Generally speaking, yes. Cords are the other main reason I use a potato. I am using mostly batch, and a thin layer of cords can form between each melted charge as the furnace is being filled. The potato helps break up those “charge” layers… However, because cords form when the fluxes in the glass begin to burn out, emptying the furnace completely between charges is almost essential. Otherwise, old cordy glass will just get mixed around with the potato. Also, if your cullet has been melted over and over without the introduction of new material, your just charging cordy cullet.

That is a very good question with some debate among glass blowers. After the last charge, the furnace is set to run at high fire temp for about 5 hours… After which, the furnace temp will ramp down to our ‘working’ temp. I personally prefer to potato the furnace after an hour or two into the high fire. Basically, when the glass is at its most viscous.

Hi, you are right about the density. I have heard of people also using things like apples. Because the potato is dense and sturdy, it stays intact pretty well. I did have a fellow glass blowing friend tell me about how he had a potato that got loose… He said it was a struggle getting it out because it was dancing around on surface of the glass like crazy. 🙂

one more thing! at what point in the charging cycle do you prefere to “do the potato” ?

Thank you! I’m glad you found this interesting.

Thank you very much for your kind words!