How do I make platters/plates out of melted wine bottles?

Question

A girl I met the other day told me I could put my old pretty wine bottles in the oven (she didn't know at what temperature or for how long though, so I had to get online to ask y'all!) and melt them down into little flat platters that people often use for serving cheese and other items. How do I make platters or plates by melting down old wine bottles? Is this something I can do in my regular oven at home? Any and all help/info will be greatly appreciated! I love doing crafts and really want to do this one! I really want to make some, just don't know how & can't find much on Google. Thanks!

Answer 1

Sorry , but you need a Kiln to melt glass your kitchen oven does not get hot enough ;)))

Answer 2

While some low melting point glass will start to melt at a temperature as low as 500 degrees Celsius, most glass needs a much higher (1100+) temperature to melt.  A domestic oven on its highest setting rarely goes higher than 200 degrees.

A little research shows that you need a glass kiln, it takes more than 10 hours to melt, and you need to anneal them properly.    Glass that is not properly annealed and cooled can shatter explosively when it cools to a certain temperature (determined by the chemical make-up of the glass).

You will need to do a lot of research, educate yourself thoroughly in the properties of glasses of different compositions, and invest in the proper equipment.  You will also need to invest in a proper fireproof housing for the kiln and a workshop that is not part of your house.  This is NOT a kitchen craft.

Have fun with the research, and good luck with the project.