Monitoring Power Usage

[High_Water]

Does anybody have any experience or recommendations for monitoring power usage of a homemade kiln?

[K-Guy]

If everything is 120 volt, use one or two Kill A Watt monitors

[High_Water]

Is it really that simple, I'll be running a dehumidifier, fans, and a heater (probably heat lamps since I already have some) occasionally. Do I need to worry about amperage or is that taken care of by running multiple circuits? I suppose its better if the plugs are outside of the kiln, which in my case is an option, but it would be much easier if they were inside, I don't want temperature to be an issue. Something like this Robot Check

[K-Guy]

You would need one for each circuit and they would be outside the kiln.

[Larry]

In the past I've used a watthour meter.  These are the meters the power company uses on the side of your house.  They can be found on ebay $30 or so.  The good thing about them is they are simple and last for years.  Lots of amp models to choose from.

If a business, you can use one to document power usage expense for the IRS.

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

Because a DH kiln is a constant power draw, some power companies will give you a special rate, which also means that they furnish the meter.

[High_Water]

I think my setup is too small scale to bother making a deal with the power co., in 2 years I've only had enough to run one cycle. I'm just messing around with an old shipping container at my uncle's place, so I want to monitor the draw out of curiosity on one hand, and to pay him back if it ends up a serious draw on the other.