How to Flatten Wine Bottles
Imagine that it is either an important anniversary of yours or just a special occasion. You've brought a bottle of wine to enjoy and the night goes pretty well. Rather than throwing the empty wine bottle away, consider saving it as a little memento. If you have access to a kiln, you can "slump" the bottle (flatten it). Once flattened, use the bottle as a cheese tray for future tasting, or just keep it around as a decoration commemorating your special occasion.
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Things You'll Need
- Devitrification spray (for blue or amber bottles)
- Kiln
- Fiber paper or kiln wash
Instructions
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1
Clean the empty wine bottle with soap and water. Allow the bottle to thoroughly dry.
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2
Spray the empty wine bottle with devitrification spray. Devitrification spray prevents the wine bottle from forming crystalline solids. Devitrification is common for blue or amber bottles, but it helps with other colors as well.
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3
Line your kiln with fiber paper or kiln wash. Fiber paper and kiln washes prevent the glass from sticking to the shelf of your kiln. The wash is a liquid; the fiber paper is a specially made paper. Use one or the other to prevent the bottle from sticking in your kiln.
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4
Place the empty wine bottle into the kiln and fire it to 1,100 degrees F. Keep the kiln at 1,100 degrees F for 10 minutes, which will help prevent cracks in your flattened wine bottle.
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5
Continue to fire your kiln at 250 degrees F per hour until it reaches 1,300 degrees F. Once at 1,300 degrees F, fire your kiln as fast as you are able until it reaches 1,475 degrees F; hold the temperature at 1,475 degrees F until the bottle slumps.
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6
Cool the kiln back to 1,100 degrees F as quickly as possible, then anneal the kiln. Annealing the kiln is a process by which you cool the glass at a rate of 150 degrees F per hour or slower.
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7
Cool the kiln to room temperature. Remove the empty wine bottle once cool.
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Tips & Warnings
Insert a piece of twisted copper wiring into the neck of the bottle and form a hook or a loop. This will allow you to hang your flattened bottle on a wall.
This technique requires basic knowledge of kiln-forming techniques. Do not attempt this unless you are comfortable with using a kiln.
