#62 Microwave Kilns for Fused Glass

[@3PairDesigns]

Susan, I really enjoy your videos. I started with a microwave kiln just to see what I could do. I actually enjoyed it and then a year later I graduated to a small Paragon "table-top" kiln that I use today (lack of space, otherwise I'd have a bigger kiln! LOL!) for my jewelry and small projects. The microwave kiln is a good tool to learn with when it comes to combining colors, textures, dicro, irid, I even frit casted a tiny mold in mine! It is good for learning some of the important steps to putting pieces together harmoniously. Once you get that down, then learning how to use a traditional kiln as a powerful tool might be the next step for someone whose interest grows with the results they get from the microwave kiln. I enjoyed my microwave kiln and highly recommend it for anyone not sure if they want to make an investment right up front. Thanks for another fun video!

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

3PairDesigns thanks. I think your experience is what happens to most people. Start with a microwave kiln & graduate to a small kiln. Sounds like you could teach me a thing or 2 with my microwave kiln. 😁

[@MarianneChueco]

Quisiera saber dónde se compra el horno para el microondas, gracias

[@georgiabrand6672]

Watched a few and still had questions but Susan makes this so easy to understand and covers everything.. thank you .

[@CaptMike]

You Go Girl! Another great video. I think you covered it all and a lot of stuff I didn"t.

[@theresehaworth8249]

Thank you for sharing!!! I have a standard ceramic kiln and have wanted to get i to glass slumping, sagging and jewelry making for FOREVER! Thank you for the INSPIRATION!!!!

[@chanacohen1231]

Your videos are excellent. I have watched more than 15 of them. Great job. Thanks

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Thank you so much!

[@thomasnielsen1370]

Thanks for a great video. No time wasting moments, just “action” all the way.

[@JL-gq6sx]

precisely my thoughts as i just found susan's video, at the end i was saying to myself, that was an excellent eight minutes of my life thank you susan ha

[@dianaerickson4485]

Thank you so much! I’m so grateful for my micro kilns. You answered so many questions that have been banging around in my head. I’m grateful for your awesome videos and all the time and challenges you go through to inspire us and help us along this path we’ve taken. I recently bought a nice set (4) of rakes with handles at Harbor Freight for around $5. I would love to share a pic of them in their packaging with you if you could tell me the best way to do that. 😊

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Thanks for the ideas and inspiration. I got a small microwave kiln a few months ago and I have really enjoyed using it to recycle bottle glass into jewelry.

[@mehboobakhter9213]

Great

[@escapegoat3673]

Great video! I was on the fence about ordering a microwave kiln to add lustre to my high fire ceramic pieces and for Raku, but now I want the kiln to add glass to my ceramics!

[@learningthings6298]

I like you experimental approach. You are a real scientist. Thank you

[@debross5622]

I am hoping to get a microwave kiln soon, so very informative. Thanks Susan!

[@thebeachfishing]

I have a great DIY solution, take a look when you have some time 😊

[@georginacalder6798]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you!

[@cheliae8560]

Thank you! Clear commentary.

[@laylatorres2107]

Great class. Clear presentation. Kudos.

[@ellenmurphy2150]

I have one recommendation. Please don't use your microwave for food if you use your microwave to kiln glass. As always Susan a ton of information. And a demonstration as well. Nice piece. Hope you are well 🍯 🐰

[@cheyennecassidy4329]

I just received a small microwave kiln a a gift and an anxious to use it for fusing but I'm curious as to the reasoning behind using a separate microwave from one used for food. I'm assuming some sort of contamination but I'm really not sure.

[@markgreen5161]

Thank's for sharing ! Nice idea with the microwave 👍

[@chrisshirer3573]

Thank you so much for taking the time to create your videos and share your experiences. I just bought a microwave kiln and this video in particular answered so many questions and provided me with multiple ideas and inspiration. I'm off to see if you have a video about fire polishing (I think that's what you called it). Thank you!

[@takeurpowerback2995]

Amazing arywork, and fantastic video. Very informational. Thank you!! ♡

[@aloryaart-o.kenanyildirim7843]

super! thanks a lot for sharing this valuable know how

[@Pegt70]

After firing & out of the oven, be sure & leave the top on so it cools slowly. Otherwise the glass could crack.

[@elenademonterova1557]

Thank you so much!!! It is really cool!

[@BarbNEbert]

What an awesome idea video!

[@joefinn9565]

Hi Susan , I an issue making dichroic cabochons in my microwave kiln . The problem is a residue of dichroic vapour forms around top surface . I have capped with clear plus I have faced the dichroic side down and it still happens . I’ve cut the dichroic piece smaller than the base which helps , however it shows up with a black border around it . I also have cut the top piece larger which appears also to work , however when it fuses it show outside the black base , so it requires cold working plus fire polish . Any suggestions would be appreciated. Many thanks .

[@vickis6714]

Hi, I love your videos and seeing your amazing pieces! Could you possibly make a video about the different kinds of glass we can melt, beer bottles, old glass vases and whether or not you can color clear glass before you melt it. Thank you, Vicki

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Vicki Snell recycled glass really isn’t something I work with so I wouldn’t be much help. But a great resource is Jodi of Glass With A Past. That’s her specialty.

[@vickis6714]

I will look her up, thank you so much for responding!! Happy Easter!!

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi Vicki - I don't know if this will help but I have made a few videos about making jewelry in my microwave kiln and all I have used is recycled glass. I did use alcohol ink to color a piece of clear glass after it was fused. I am still kind of a beginner but I have really enjoyed using my kiln.

[@vickis6714]

Hi, I did find your videos, I believe I just subscribed to you the other day. Ya I'm wondering about making stuff with old glass, the thrift shops are filled with old vases and wanted to know if , since there all clear, if they can be colored...cheaper than buying dichroic lol. I love the idea of melting glass and wonder how far it extends, all different kinds of glass!! I will continue to follow you and see what you come up with. Thanks for replying!!

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Vicki Snell thanks for subscribing

[@eileenleone6644]

Love your video. I have 2 questions 1) I tried to fire polish a piece and it cracked in half. I heated in until it was fire red. I read somewhere to let it cool for 30 and I let it cool for an hr. Was that my mistake. Exposing it to air to soon? If u know a project takes 20 min. Should u still do it in 5 min increments?

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

When glass is above about 1200 F it starts to become movable. It’s pretty safe to open the kiln. When it is coming down in temperature it’s not safe to open the kiln between 100-1000F. So allow the jewelry to cool to room temp before opening the kiln. Otherwise it causes stress because the outside of the glass is cooling faster that the inside of the glass.

[@charlesr.wilkes9339]

If you would dip your rake into bees wax before use each time, it would not stick to the molten glass.

[@sallyjoligocki5011]

Thank you for sharing !

[@johnlewis5663]

Great video nice and clear and concise, if you put kiln on center of microwave turntable I doubt if there would be any lateral movement

[@firestarter2793]

Morning from uk Susan. Firstly thank you so much for sharing. May I ask as a novice to glass, could your pieces be used in stained glass projects please? I send you much ❤️ and light. May 2022 bring you double love, joy, prosperity and friendship. Anyone who reads this … may you be blessed in double portions for 2022. Regards my friend.

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Of course. That would be lovey.

[@wendygerrish4964]

Very helpful thank you.

[@ginnykeim5522]

Is it possible to add metal in with the glass in the microwave? I'd love to see how copper reacts but quite frankly am a bit afraid (explosion, fire etc). Wondering what I can and cannot add. Thanks.

[@petersonmeh]

I'm trying it now with a copper foil punch in between two pieces of 90 COE glass. No explosion or sparks of any kind. I'll check the finished in 40 minutes.

[@ginnykeim5522]

@@petersonmeh Thanks. I did try the copper and no explosions or fires. Glad you had the same results. The wire was fused inside the glass but no longer looked like copper. I'd say it was only moderately successful as far as a way to create but worth the try.

[@susanmcallister8068]

This was awesome, thanks! I ordered my little microwave kiln but haven’t gotten it yet. Thought I’d start off small. The last piece you fired, with a rake, really intrigued me. Especially when you broke it into pieces. Did you say you refuted it to make the pieces shiny? Thank you!

[@VitroFractal-mc]

Pueden usar “vermiculite board” como tablilla y para hacer moldes pequeños.

[@ina5041]

Very good

[@suezan124]

WOW! Didnt know this was possible! Do we need to worry about fumes effecting our pets?

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Great question. I’ve never heard of that being a problem but it’s probably best to have a window open or do this in a garage. You never want to use your kitchen microwave that you use for food!

[@tandeeroy3501]

Does this mean that If I use the regular kitchen microwave I can no longer use it for reheating our food?

[@Dulcilady]

Very interesting video, thanks for sharing. I have a couple of questions. How do you fire polish in the microwave (hotter/cooler - timing)? When you cut up a piece as you did with the raked piece, do you need special tools or just your scoring tool? Thanks for any help.

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Judi Morningstar for any fusing in a microwave kiln you need to do a lot of testing first to get to know your kiln and your microwave. Then you can fuse & fire polish successfully. Look for microwave groups on Facebook. That will offer lots of information & support. For the strips I just used my glass cutter to cut the strips. Nothing special. But to cut the finished piece I used my wet tile saw. I get very straight pieces ready for fire polish without any grinding. 😁

[@yvonneroberts9268]

Wow a lot to learn

[@1194pa]

Good work

[@simonelindsay1370]

Fantastic info!

[@loryvanlieshout4884]

I have a lot of scrap glass from doing stained glass projects. Can I use this glass in the kiln too? I have no idea what the COE is on any of it.

[@renewalof48]

Hello, Thank you for sharing. I did not know you could do that.

[@jbrondos]

Whie I fire on thicker, fibrous shelf paper, it leaves a rough white "powdery" surface on the bottom which is not smooth or shiny. What can I do about that?

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

jbrondos that’s a tough one. We all want the bottom of our glass to be shiny. You can use fire paper like the Papyrus brand or the Bullseye Glass brand only or on top of your thicker shelf paper to make it smoother. Or you can cold work the back of your piece on something like a flat lap or wet belt sander. That’s a lot of work. Most people just accept the non shiny back.

[@christiesimmons9921]

are you supposed to use the kiln for 20 minutes? the instruction manuel I have says only 2-3 minutes

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

My microwave was so weak it took quite a long time to fuse. I have since gotten a more powerful microwave.

[@kenya2119]

i just bought one kiln,!im gonna try it

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Kenya be careful. 😁

[@sunshinem3958]

Iam sorry but i have been told those little kiln blocks are not to be used in the microwave only in the kiln. As far as to lay glass on top of them

[@cameronpratley4034]

Hi Susan, I am trying to replicate the glass lens of a fog light for my car. I dropped one and can't get buy a replacement because they don't make them anymore. I managed to free the other glass lens and thought of making a mould and then I am not sure how to do the rest... any help would be great, thanks.

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Cameron Pratley that sounds like a difficult challenge. I would recommend checking out the tutorials on GlassCampus.com

[@jacquesomersavard7257]

I made stain glass and we paint whit tradional 'grsaille ' a kind of broken glas and vinegar we have to put it in a klin at 1300'F for 20 min for couking it do you thing ir is possible ro do so in a mecrowave klin

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Possible but it would take a lot of testing first.

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Possible but it would take a lot of testing first.

[@KP-nx8lo]

Marble countertop installation places sometimes will sell you scrap pieces for really cheap if you ask them! When you wash the kiln do you do it in the sink and just let the water a stuff go down the drain or do you do it in a bowl and throw the wastewater away?

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

K P I’m not sure what you mean “wash the kiln”. If you mean applying kiln wash to the kiln or washing the kiln wash or fiber paper off the glass then I try to never wash that down the drain. I try to use a bowl or bucket of water then dispose of the water in a trash can (that’s usually full of old paper towels. Or wait for most of the water to evaporate and clean the bowl with a paper towel. If you mean wash the kiln I say don’t!!!

[@k192447]

muito interessante sua técnica.

[@Marginal391]

I need to melt a little glass in order to pour it on a bottle's bottom to flatten it. The bottom has to become from convex to flat. Any suggestions? Thank you :-).

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

So many reasons why this won’t work. If glass is hot enough to pour it would be at least 1600*F. Adding that to room temperature glass would shock it and it would shatter. The bottle and the melted glass that you want to “pour” need to be similar temperatures in order for them to bond. So if the bottle is the same temperature as the liquid glass the bottle will also be liquid. So that’s just not going to work! You need to find another solution.

[@soorijohnston6953]

Do you have to use special glass or or can you use stained glass

[@himeneslinda8073]

I thought firing glass was out of my reach since I don't own a kiln so I've never done any research. Can regular stained glass be used in the microwave kiln? I have tons that I would love to use. Thank you!

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Auntie Princess Videos fusible glass is definitely different than stained glass. Fused glass is made compatible so that it melts at the same temperature & cools at the same temperature. This is very important because stress in the glass can cause it to crack either right away or sometimes months later. Also fusible glass fires up shiny and non-fused glass usually doesn’t. BUT with all that said many people use recycled glass including stained glass for fusing. For the best information on this look up Jodi - Glass With A Past.

[@himeneslinda8073]

@@SusanMcGarryGlass Thanks so much for your quick response. I have a feeling I'm about to start a new (expensive) hobby.. 😊

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

I think you’re right! 😳😁

[@Zaacharia]

When I started fusing, I used glass I bought at my local stained glass shop. I made sure to only use glass from the same manufacturer. I bought my microwave kilns from China - with shipping it cost $125 for 3 kilns. I use multiple kilns because most of the time is used to heat the kiln so when one project was completed, swapped out the lid to my next project and covered the 1st project with one of the cold lids. I can get 5 or 6 projects done in an evening.

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Grumpy Old Man I’d say you’re very lucky your projects didn’t have any problems. Even stained glass from the same manufacturer can be different COE because when they are manufacturing stained glass they’re only concern is with design not COE so it might be similar coe (not always) but not the same. This can cause stress in the glass and it can break later or even explode if the stress is great enough. I’ve seen it! You can always use polarized filters to check for stress. 👍

[@karenadams3352]

Thanks! Interesting!

[@cuneydalperenmakas1152]

This video is very useful thanks. I have a few question about microwave. What are the properties of the microwave you use. How much power and maximum heat must be ? Is that a standard microwave or It is special ?

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Cüneyd Alperen Makas It’s just a regular old microwave that you buy for you kitchen but this is the lowest watt. So if you want to use a microwave kiln I recommend getting the highest watt at the lowest price you can find.

[@Marginal391]

Thank you :-).

[@hessamgh7320]

But how did you connect those metals to your glass peaces of jewelry

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

I usually use e-6000 glue

[@kyc117]

how would one make a hole in the glass for hanging? Thank you

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

I would probably drill a hole. Very carefully!

[@mogroable]

Do you know if you can stain glass in a kiln?

[@tyler345100]

can i use a convection oven instead of a microwave?

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

No I don’t think so. They are very different. A microwave uses microwaves to cook and those waves are what makes this little kiln work. A convection oven uses heat and a blower. No microwaves. Good thinking though.

[@fusedglassbyceline9107]

Hope you are doing well my friend🌻

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Celine Talamantes thank you! Busy as usual. I need to finish editing so I can upload more videos.

[@sakthornton5626]

Do you have a regular kiln? And how big do you have? What make?

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

SaK Thornton I have several regular Kilns in various sizes. All of them are 120v. They are made by Paragon and Olympic

[@sakthornton5626]

@@SusanMcGarryGlass Which brand do you like best? Or are they the same?

[@88kallula]

I will like to know how you put the hole please

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

If you mean the one with the fiber, I used thick kiln paper fused between 2 layers of glass.

[@harrietthoppe7501]

What size is your Kiln please.

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

I believe that’s a large microwave kiln

[@TheSoundsage]

@Susan McGarry Glass: If I put some colored ground glass on a little disc of copper, or silver and fire it, will the glass fuse to the metal or will it just fall off when cool? Thanks!

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Great question. Most likely it will fall off because metal & glass heat & cool at different temperatures. So when the glass is molten it sticks to other glass but the metal is still a solid. It’s possible the glass could stick but because they cool at different rates it is likely the glass would crack & fall off. When it does work it’s usually because there is far more glass than metal.

[@TheSoundsage]

Dear Susan, Thank-you very much. But wouldn't that be true of enamel fired on metal as well (and isn't enamel basically ground glass?)

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

I’m not totally familiar with enameling but I believe it’s done with a powdered glass & I believe it has a flux in it or on the metal (maybe). Both things would make it easier for the glass to stick to the metal.

[@jennielyra3694]

❤❤❤

[@rnruou432]

Can I use 700w microwave?

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

Yes, but stronger is better

[@deniswright5598]

why only dedicated microwave, Never seen this anywhere else

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

The fiber paper used in glass fusing should not be ingested. There is no way to be sure it’s all out before adding food.

[@MrDenis1954]

@@SusanMcGarryGlass .Now I understand. It's so there's no contamination, but it's not a special microwave for glass. Thanks

[@HannesLedl]

does anybody know where i can get this 'ofen'. / txs in advance

[@MrAlohajeff]

You need to put oil in your glass cutter.

[@giuseppesautto2311]

Hi everyone, you have to recommend me some site where to buy glass to melt, Thank you very much

[@SusanMcGarryGlass]

giuseppe sautto BullseyeGlass .com, DichroicInc .com, DelphiGlass .com....

[@debmcgowan2556]

Ed Hoy international sells glass to all. Also, I use dental tools to rake with.

[@learningthings6298]

Like it

[@user-cy9kh7ir5o]

😁

[@sandraumpierre2413]

Beutiful

[@hidden7195]

Stop with all the honey bunny stuff, we are not all 5 years old.