight up) unless the lid leans against a heat-proof support behind the kiln.
Please be aware when firing the Caldera with any collar in place, the maximum temperature is reduced. Enameling Collar - 1800°F; Bead Collar - 2000°F; Extension Collar - 1700°F
Convenient UPS/FedEx
The Caldera can ship by UPS/FedEx for lower shipping cost and faster service. Specially designed cartons and foam padding assure that the kiln will arrive safely. Save the box and foam packing inserts so you can conveniently move the kiln while on vacation or to seminars. Unstack and load the kiln sections in minutes.
Thermocouple with "special limit" wire
The thermocouple senses temperature inside the kiln. It is the small rod that extends into the firing chamber. The ¼" wide Type-K, 14-gauge, exposed-tip thermocouple is made with special-limit wire for superior accuracy. The exposed tip gives the controller a fast response time for even temperatures during holds. The thermocouple is made in America to our exacting standards.
Designed for production
Paragon’s warranty is not affected by frequency of use. Fire your new kiln every day if you want, even in commercial settings. That will have no effect on the warranty period.
Optional colors at no extra charge
Brighten your studio with color! Order your kiln in one of our standard colors at no extra charge . . . berry, black, blue, hot pink, jade, navy, purple, or turquoise.
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