The glass blowing furnace is one of the most essential tools you’ll need when it comes to molding, shaping, and hardening molten glass. Most artists work with three different types: the furnace, the glory hole, and the annealer. Traditional artists use one furnace that performs all of these purposes in one. Regardless of whether you’re pursuing glass blowing as a hobby, you mold glass for artistic purposes, or you’re pursuing a profession of scientific glass blowing, the furnaces are an essential part of your process.
How does the glass blowing furnace work in the glass blowing process? Glass blowing begins in the furnace, which is used to melt glass into a molten mass. It is perfect whether you choose to work with powdered glass, a mixture of different sands, or with glass nuggets. During this process is also when you can add various colors to your glass. Once the glass reaches the right temperature, artists gather a portion of it onto a glass blowing rod and begin spinning it. With the use of a blowpipe, they puff a bubble of air in the center of the blob, which is useful for creating a variety of different shapes and textures.
The glory hole is a glass blowing furnace that is used to keep the glass hot during the shaping process. The artist will visit this furnace again and again while plucking, tugging, and molding the glass into its desired shape. This prevents the glass from hardening or shattering during the shaping process. This is also where the glass goes when the artist takes a break or works on a project that can’t be completed in one sitting.
The annealer is a glass blowing furnace that is used during the last step of the glass blowing process. As you can imagine, having temperature drop rapidly can result in hot glass cracking or even shattering. The annealer allows the glass to cool very slowly, thus preventing any damage from occurring. The length of time it takes to safely bring shaped glass to room temperature varies on the shape and size of the texture. Small projects, such as test tubes or paperweights, may take as little as a few hours, while larger projects, such as vases or light fixtures, may take as much as several days to cool down safely. It’s important to know exactly what you’re doing when it comes to dealing with this glass blowing furnace, however, as the slightest mistake can result in an unsightly crack. Learn more about different brands of glass blowing furnace today!
