THE PRACTICAL GUIDES
Melbourne pottery firing: prices and temperatures
The firing temperature comes first. A cheap kiln service is no use if it cannot fire your clay and glaze.
These seven Melbourne services accept outside work and publish their rates. Prices below are per firing, in Australian dollars, checked on 27 September 2026. Bisque and glaze normally mean two separate charges.
Match the clay before comparing prices
Midfire: Mayfield and Sunroom publish regular options; OoPs also favours midfire. High-fire: Berke and Céramiques publish a 1280°C glaze firing. Several temperature ranges: SaJo offers bisque through to lustre and overglaze. Reduction firing: The Kiln Room publishes a special-request rate alongside its general firing service.
Take the clay product name and glaze label to the studio. A broad label such as “stoneware” does not establish that your materials suit its firing schedule.
Abbotsford
Mayfield Studios
Bisque A$10/kg; glaze A$15/kg. Minimum 1kg per firing.
Cone 6 glaze and high-fire stoneware are available. Bring fully dry work with clean bases; staff check clay and glaze suitability before accepting it. The page does not give a fixed turnaround.
Pascoe Vale South
Sunroom Studio
Bisque A$10/kg, minimum 1kg; glaze A$14/kg.
Earthenware at 1080°C, midfire at 1205 to 1222°C and stoneware at 1260°C. Pots are weighed on arrival and prepaid. Midfire runs more often, so allow longer for earthenware or stoneware.
Kilsyth
SaJo Ceramics
A$12/kg per oxidation firing, including GST.
Bisque, earthenware, midfire, stoneware and lustre/overglaze are offered. Pots are weighed after firing. The usual estimate is two weeks, depending on demand. Difficult loading, such as tiny pieces, adds A$4/kg; optional clear glazing adds A$5/kg.
Eltham
Berke Pottery & Art Studio
A$12/kg per firing; minimum A$12.
Bisque runs at 960 to 1000°C and glaze at 1280°C. Allow the published seven to fourteen days for each stage, rather than treating that as the time for both firings.
Elsternwick
Céramiques Elsternwick
A$15/kg per firing; minimum 1kg.
Bisque at 1000°C and high-fire at 1280°C only. No earthenware or midfire. Drop off Friday 2pm to 7pm or Saturday 9am to 2pm without booking. The stated turnaround is one to two weeks, with a text when work is ready.
Hampton
OoPs One-off Pottery Studio
Bisque A$12/kg; midfire A$16/kg; stoneware A$18/kg.
Minimum charge A$12, weighed after firing. Bisque and midfire are the regular options; stoneware and earthenware depend on enough work to fill a kiln. The maximum published piece size is 35cm high by 40cm wide. Text ahead to arrange drop-off.
Keysborough
The Kiln Room
General firing A$15.50/kg; reduction A$22/kg by special request.
The minimum charge is A$15.50 for general firing or A$22 for reduction. General firing covers bisque, earthenware, midfire, stoneware oxidation, lustre and decals. Reduction is a useful additional option if that is the atmosphere your work requires; arrange it with the studio before dropping off.
Work is weighed after firing and paid for on collection. Pieces under 200g add A$0.50 each; large pieces and difficult loading can cost more. The usual estimate is about a week per firing, depending on the work and kiln demand.
Compare the complete job
Where a studio sets a 1kg minimum, that minimum applies to each firing, even if your piece weighs less. For example, Céramiques charges at least A$15 for bisque and another A$15 for glaze. Glaze application, difficult loading and damage charges may be separate.
Weight can change during drying and firing, and studios weigh at different stages. Use these rates to shortlist a service, then agree the price and timing for your actual work. Browse all public firing services for more locations.
For a complete batch of work, the private kiln-hire comparison explains whole-load bookings, staff loading, overflow and the collection calendar.
For a crew-based event, the wood-firing workshop guide separates a teaching day from a participation ticket, group pricing and unloading.
Editorial guidance with linked sources. Reviewed 2026-09-27.