Abstract: The invention relates to a method of drying and sintering porous optical fiber preforms, especially those consisting of a solid glass core cane surrounded by a layer of cladding soot. After it is dried in a dehydrating atmosphere, the porous preform is heated to a presinter temperature just below that at which it would begin to rapidly densify. The various temperature holds and ramp rates are such that the preform is consolidated in a relatively short time without becoming cloudy or exhibiting other defects that would adversely affect the optical fiber drawn from the consolidated draw blank.