microwave glass making

[alggomas]

I wonder if someone could give me some advice please?

Considering taking this up as a hobby and rather than spending hundreds on a kiln I was thinking of using a microwave kit to see how I get on.

Sugestions or experiences of your own please.

[CountryLoveCrafts]

We looked in to selling the Microwave kilns. The concept is good. The results can be hit and miss and the test kilns deteriorated quite quickly ..... so we opted not to stock them.

However, depending on the prices nowdays, it might be a good low-cost option for you.

[moonbow]

I brought my micro kiln 5 years ago ++...I have tested everything in it, glass, glazes, clay ++... It is excellent for experimenting and lots of fun...Mine is falling apart and still going strong. Yes it is hit and miss to get results..But I did make a few good glass pendants that even ended up being sold in a gallery. I have a big kiln for my pottery work and now use that, when I fancy dabbling in glass. Good luck with your venture.

[smellies.by.heidi]

This has taught me something new - I never would have imagined that you could make items like this in a microwave !!!
Heres me just uses mine for heating baby milk lol!!
H xx

[alggomas]

Thanks for all replies.
I will go for the Microwave and "essential fibre kiln" to go into it. Do not try and heat glass on its own in a microwave !
I used to potter around many years ago in Trinity College [Now a Uni] in Carmarthen.
My question has been answered.
Thanks again.

[paul platten]

OP

I think the real problem with them is that the heat is not controllable... The results are acceptable but not as good as using a proper kiln

[Carl Martin]

The Hot Pot is great in it's concept but throws all the normal considerations when mwlting glass right out the window. I see time and time again for those wishing to experiment with glass, experiment is the right word for the Hot Pot, it's totally uncontrolable and you cannot regulate the heat. The critical thing with glass is the speed at which it attains its upper temperature and the more carefully controlled aspect of cooling the glass down.

I've heard many mixed results on the durability of microwave fused glass, what has been found is that in some cases (not all ) the glass will crack and break, when using a kiln to fuse glass this will rarely happen because it's been fired to a specific temperature and for a specified time, during which there is an annealing porocess in the firing schedule that gives the glass both strength and durability.

Hope this helps in some way

Regards

Carl