How to Buy an Annealing Oven

An annealing oven is used in glass blowing. It's an oven designed to allow heated glass to cool slowly to prevent the glass from shattering. Glass blowing is an extremely technical field, so the use of annealing ovens is extremely technical. Some glass blowers like certain annealing ovens, while others recommend different ones. To purchase an annealing oven talk to your fellow artists about what they like in annealing ovens.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Attend a glass blowing class. This class will allow you not only to learn about glass blowing, but will allow you to network with other glass blowing professionals. Ask your instructor and your other students what kind of annealing ovens they use and what they recommend.

2. Attend craft fairs. Many glass blowing artists market their wares at craft fairs. Ask them what kind of annealing ovens they use and why they like it.

3. Join online forums for glass blowers such as the many groups on yahoo. Yahoo groups about glass blowers may be specific to your area giving you an added bonus.

4. Seek out the galleries and work studios for glass blowers in your area to discuss with them the type of annealing oven they use.

5. Find out if there is a local glass blowing group in your area. If there is, ask members what kinds of annealing ovens they recommend.

6. Consider purchasing your annealing oven online. While you will pay a great deal in shipping for an annealing oven, you will be better able to choose the kind of annealing oven you want and the price you will pay for it. See GaryMolitor.com for more information.