Glass blowing - does anyone know the specifics about the 'GLORY HOLE'?

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A Glory Hole is a piece of equipment used by glass blowers (well sometimes) to reheat a piece that is currently being worked on, after it has started to cool off. Other artists reheat their work in the mouth of the melting furnace, as the glory hole is an expense some dont want to get into for a while, maybe? What is the specific difference, other than that I believe the glory hole runs at a hotter operating spec than your melting furnace would? Is there any tangible difference? is it ease?