I already have a small circular kiln with a 12″ diameter shelf. I am looking to purchase a larger kiln to do larger projects. I debating between just a larger top loading kiln with a larger shelf or getting the refrigerator style with a 22 ” shelf. Insight into the advantages or disadvantages of each would be so helpful. I would like to experiment with hot combing which is why I looked into the refrigerator style.I already have a 220 line in my garage.
Clamshells are easier to load than top loading, and if you want to do glass manipulation (combing, for instance), they are a bit safer because you are not reaching down into the kiln.
(FWIW, I have 4 kilns and none are clamshells. But if I had it to do over, my “medium” kiln would be a clamshell)
What Dana said. For general purpose fusing you cannot beat a clamshell. The only thing that are not good for us dimensional casting. Invest in mercury relays.