Bachmeier Pottery
Ceramic Kiln & Equipment Repair Service
Serving the tri-state area w/in a 3-hour radius of Fargo-Moorhead with 30+ years of trusted expertise.
OUR SERVICES
Kiln Maintenance
& Safety Inspections
Why Inspections Matter
An annual kiln maintenance and safety inspection is more than a routine check, it is a proactive measure that protects your equipment, your facility, and the people who use it. Regular inspections ensure your kiln operates safely and efficiently while preventing small issues from becoming major hazards.
Kiln Maintenance, Service and Safety check - Services Included pdf. link.
Safety First
Kilns run at extremely high temperatures and draw significant electrical current, which makes proper maintenance essential. Inspections help identify problems such as faulty wiring, worn thermocouples, failing relays or elements, and structural weaknesses. Ventilation issues are especially common and can create unsafe conditions for students and teachers while also causing corrosion to the kiln, building infrastructure, and fire‑prevention systems.
Preventive Maintenance
Annual or bi‑annual inspections allow minor concerns to be addressed before they escalate into costly repairs or full equipment failure. Preventive care extends the lifespan of your kiln and reduces downtime for classrooms and studios.
Optimal Performance
A well‑maintained kiln fires more consistently, uses energy more efficiently, and produces more reliable results. Inspections help fine‑tune performance, correct inefficiencies, and ensure your kiln is operating at its best.
*Servicing only electric kilns at this time.
Kiln & Equipment
Repair & Upgrades
Common kiln repairs include installing relays, thermocouples, computer replacement, elements, lid tensioners, brick repair, and ventilation fan issues. Whether your slab roller needs adjustment or a new cable, your potter’s wheel won’t run, or the pedal won’t stop, we can also help diagnose equipment issues, order the correct parts, and complete the repair. We service most equipment commonly found in ceramic studios and classrooms, and when a repair isn’t the best option, we provide honest recommendations for next steps.
We also offer kiln controller upgrades. If you’re ready to move from a cone sitter to a digital controller, or upgrade an older digital panel to a modern Wi‑Fi–enabled system, we can guide you through the options and handle the installation.
Service Calls, Consulting & P.D.
The core of our business is responsive, knowledgeable customer service. Many issues can be solved with a quick phone call, often at no charge, by helping diagnose problems or advising on safe, efficient studio practices. With experience as a K–12 art teacher, Art Education professor, and ceramic artist for more than 30 years, Brad understands the full ecosystem of ceramic studios: equipment, school systems, ordering processes, vendors, replacement parts, and the day‑to‑day realities teachers and students face.
If you need guidance selecting the right kiln or ceramic equipment for your facility, or support setting up and installing a new kiln correctly, we’re here to help.
Need Professional Development on Kiln firing and safety for your teachers? General clay and glaze techniques and information for an improved clay curriculum? Alternative firing such as pit, saggar, or horse-hair? Brad has delivered dozens of workshops and can tailor one for your district's needs.
Most urgent on‑site service calls can be scheduled within 24–72 hours, ensuring your classroom or studio is back up and running quickly and safely.
THE STORY
Supporting teachers,schools, and ceramic artists....
ith more than thirty years as a ceramic artist, producing hundreds of works annually in gas, electric, and primitive kilns (bachmeierpottery.com), I gained experience in maintaining and troubleshooting ceramic equipment. My years as a public‑school art teacher and later as a professor of Art Education at MSUM expanded that expertise as I worked closely with multiple kiln companies, technicians, and electricians.
The repair business grew naturally and almost accidentally. As hundreds of my former Art Education students began teaching across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, I often received calls from them and from school administrators, seeking help with kiln and equipment issues. West Fargo Public Schools was the first district to ask if they could formally contract with me for regular service. That partnership led to ongoing work with Moorhead, Fargo, West Fargo, and many rural districts, as well as numerous individual home studios.
I enjoy this work and the relationships it helps maintain. Supporting teachers, potters, and school programs while ensuring that kilns, equipment, and studio environments remain safe, efficient, and productive has become a meaningful extension of my career in ceramics and education.
