Can you Bake Polymer Clay in a Microwave?

The words "Do not use a microwave to cure Polymer Clay '' has been clearly mentioned in the packaging on Oytra Polymer Oven Bake Clay. Ever wondered why? Read along to find out.

What Happens to the Polymer Clay when you put it in a Microwave?

Microwaves are designed to release energy waves to heat the food. That heat actually cooks the molecules in the food. Polymer clay has small oil molecules. If you put the polymer clay in the microwave, some form of cooking process will initiate. However, as the temperature inside the microwave is not even some portions of the clay hardens while other areas are soft. At times, the cooking could also cause hardened clay to get overheated.

When you place the polymer clay in a container with water and boil it in the microwave, the temperature of the boiling water is not sufficient to cure the clay. This again causes the clay to get heated up unevenly which could result in crumbly pieces.

Thus, avoiding the microwave is important so that you have a safe and enjoyable crafting experience with polymer clays.

Do you need a microwave to soften polymer clay?

No. You can soften the polymer clay by warming it up in safe alternative ways. One of the simplest ways is by just providing warmth of your body by kneading with your hands. You can also put the clay into a plastic bag and immerse it in hot water for a few minutes.

The Best Option to bake Polymer Clay

To get excellent crafting results, the oven is the best tool. Unlike the microwave, ovens can be preheated to a uniform temperature throughout. For the Oytra Polymer Oven Bake Clay, you need to preheat to 120-130 Celsius. This will help you achieve a perfect and evenly baked outcome which can be used for your crafting project.