Glass firing tips

Glass firing is a fun way to make unique glass projects in your kiln. While most kilns have the required settings, a glass kiln is the best way to work with this material.

Introduction

Glass work is normally done in an electric kiln at temperatures lower than ceramic firing. Usually a temperature around 1300 - 1500 degrees Fahrenheit is used to get the correct shape. Because you will need to carefully control the temperature, it is recommended to work with an electronic controller rather than a manual sitter.

Glass kilns will normally include a heating element in the lid to better diffuse heat than in a ceramic kiln. This is important to ensure a unified heat distribution during glass fusing so that all pieces fuse properly.

Firing

When firing, keep in mind that due to the nature of glass it conducts heat much less efficiently and can thus be up to 50 degrees cooler than the kiln. This effect will show up more in small kilns which eat up very quickly, and it is very important to be nearby while firing glass to keep an eye on the material.

Additional resources on glass firing

• All you need to know about kilncasting
• Overview of glass fusing and slumping techniques
• How to fuse glass at home
• How to make Pate de Verre