Paragon Kiln - CT81722

PARAGON CT81722: Reliable, Roomy, and Surprisingly Affordable

The Paragon CT-81722 Kiln is a powerful, front-loading ceramic kiln designed for professional artists, educators, and studios that require ample firing space and precise temperature control. Featuring a spacious 16.5" wide x 22.25" deep x 22" high chamber, this kiln easily accommodates taller pottery, ceramic sculptures, and stacked shelf loads, making it ideal for both production and large-scale ceramic projects. Rated for Cone 10 (2350°F), it is perfect for firing stoneware, porcelain, and high-fire clays. The Sentry Digital Controller provides full programmability for complex firing schedules, ensuring consistency and reliability across bisque and glaze firings. Its front-loading design allows for easy access and safe loading, while the high-quality firebrick insulation ensures excellent heat retention and energy efficiency. Built with durability and performance in mind, the CT-81722 is a top choice for serious ceramic work.

Built on the Ceramic Top legacy

The PARAGON CT Series—short for Ceramic Top—delivers professional-grade performance with durability and thoughtful engineering built into every model. These round kilns are trusted by ceramic artists, educators, and studios alike for their consistency and longevity. Every CT model includes:

• 3” thick firebrick throughout for superior insulation
• Solid state relay (SSR) for quieter, more efficient, and longer-lasting performance
• AOP (Auxiliary Outlet Plug) and vent-ready design (pre-drilled for kiln vent installation)
• Dropped, recessed element grooves—no pins required
• Full-formed galvanized steel base that strengthens and protects the firing chamber
• Dust-resistant coating on lid, peepholes, and rim to extend component life

Why choose the PARAGON CT81722?

This model is a round, 8-sided kiln with an interior diameter of 17” and a height of 22”, offering a total firing volume of 2.95 cubic feet. Compact yet powerful, it’s the perfect step up from smaller hobby kilns, offering enough space for larger or multiple pieces without demanding major electrical upgrades. It operates on common studio circuits and is a cost-effective option per cubic foot—ideal for ceramics enthusiasts, classrooms, and professional potters producing low-fire ware, porcelain, or stoneware.

Durability meets convenience

The CT81722 includes a top row of grooveless 2” blank bricks, which are less prone to chipping during loading and unloading. The kiln is also fitted with a drop-down switch box, hinged at the bottom for easy forward access during maintenance, supported by a fold-out arm. A reversible brick floor extends the kiln’s lifespan by allowing even wear over time.

Additional Highlights

• Lock-in lid support with positive catch

• Two wide-view tapered peepholes
• Fall-away two-stage Prop-R-Vent system
• Heavy-duty stainless steel case construction
• Fire directly on the brick bottom for full capacity
• Certified to CSA and UL Standard 499

Optional Furniture Kit

• 6 C-23H Shelves (20” round x ¾”)
• 1½” square posts, 8 each: 1”, 2”, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”
• 1 lb. kiln wash

The Kiln Stand

In the Available Options, you can choose choose the Standard Kiln Stand (6" tall with mar-proof plastic feet), or the 12" Deluxe Rolling Kiln Stand (Recommended if you are adding a VentMaster Kiln Vent).

Optional Kiln Vent

The patented Orton Vent Master not only vents fumes but also improves firing results. Read the Add-On section to learn more.

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.

FEATURES OF THE SENTINEL TOUCH SCREEN CONTROLLER -                                 

*Touch-screen technology for the user interface
*Easy-to-follow screen descriptions
*Different user-interface levels, which can be set to match the user’s firing knowledge
*Graphical display of the firing process right at the controller
*Store up to 30 custom user programs
*Up to 32 segments per program
*Ability to make adjustment during a firing such as add segments, add temperature, and skip segments
*Built in diagnostics testing for use with a current sensor
*Alarm
*Error Codes
*WiFi enabled for easy software updating
*Register your Genesis on the manufacturer web site or mobile app for remote monitoring of your kiln

The Kiln Stand

In the "Available Options," please choose the Standard Kiln Stand (6" tall with mar-proof plastic feet), or the 12" Deluxe Rolling Kiln Stand (Recommended if you are adding a VentMaster Kiln Vent).

Other Features 

• 2”-high blank bricks in the top row of sidewall bricks
• Sectional design for easier maintenance and moving through narrow passageways
• Sections secured with deluxe twist-lock spring latches
• Lock-in lid support
• Large, tapered peepholes
• Ventilated switch box
• Hand lifts
• Dropped, recessed brick grooves—no pins needed
• Heavy duty elements
• Dust-free coating in the peepholes, both sides of the lid and top rim of firebrick
• Heavy gauge stainless steel case
• Operating instructions silk-screened on the switch box
• Certified to CSA & UL Standard 499
• Full-formed galvanized steel base plate

The Optional Furniture Kit

The furniture kit consists of carefully selected fireclay shelves and posts for this particular model. When estimating the price of the kiln, include the cost of furniture. The furniture allows you to stack multiple layers of ware. Without it, you could fire only the ware that would fit on the kiln bottom.

The Furniture Kit:

• 3 C-18 Shelves 1 C-18H 1/2 Shelf 
• 1" wide Square Posts, 4 of each - 1/2”, 1”, 2”, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6” lengths
•  
• 1 lb. Bag Kiln Wash
•  

Furniture Kit Shipping Weight: 34 lbs.

Optional Lid Safety Switch

The optional lid safety switch turns off power to the heating elements when the lid is raised. The controller remains powered. The switch turns the power to the elements back on when the lid is closed. The switch mounts to the back of the lid. IMPORTANT: The lid safety switch is required in some areas such as Canada and Europe.

Optional VentMaster 120 Kiln Vent

The patented Orton Vent Master not only vents fumes but also improves firing results. Click Here to learn more!

Optional AOP Outlet

The “Auxiliary Output” is available on most Paragon TnF kilns. The AOP is a relay-powered electrical receptacle mounted to the kiln. You can plug an Orton KilnVent into the AOP to control when the vent turns on during firing.

FEATURES OF THE GENESIS TOUCH SCREEN CONTROLLER -                                 

*Touch-screen technology for the user interface
*Easy-to-follow screen descriptions
*Different user-interface levels, which can be set to match the user’s firing knowledge
*Graphical display of the firing process right at the controller
*Store up to 30 custom user programs
*Up to 32 segments per program
*Ability to make adjustment during a firing such as add segments, add temperature, and skip segments
*Built in diagnostics testing for use with a current sensor
*Alarm
*Error Codes
*WiFi enabled for easy software updating
*Register your Genesis on the manufacturer web site or mobile app for remote monitoring of your kiln

The Kiln Stand

In the "Available Options," please choose the Standard Kiln Stand (6" tall with mar-proof plastic feet), or the 12" Deluxe Rolling Kiln Stand (Recommended if you are adding a VentMaster Kiln Vent).

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.

Features of the CT81722

• Long-life electrical system with high temperature wire
• Lock-in lid support with a positive catch
• 2 wide-view tapered peepholes
• Ventilated, louvered switch box
• 2 hand lifts
• Heavy duty kiln stand with mar-proof plastic feet
• Full-formed, galvanized steel base covers the entire brick bottom
• Fall-away two stage Prop-R-Vent for venting the ware
• Coated lid, peepholes and rim of firebricks for extended firebrick life
• Operating instructions on switch box
• Heavy gauge stainless steel case
• Full firing capacity: fire ware directly on the brick bottom
• Reversible brick bottom
• Dropped, recessed brick grooves help prevent element bulging; eliminate the need for element pins; make changing the element easier and faster than some competing models that require element pins.

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.

Specifications

Disclaimer: The specifications above assume that the kiln will be plugged into a dedicated circuit. Local electric codes supersede our recommendations.

The pricing and electrical specifications for the above products reflect their design for use in the United States. The International versions of most models will have variations in electrical specifications and price due to consumer safety requirements or electrical regulations.

Paragon kilns are warranted to the original purchaser by Paragon Industries, L.P. (herein Paragon), subject to the listed exclusions below, to be free of defects in workmanship for the periods specified below. The warranty period begins from the date of shipment from the Paragon factory unless the date of the original purchase from an authorized Paragon distributor or dealer can be established.

Full Warranty Details