HELP!!!Burned Polymer Clay

[garetta]

First time trying to use polymer Clay. I bought a Premo Kit with aisian stamps and clay included followed instructions but it still burned.Does anyone have any tips?? Smells awful, and I am using a toster oved just for crafts.

Thank You!!

[wendalyn]

That happened the first time i put mine in the oven. I burnt the whole pan LOL. I turned my oven down 50 degrees and just stood there and watched it till it was done.

[Michelle Laycock]

Hmm.... I've never burned mine. Did you leave it in too long? Is your oven "hotter" than normal?


I can just imagine what it must smell like...

[garetta]

It was my first time using it. Will be for craft use only.

[shellpole]

Hi there....I was told in a clay dedicated class that the small toaster ovens are notoriously inreliable in that what the dial says is the temperature is often NOT the case. We were advised to purchase an oven thermometer, check the oven using this, and then keep the dial wherever the thermometer has a steady 120-130 degree Celcius range. Mine is actually set at about 90 degrees, but heats to the above range. I believe the "cooking" time should be around 20 minutes. This oven is craft dedicated as was also advised within that class.

Hope this helps,
Michelle
Aust.

[ninatar]

Be sure to keep your toaster oven in a well ventilated area, or turn on your range exhaust. Those fumes are not good for you.

I've noticed that different clays have different baking temperatures, and I have had the same problem unreliable temperatures in small ovens. Best bet is to stand there and watch. The translucent colors sear very quickly in the best of circumstances, but are among my favorites.

Some people add reinker dyes, and other items in the clay before backing, and that can be highly experimental - combining chemicals and then applying heat...

Keep cookin!

[SharkL8y]

Hello,

I hope this doesn't turn you off of polymer clay. I teach classes in PC and have been using it for almost 20 years now. The temperature cannot exceed the recommended baking temp on the package. Most clay will bake at 265 degrees although some say 270. If you are mixing clays, bake at the lower temp so you won't burn anything.

Yes, toaster ovens are notorious for going over the set temp and then cooling down to the desired temp. An oven thermometer is your best bet and keep an eye on it. I got a toaster oven just for crafts and I simply can't use it. The actual time that is spent at 265 degrees is only about a 3rd of the time. I still use my kitchen oven but I use plenty of ventilation and I am nearly religious with my oven thermometer.

By the way, the TIME the item spends in the oven doesn't make a difference unless you're using translucent clay. The temperature is the only thing that matters.

Hope this helps.
Dj

[inspiredbycreativity]

Wow you sound just like me when I baked my first polymer clay project last year and I burned that thing. I have a toaster oven dedicated to just the polymer clay, shrink plastic, and other crafts. All ovens are not created equal. I have learned for mine to turn it up higher than the desired temperature and then turn it down to the temperature in the package or a little below. Then I wait a little bit and then put my pieces in there and watch it and check them regularly.