My uncle told me to always keep my blowpipe in the kiln for at least 20 minutes before starting a piece. I thought he was just being extra careful.

4 comments

4 Comments

owens.jenny21d agoMost Upvoted

My friend learned that lesson the hard way last year. She was in a hurry and skipped the warm up. The glass cracked right down the middle of her first gather, a total waste. Turns out the sudden heat shock is a real thing. Her instructor said it's one of the most common beginner mistakes. She never rushes the kiln step anymore.

henryt1820d agoTop Commenter

Yeah, the "sudden heat shock" part is exactly right. I read an article about glassblowing that said even a few hundred degrees too fast can cause stress fractures you can't even see right away. Your friend's story @owens.jenny lines up with that. They said the glass needs time to expand evenly, or it just gives up.

ruby_wright20d ago

That "gives up" line is perfect, I always tell newbies the kiln is your most patient teacher.

olivert7818d ago

Totally saw that happen in a class once. Guy was so eager to start he just shoved his pipe in. The whole end of his gather just popped off like an eggshell. Really drives home how you can't cheat the warm up.