Microwave Kiln

A microwave kiln is a compact fusing chamber designed for use inside a suitable microwave, letting you fuse small glass pieces without a full electric kiln. Follow the kiln manufacturer's safety instructions, including any guidance about using a dedicated microwave. At Art Glass Supplies, this category covers the petite microwave kiln suited to jewelry-scale work like pendants, cabochons, small fused components.

What a Microwave Kiln Is

A microwave kiln is a small lidded ceramic vessel with a heat-absorbing interior lining. You place prepared glass on a kiln-paper covered shelf inside, set the lid, and run cycles in your microwave until the glass reaches the desired fuse. It is intended for small-scale fusing, not large platters or panels.

What You Can Make

The chamber size of a petite microwave kiln makes it ideal for pendants, earring drops, ring stones, small cabochons, fused buttons, and tiny decorative tiles. Stack thin sheet glass cut to shape, add stringer or frit accents, and fuse to a full melt or a soft tack depending on your firing time.

Choosing Glass and COE

Use compatible fusing glass within a single COE family (typically COE 90 or COE 96) and keep total stacked thickness modest so the piece heats evenly in the short cycle. Avoid mixing COE within the same fuse. Pair the kiln with kiln paper or shelf primer so finished pieces release cleanly. Shop our compatible fusing glass and kiln paper to stock the consumables you will run through repeatedly.

Firing Notes

Microwave fusing is fast compared with many programmable-kiln schedules, but firing and cooling times vary by microwave wattage, glass load, and kiln instructions. Wattage varies between microwaves, so plan to dial in your timing with test fires before committing a finished piece. Always let the kiln cool fully on a heatproof surface before lifting the lid, and use heat-rated mitts when handling.

Who It Suits

A microwave kiln is a practical starting point for makers who want to try fusing without investing in a programmable kiln, and a useful secondary tool for jewelry artists who want quick turnaround on small pieces between larger firings in their main kiln.