Once the pottery clay has been molded, it is ready to be fired. This is done in a pottery kiln. A pottery kiln is an oven whose temperature is controlled to achieve a desired effect. The final characteristics of the piece of pottery depend on the temperature at which it is fired. Once fired, the clay objects become hard. The heat in the pottery kiln causes the clay particles to become semi-solid and flow into each other, creating a single mass. Once fired and cooled, the ceramic is glazed , painted or adorned in any other manner.

There are different types of kilns used for firing pottery. Some of these are:

The Traditional Kiln : This is no more than a trench dug in the earth, and filled with pots and fuel.

Top-Hat Kiln : In this pottery kiln, the pottery is placed on a hearth, and a cover is lowered over it. The pottery is then fired and allowed to cool.

Bottle Kiln : This is a coal-fired kiln. It is surrounded by a brick cone.

Anagama Kiln This potter's kiln is an ancient kiln of Japan. It is basically a long tunnel that has a firing box at one end and a chimney of sorts at the other.