Bonsai Pots & Kiln Firings in Los Angeles (Cone Temps, Shrinkage %) — Luke’s Picks

Bonsai Pots & Kiln Firings — Los Angeles, CA

Updated: Reading time: 6–8 min
Bonsai pots and kiln firing in Los Angeles — hero image

LA Kilns & Bonsai Pot Basics

This guide helps bonsai pot makers navigate cone temperatures, clay shrinkage, and where to fire in the Los Angeles metro. Use the shrinkage calculator to size your greenware so finished dimensions match your bonsai’s root ball and tie-down needs.

Target Finished Size
0.00 in
Required Green Size
0.00 in
Total Shrinkage
0.0%
Cone (°F / °C)
—

Shrinkage Calculator (Green → Finished)

Measure the intended internal length/width you want after glaze firing.
Typical: 4–7% depending on plasticity/body.
Typical: 5–8% (cone 5/6 stoneware) or 6–12% (cone 10 porcelain).
Cone temps vary with heat-work (rate/soak). Check cone charts for details.
Pro tip: For rectangular bonsai pots, size length & width independently with the same %.

Calculation

ParameterValue
Target Finished Size—
Total Shrinkage (compound)—
Required Green Size—
Selected Cone—
Assumes independent wet and firing shrinkage compounded: green × (1 - wet%) × (1 - firing%) = finished.

Cone Temperatures — Quick Reference

Cone°F (approx)°C (approx)Notes
06~1828~998Common bisque
04~1940~1060Hot bisque / low-fire glaze
5~2167~1186Mid-range glaze
6~2232~1222Mid-range glaze (very common)
10~2345~1285High-fire stoneware/porcelain

Top 10 Kilns & Studios in the LA Metro

Always confirm outside firing policies, turnaround, and cone limits before drop-off. Links go directly to studio sites or specific firing pages.

  1. Still Life Ceramics — DTLA (firing service, incl. cone 10 options)
  2. Echo Ceramics (Mid-City) — cone 6 & cone 10, luster/china paint
  3. CLAY CA (Mid-City) — outside firings: bisque 06–04, glaze cone 5
  4. The Pottery Studio (Cypress Park/Culver City) — cone 10 at studio
  5. Cobalt & Clay (Koreatown) — firing memberships
  6. Good Dirt LA (Mar Vista) — classes/open studio; check firing access
  7. Full-Circle Pottery (Mar Vista) — weekly firings (cone 5/6)
  8. Berman Ceramic Arts (NoHo) — kiln rentals by request; cone 10 clay
  9. Throw Clay LA (DTLA) — members firing; not accepting outside firing
  10. AMOCA Ceramics Studio (Pomona) — electric/gas/atmospheric
Luke’s Picks editorial avatar — Los Angeles ceramics guide
Luke’s Picks Editorial
Last updated • LA bonsai pottery & kiln directory.

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