I got my first kiln (an older Paragon Sentry 2.0) and immediately realized the big question is: okay… now what? In this video I walk through the beginner stuff I wish someone had laid out for me before I started firing—because I spent hours researching, plus a bunch of trips to New Mexico Clay (I love them) asking questions and picking up supplies. I’m still learning, but I’ve fired this kiln about 10–15 times and it’s been 100% reliable so far, so these are the practical tips that helped me feel confident turning it on. I cover the basics like giving your kiln enough space, making sure your electrical setup is correct, and actually reading the manual (even when you think you can wing it). I also talk about the equipment I consider essential, why testing matters, and getting comfortable with the controller buttons so you’re not panicking mid-fire. Then I get into venting, when/how I open the kiln, and even why I like setting up a camera—because kiln reveals are fun, but they’re also a great way to learn from every firing.