emma96•10d ago

Showerthought: I used to blow glass in a garage with a homemade glory hole

Back in 2005, my setup was a propane burner and a steel drum lined with firebrick, which took forever to heat. I switched to a proper electric glory hole about five years ago after a workshop in Asheville showed me the difference. Now my heat is consistent, I waste less fuel, and my pieces don't crack from uneven temps. Anyone else make a big change to their main heat source and notice a huge difference in their work?

3 comments

3 Comments

carr.abby10d ago

I read an article about glassblowers switching to electric furnaces for environmental reasons. The piece argued that beyond the green benefits, the precise temperature control just makes better art. It seems like your experience proves that point.

wood.uma9d ago

Saw a guy try to switch his kiln over and the whole thing cracked. Sometimes the old way just works.

lucasw849d ago

Depends on the kiln. New gear needs new skills. That guy probably rushed the switch or missed a step. Electric can be better if you know what you're doing. But yeah, sometimes you just stick with what works.