Frederic Melton
Wine and beer bottles can be recycled into cheese trays through a process called glass slumping. This involves placing a cleaned and label-free bottle into a kiln, where it melts and reforms into a tray shape. The bottle can be decorated with wire, beads, etching, or paint to create a unique and personalised design. These recycled cheese trays are a fun and unexpected way to serve cheese and make great gifts or conversation pieces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Required items | Glass bottle, Kiln, Kiln wash, Borax (optional), Wire (optional) |
| Bottle type | Wine, alcohol, beer, water |
| Bottle size | Preferably a wine or alcohol bottle that will fit in the kiln |
| Bottle preparation | Remove the label, clean the bottle, allow to dry |
| Kiln preparation | Cover the floor and/or shelf with kiln wash, ensure air circulation around the bottle |
| Kiln temperature | 1100-1475°F |
| Cooling | Allow the glass to cool to room temperature before removing from the kiln |
| Decoration | Paint a design with a resist, etch with acid or sandblast, decorate with wire and beads |
| Purpose | Useful glassware, gifts, conversation pieces |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the bottle
To prepare a glass bottle to be melted into a cheese tray, you will need a kiln, kiln wash, and a glass bottle. The bottle should be a wine or alcohol bottle that will fit in your kiln. You can either buy some alcohol and drink it (if you are of legal drinking age), or ask friends or at a bar or restaurant for empties.
Once you have your bottle, clean it thoroughly inside and out. Take care to remove all glue from the label, as this can be difficult to get off. You can use a combination of goo remover and nail polish remover to do this. Allow the bottle to dry inside. It is important to handle the bottle as little as possible after it is cleaned, as fingerprints can leave oil residue that will come out as unattractive spots after firing.
If you would like your tray to hang, cut a piece of 20-gauge wire a few inches long and bend it to fit inside the bottle top. The bottle will slump around the wire and hold it firm. You can also decorate the neck area of the bottle with wire and beads using jewellery-making tools.
Before placing the bottle in the kiln, make sure the floor and/or shelf of the kiln are covered with a dry coating of kiln wash. If you are using a manual kiln, you may need to follow specific steps to slump the bottle.
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Prepare the kiln
To prepare the kiln, start by ensuring you have the right size kiln for your bottle. The bottle should fit inside with room for air circulation. Next, check that the floor and/or shelf of the kiln are covered with a dry coating of kiln wash; this will help protect your kiln. If kiln wash is not available, you can use fiber paper as an alternative.
Before placing the bottle inside the kiln, ensure it has been thoroughly cleaned and dried. Remove any labels and glue residue with a goo remover or nail polish remover, taking care to handle the bottle as little as possible after cleaning to avoid fingerprints, which can leave oil spots after firing. Allow the bottle to dry completely inside and out.
If you are using a manual kiln, you will need to follow specific instructions for slumping bottles. For example, if you have an older Jen-Ken AF3P kiln, you may need to manually set the temperature to 1100-1200 degrees Fahrenheit, as some older models may not have a pre-programmed slump setting. Newer Orton controllers typically come pre-programmed with a slump program.
Once your kiln and bottle are prepared, carefully place the bottle into the kiln, ensuring there is adequate airflow around it. The exposed surface will be smoother, so if you want a textured effect, ensure this side is facing down. You can also experiment with adding wire to create a decorative effect or a hanging loop for your tray.
Finally, run your kiln program or manually set the temperature and timing. Keep good records of your settings and the results so that you can refine your technique over time. Remember that the bottle will take a long time to cool, so avoid rushing the cooling cycle to prevent cracking.
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Melting the bottle
Melting a glass bottle into a cheese tray requires a kiln. If you don't have access to a kiln, you can ask around at bars or restaurants for empty bottles and ask your friends for any spare bottles they may have lying around. You can also purchase a kiln, which will be the main cost of this project.
Once you've acquired a kiln and a glass bottle, you'll need to clean the bottle thoroughly, inside and out. Make sure to remove any glue or residue from the label, as this can leave unattractive spots after firing. Allow the bottle to dry completely.
Next, place the bottle into the kiln, ensuring there is air circulation around it. The exposed surface will be smoother, so if you want a textured surface, place the bottle in the kiln accordingly. Cover the floor and/or shelf of your kiln with a dry coating of kiln wash.
Now, it's time to turn on your kiln. Depending on your kiln, you may need to program it. For manual kilns, follow the steps provided by glass-fusing websites. For automatic kilns, enter the following settings:
- Ramp °F/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
The bottle should now have slumped down into a tray shape. Allow the glass to cool to room temperature before removing it from the kiln. The cooling process will take a long time, so be patient and don't rush it, as this can cause cracking. Once it's cool, remove the bottle from the kiln, wash it, and your recycled cheese tray is ready to use!
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Cooling the tray
Allow the Glass to Cool Gradually:
Remove your bottle from the kiln and place it in a safe, undisturbed area. The cooling process will take a long time, so it's important to be patient. Resist any temptation to rush this step, as sudden temperature changes can cause the glass to crack or shatter.
Ensure Proper Air Circulation:
Make sure the bottle is placed in an area with good airflow. This will help the glass cool evenly on all sides. Avoid placing it in a confined space or covering it, as this can trap heat and affect the cooling process.
Monitor the Cooling Process:
Keep a close eye on the bottle as it cools. Observe any changes in its appearance, such as the glass becoming less pliable and more rigid. This visual monitoring will help you understand the transformation that occurs during the cooling phase.
Touch Test:
After a significant amount of time has passed, usually several hours, gently touch the surface of the glass to assess its temperature. If it feels only slightly warm or close to room temperature, it's a good indication that it's nearing the end of the cooling process.
Final Stages of Cooling:
As the glass approaches room temperature, you may notice a slight decrease in the rate of cooling. This is normal, and it's important to let the glass cool completely at its own pace. Avoid handling the tray extensively until it has reached this stage to prevent any accidental burns.
Handling and Finishing Touches:
Once the glass has cooled to room temperature, you can carefully pick up your newly formed cheese tray. Wash the tray with mild soap and warm water to remove any kiln residue or fingerprints. If desired, decorate the tray further by etching a design with acid or sandblasting, or adding wire decorations to the neck of the bottle.
Remember, the cooling process is a critical aspect of transforming bottles into cheese trays. By following these steps and allowing the glass to cool gradually, you will end up with a safe, sturdy, and unique cheese tray.
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Decorating the tray
To decorate your recycled bottle cheese tray, you can try a few different methods. Firstly, you can create a decorative pattern on the slumped glass by painting a design with a resist. You can then etch the glass with acid or a sandblaster to create a permanent design. After etching, simply wash the tray and remove the resist.
Another option is to decorate the neck of the bottle with wire and beads, using jewellery-making tools. You can also add a wire hanger to your tray by cutting a piece of 20-gauge wire and bending it to fit inside the bottle top before melting. This will allow your tray to hang.
If you want to add a personal touch to your tray, you can tie a cheese knife to the neck with a ribbon. This will make a lovely gift, and you can also add four small rubber feet to protect the surface it is placed on.
Remember to always clean your bottle thoroughly and remove any labels before decorating. You can use a goo remover or nail polish remover to get rid of any stubborn glue residue.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a glass bottle, preferably a wine or alcohol bottle, a kiln, kiln wash, borax (optional), and wire (optional).
First, clean the bottle thoroughly, removing any labels and glue. Allow the bottle to dry, then place it in the kiln, ensuring there is air circulation around it. Set the kiln to around 1100-1200°F and wait for the bottle to melt into a tray shape. Once cooled, remove the bottle from the kiln, wash it, and it's ready to use.
To decorate your tray, you can paint a design on the slumped bottle with a resist and etch the glass with acid or a sandblaster. You can also add wire and beads to the neck of the bottle for a decorative touch.
You will need a kiln that can reach temperatures of at least 1100-1200°F. Depending on your kiln, you may need to program it manually or follow a specific slumping program. Ensure the floor and/or shelf of the kiln are coated with kiln wash.
Melting bottles into cheese trays is a unique way to upcycle glass bottles and create a one-of-a-kind serving piece. These trays make great gifts and conversation starters at gatherings. They can also be personalized with specific bottle choices or decorations.
