How to Use Ovens for Polymer Clay
How to use ovens for polymer clay crafts
Instructions
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There are several different ovens that can be used for curing polymer clay. A toaster oven, home oven and convention oven can be used. The price of these ovens can very from $ 20.00 to thousands of dollars. Never use a microwave to warm or cure polymer clay. It just doesn't work
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Some tools will help with the curing process your polymer clay project. An oven thermometer will help keep and eye on the temperature. Oven thermometer are relatively cheap and can be found in most department stores. Also look in your polymer clay section of the craft store. Some ovens (mostly toaster ovens) fluctuate in temperature. This can make the curing process difficult. The thermometer can be used to help calibrate the oven to reduce this problem. To do this turn the oven on to the recommend setting according to the clay package. Put the oven thermometer inside. Check every 3 to 4 minutes until it reaches the set temperature. As the oven goes trough the heating and cooling cycle, keep an eye on the thermometer. Make any adjustments that are need and check again. Keep doing this until the oven is set where you want it. You may have noticed the dial is set higher or lower then the package says. Do not worry as long as the thermometer reads the temperature the clay package says
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Timers are another useful tool when curing polymer clay. Again these are relatively cheap or you may already leave one. It may have come on the oven itself or some watches have them. Follow the directions on the clay package for how long to leave the project in the oven. If you leave the clay project in the oven too long or the oven becomes too hot it may burn. The project will most likely be ruined. When polymer clay burns, it changes the chemical compounds in the clay and will release fumes . They can be toxic. So be careful and watch the time.
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Toaster ovens are the most inexpensive oven for curing clay and can range is size and price. The can also be the most difficult to work with as far as getting the right temperature. The space in the toaster oven can sometimes be limited. So for small projects such as beads this is perfect. If you dedicate this oven for craft use only, the less cleaning of the oven too do.
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Home ovens are the oven where family meals are prepared. There are some down sides of using this oven. If you use this for polymer clay the project should be tented to reduce the residue left behind by the clay. To tent a project put aluminum foil over the top or but it in aluminum pan with another pan turned upside down over the top. Secure the pans together with wooden clothes pens. Make sure to wiped the oven out after curing the clay project.
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Here are some other ways to get the most out of curing a polymer clay project. Pre-heat the oven before putting the clay project in the oven. When the time is up turn the off and let the clay project cool inside the oven. Make sure to cure the clay project on a heat safe surface such as glass pans, ceramic tile, or aluminum pans. Do not use telfon coated cookware. This is also a type of polymer and can affect the project with disastrous results. Also remember any tools used for polymer clay should not be used for food. Happy claying
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