From the moment we first laid eyes on record bowls we were intrigued. These babies have it all: reusability, retro feel and straight up style. We had to find out how to make them. It turns out record bowls are super easy to make. Edit: We have learned that there are toxicity risks involved with making these, so please be careful and take safety precautions if you choose to proceed.

record bowls

We aren’t lying when we say these are easy to make. The method is simple. We initially thought the records could be melted with a hair dryer or some sort of heat lamp. Turns out we were over thinking it. These puppies are quite simply melted in the oven.

How to make a record bowl

Step 1

record bowlsAssemble the records you want to upcycle. If you don’t have any oldies lying around then head over to your local thrift store and grab some for around a dollar a piece. We selected the classics: Madonna, Wham, Olivia Newton John and Swing Gently with Strauss.

(The latter apparently was not a hit sensation.)

Step 2

record bowlsPreheat your oven to 100-120°C. That’s 200-250°F. Place an oven safe bowl, mug or metal colander on a baking sheet.

 

 

 

Step 3

record bowls

Place your record on top of the oven safe bowl and put it in the oven. The side of the record placed directly on the colander will become the inside of the bowl. Bake your record for a few minutes and remove from the oven when the record starts to wobble and melt.

Step 4

Your record will be malleable for a few seconds only so work quickly, bending and pinching as you see fit. Careful, the record will be hot to the touch! If you want the record to stay still while you work, secure it to the bowl with a stick.

Step 5

record bowlYou can hand mould your record bowls or push them into another bowl to form a new shapes.   This is the time to experiment and try out new techniques. If you don’t like the results you can always pop your record back into the oven and melt the mistakes away.

 

Well done, you now have some rocking record bowls!

 

20 Thoughts on Record Bowls

  1. Ruining a good source of music in the name of crafting… not worth it!

    Reply
    • That’s one way to look at it. Although if you have records and no record player then it’s a good way to repurpose vinyl that would otherwise sit around and collect dust. Also, if you have scratched records.

      Reply
    • Have you seen how many records there are at yard sales, second hand stores etc? Most you find are scratched beyond repair, this is a great way to re-purpose them! Give those old records a lil love 😉

      Reply
  2. I love the idea. Any suggestion for sealing the label so that I could serve chips in it?

    Reply
    • Hi Rhonda try sealing the label with modge podge 🙂

      Reply
    • They are not safe for food

      Reply
      • Thousands of people ate food from those record bowls .. popcorn, chips.. never sealed anything and I have yet to hear of anyone dying from vinyl poisoning, unless it was from breast augmentation.

        Reply
  3. Just made a ton of these! Thanks for the help 😀

    Reply
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  6. I bought a bunch of scratched albums from the local thrift store to do this with. I like to think of it as giving a home to an otherwise useless classic.

    Reply
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  11. Great idea but haven’t the time. I have over 500 classical records for sale if anyone is interested. Norfolk/Suffolk borders!

    Reply
  12. Hi guys I just made a bunch with my kids then read up on how they are pretty much the most toxic plastic on the planet when heated!!! We have been scrubbing our oven and everything used but still concerned. Please read up before melting.

    ‘Heating vinyl records, as with making record bowls and cuffs, releases phthalates and dioxin, which are known carcinogens. Heating polyvinyl chloride releases gas which can leave a permanent residue on the interior of ovens this is done in. This should not be done in any oven used for food preparation. (And probably not at all.) How many people are making things in this method who own their own separate oven for toxic crafts? How many are in rental units where you’re leaving carcinogenic coatings in the oven where the next tenants prepare their food? Or where you prepare your family’s food?

    Reply
    • Thank you for sharing this information Awatea!

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      • Since Recognizing the importance of NOT heating up vinyl so as to avoid it’s toxicity, this arcticle should be EDITED ASAP so as to at least inform people of the risk…

        Reply
    • I read that the toxins are not released as long as you stay at 200 or less. I would like to double check prior to making them!!! Also, can you eat out of them if you coat the inside with modgepodge? Thank you!

      Reply

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