How to Slump Bottles

Slumping wine, beer and other bottles has become a popular way to turn trash into interesting trays. It's easy to do in a glass fusing kiln.

Things You'll Need

• Glass fusing kiln
• Devit spray
• Kiln wash or fiber paper
• Ammonia

Instructions

1. Prepare the bottle for slumping. Remove any labels and clean the bottle with ammonia. Dry completely. If you are slumping a blue or amber bottle, it is a good idea to spray it with a devit spray to prevent devitrification.

2. Place the bottle in your kiln on a shelf that is prepared with kiln wash or covered with fiber paper.

3. Add a copper wire or a high-temperature wire intended for glass fusing to hang the bottle from, if you wish. Bend the wire and insert it into the neck of the bottle after placing it in the kiln, but before firing. Be aware that copper wire will oxidize in the kiln.

4. Fire the kiln using the following schedule as a guide (ramp, ºF/Hr, target temperature, hold for):
   1 500 1100 10
   2 250 1300 0
   3 AFAP 1475 10 (watch for slump)
   4 AFAP 960 30
   5 150 750 0

5. Allow the slumped bottle to return to room temperature. Decorate your slumped bottle as you wish.

Tips & Warnings

• Never leave a kiln unattended when firing.

References

• Glass Fusing Made Easy: Slumping Bottles