Polymer clay can be used to make a variety of crafts, from beads, charms, figurines, or cups. Whatever project you want to work on, this material can be heated in an oven so you don't have to look for a furnace. Choose between a conventional oven or a toaster oven, depending on the scale of your project. Either way, you can make clay crafts in no time by baking them in the oven.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using a Conventional Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven according to the instructions on the clay pack
The type of clay determines the right temperature to heat it. So, read the packaging to find out. Usually the Cernit, Fimo, Premo, Sculpey, and Souffle clays should be heated to 135 °C. Kato clay must be heated to 149 °C, while Pardo clay is 163 °C.
Open the window to let the smoke from the heating process of the clay come out of the kitchen
Step 2. Place a sheet of paper on top of a ceramic tile placed on an aluminum baking sheet
Purchase a few square aluminum pans from your local convenience store or supermarket. The pan should be deep enough for the clay to fit in and one of the pans should be able to serve as a cover. Place a baking sheet on a flat surface, then place a ceramic tile in the center. After that, place a piece of HVS paper or parchment paper on top of the ceramic.
- The ceramic will keep the temperature stable in the pan, while the paper will protect the clay from the heat of the ceramic.
- The clay covered in the pan will be protected from heat, won't burn, and the smoke won't spread.
Step 3. Put the clay you want to burn on the paper, then cover the baking sheet with another pan
Place the formed clay on a paper and ceramic mat. Then, use another pan as a cover. Place 2 binder tongs at opposite ends of the pan to seal.
You can cover the pan with foil if you don't have another pan to use
Step 4. Heat 0.64 cm thick clay for 30-45 minutes
Place the pan in the oven. Make sure it is centered and a safe distance from the walls of the oven and the heating element. The type of clay and its thickness affect the duration of burning. So, read the packaging again to find out. Usually, each clay with a thickness of 0.64 cm should be heated for 45 minutes.
- For example, if the clay is 4.4 cm thick, bake it for 3.5 to 5.25 hours.
- Polymer clay will not burn if heated at low temperatures. So, don't be afraid to cook it in the oven for a long time.
Step 5. Let the clay cool for 30-60 minutes
Remove the baking sheet from the oven using oven mitts and transfer it to a heat-resistant surface. Allow the clay to cool, usually 30-60 minutes. Unfortunately, the only way to tell if clay has finished heating is to crack it – clay that breaks into flakes takes less time to heat, while finished clay bounces off before it breaks.
- You may need to make several tests to find out the right firing temperature and duration for various clays of varying thickness.
- If you feel that the clay is not taking long enough to heat, you can reheat it in the oven using the same method as before.
Method 2 of 2: Burning Clay in the Toaster Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven according to the instructions on the sales package of the clay
Different brands of clay require different temperatures to heat. So, first read the instructions carefully to find out the right temperature. If you are using a mixture of several different polymer clays or have already removed the packaging, simply preheat the oven to 129 °C. Make sure your work area is well ventilated to allow smoke from the oven to escape.
- You don't have to use clay that's made specifically for baking in a toaster oven; following the same instructions as a conventional oven will give similar results.
- You may need to use your own oven thermometer to measure the temperature in the clay, as toaster oven thermometers are often less accurate.
- Due to the small size of the oven toaster, it is only suitable for burning beads, charms, ornaments, or small sculptures.
Step 2. Lay the ceramic tiles, then place a piece of parchment paper on the baking sheet
Place the ceramic or tile on the baking sheet that comes with the oven. This object will help dissipate the heat. If the ceramic is prone to burning, line it with parchment paper or HVS.
Step 3. Lay down the clay and cover it with parchment paper like a “tent”
Carefully position the clay on the paper and ceramic. Fold the parchment paper in half so that there is a crease in the middle. Set up the paper on the clay like a "tent". This will prevent the clay from burning when heated. Make sure the paper doesn't touch the heating element inside the toaster oven.
Step 4. Heat 0.64 cm thick clay for 30-45 minutes
Carefully place a baking sheet filled with ceramic and clay in the toaster oven. The type and thickness of clay greatly affect the duration of heating. So, read the sales package again to find out. Usually, you will need to bake the clay for 30-45 minutes per 0.64 cm of thickness. You should heat the clay longer than the recommended time to fully harden all of it.
- For example, if the clay is 6.4 cm thick, bake it for 5 to 7.5 hours.
- If the clay is covered, the object will not burn even if heated for hours.
Step 5. Remove the clay and let it sit for 30-60 minutes
When you're done, use oven mitts to remove the pan from the oven. Place it on a heat-resistant surface, then transfer the clay to a safe place. Allow to cool, about 30-60 minutes. While you can't tell if the clay has finished heating just by looking at it, if in doubt, you can reheat it using the same method.
It's a good idea to heat several different thicknesses of clay to test and find the best temperature
Tips
- If you are using more than one type of polymer clay, heat it to the lowest recommended temperature.
- Do not use the microwave to "bake" the clay, as the coating will not harden.
Warning
- Polymer clays can produce slightly toxic fumes if heated to too high a temperature to ignite. Work on your project in a well-ventilated room.
- Never bake food with polymer clay, as this will expose the food to toxins and make it unsafe to eat.
