How to Make Bowls out of Vinyl Records

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You can easily turn any old, unwanted vinyl records into unique bowls! These crafty creations can be used for any storage purpose and make great gifts. All you need is an old, vinyl record, a heat-safe bowl, an oven, and a few minutes of free time. Make sure you have adequate ventilation for this project -- melting vinyl can produce harmful fumes.

Things You Should Know

  • You can make a bowl out of a vinyl record by warping the record over a bowl in the oven.
  • Use a metal or glass heat-safe bowl.
  • Keep an eye on the record so it doesn't melt!
  • Open windows and turn on a fan before you start. Melting vinyl puts off fumes that aren't safe to breathe.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using the Outside of a Bowl

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    Move the oven rack to the bottom of the oven. Have a window open or turn a fan on to ensure adequate ventilation. This is very important, as the melting vinyl will give off fumes that are not safe to breathe in.
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    Choose a bowl that is a little smaller than the record, and set it right-side-up onto a baking sheet. To further protect your baking sheet, line it with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
    • Make sure that you are happy with the size of the bowl. The record bowl will end up roughly the same size.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Bowls out of Vinyl Records
    Make sure that the record is centered and that the label is facing upward. If your record has a label on each side, make sure that the side you like the best is facing up.
    • If the record is dirty, clean it first.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Bowls out of Vinyl Records
    Again, make sure that the can is centered. The can will weigh the record down as it heats up, and help it conform to the shape of the bowl.
    • If you don't have a can, fill a cloth bag with dried beans or rice, and use that instead.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Bowls out of Vinyl Records
    Place the baking sheet into the oven and let it bake. After about 3 to 5 minutes, the vinyl will start to soften and warp. Do not bake it longer than 10 minutes.
    • Adjust the shape while the record is in the oven. Use a metal spatula to poke and prod it.
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    Use a pair of oven mits to take the entire baking sheet out of the oven. Set it down onto a heat-safe surface, and let the record cool down. This should only take about 10 to 15 minutes.
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    The record will now have a bowl-like shaped with ruffled sides. You can use it to store non-food items, like as jewelry, ornaments, or even remote controls.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Inside of a Bowl

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    Open up a window or turn a fan on so that you have good ventilation. Make sure that the oven rack is in the bottom portion of the oven. [1]
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    Choose a bowl that is about 8½ to 9 inches (21.59 to 22.86 centimeters) wide. [2] Place it upside down onto a large baking sheet. If you'd like to further protect your baking sheet, cover it with aluminum foil or parchment paper first.
    • You can also use cans, mugs, or even metal colanders [3]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Bowls out of Vinyl Records
    Make sure that the record is centered, and that the side you want to be on the inside is facing down. [4]
    • Clean the record first if it is dirty.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Bowls out of Vinyl Records
    This should take about 3 to 5 minutes, but it would take up to 8 or 10 minutes. Keep an eye on your record, however, so that it does not melt. Once it starts to warp, you are ready for the next step.
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    Use a pair of oven mitts to pull the entire baking sheet out of the oven. Set it down onto a heat-safe surface.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Bowls out of Vinyl Records
    You may be able to do this with your bare hands, but you will need to be careful so that you don't burn yourself on the base bowl or the baking sheet. You can also shape the bowl using a metal spoon or spatula instead.
    • The record will start to cool and harden in about 20 to 30 seconds, so work quickly!
    • Alternatively, you can set the record into a smaller bowl (right-side-up) first, then shape it that way. [5]
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    After about 10 to 15 minutes, the record should be rigid again, and cool to the touch. Once that happens, you can lift it off of the base bowl, and use it to store non-food items, such as remotes, knick-knacks, or accessories.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    If you inhale the fumes, what will happen? How can you treat it?
    T. Chinsen
    Top Answerer
    Exposure to carcinogenic compounds can result in cancer many years after the initial exposure. There is no way of knowing when it will occur. Smoking became popular in the 1920s and there was a corresponding rise in the cancer rate in the 1950s. Working with any materials that outgas toxic compounds and not wearing safety gear is not a good choice. Heating vinyl results in many of these carcinogenic compounds being released.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 8
  • Question
    Do we need proper protection from the fumes?
    Community Answer
    You should always wear a mask, no matter what kind of fumes you're working with. I'd recommend going with either an N-95 or heavier duty mask, as some of the paper ones don't always repel everything.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    Can you use your oven after this?
    Alex Lukacsffi
    Community Answer
    You should allow your oven time to no longer have fumes from the vinyl before using it again.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • If you don't like how your bowl turned out, place it back into the oven, and heat it up again! [6]
        Thanks
      • Pet hair sticks to vinyl records. If your furry housemate sheds on your record bowl, simply wipe the bowl clean with a damp cloth. [7]
        Thanks
      • Spray the base bowl with cooking spray before adding the record to make the record easier to remove. [8]
        Thanks
      Show More Tips
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      Warnings

      • Keep an eye on the record while it is in the oven. Vinyl records melt quickly!
        Thanks
      • Do not leave the can in the oven for too long, as it may explode due to the heat. It might be a good idea to puncture the can first.
        Thanks
      • Do not use the bowls for food, even dried.
        Thanks
      • Keep a window open or a fan on. The vinyl will give off fumes as it bakes; these fumes are not safe to breathe in.
        Thanks
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      Things You'll Need

      Using the Outside of a Bowl

      • Oven
      • Baking sheet
      • Heat-safe bowl
      • Can
      • Old record
      • Oven mitts

      Using the Inside of a Bowl

      • Oven
      • Baking sheet
      • Heat-safe bowl, 8½ to 9 inches (21.59 to 22.86 centimeters) wide
      • Can
      • Old record
      • Oven mitts

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.upcyclethat.com/record-bowls/
      2. ↑ http://offbeatbride.com/diy-record-bowl/
      3. ↑ https://www.upcyclethat.com/record-bowls/
      4. ↑ http://offbeatbride.com/diy-record-bowl/
      5. ↑ http://offbeatbride.com/diy-record-bowl/
      6. ↑ https://www.upcyclethat.com/record-bowls/
      7. ↑ http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf895928.tip.html
      8. ↑ http://offbeatbride.com/diy-record-bowl/
      9. ↑ http://www.starsforstreetlights.com/diy-vinyl-record-bowls/
      1. ↑ http://www.starsforstreetlights.com/diy-vinyl-record-bowls/
      2. ↑ http://offbeatbride.com/diy-record-bowl/

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        Feb 16, 2017

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