Baking Polymer Clay In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Baking polymer clay is a delicate process that requires the right tools and the right temperature. While it is possible to use an air fryer oven to bake polymer clay, it is not recommended. Air fryers are small convection ovens that blow hot air around the food to cook it evenly. This makes them similar to the Cadillac of curing polymer clay, which is a convection oven. However, air fryers have smaller floor space, which can be an issue when curing polymer clay. Additionally, most air fryers may not have a low enough temperature setting or the ability to choose between different temperatures. It is crucial to test the temperature of your air fryer with an oven thermometer before attempting to cure polymer clay. While it is possible to cure polymer clay in an air fryer, it is not recommended until it has been tested by the manufacturer.

Can I use a microwave oven to bake polymer clay?

The short answer is no. You should not use a microwave oven to bake polymer clay. The packaging on many brands of polymer clay, such as Oytra Polymer Oven Bake Clay and Sculpey®, specifically states not to put the clay in the microwave.

Why you shouldn't use a microwave to bake polymer clay

Microwaves heat food unevenly, and polymer clay requires an even distribution of heat to cook properly. This means that if you put polymer clay in the microwave, some parts will begin to cure and harden, while other areas remain soft. The areas of the clay that are cooking will continue to receive the microwave's electromagnetic waves, causing overheating, bubbling, and even burning. When polymer clay burns, it releases acrid and harmful hydrogen chloride gas, which is dangerous to breathe and harmful to lung tissue.

Safe alternatives to a microwave

• Oven: The best tool for baking polymer clay is an oven. Ovens can be preheated to a uniform temperature throughout, which is crucial for baking polymer clay.
• Body warmth: You can also soften polymer clay by warming it with your body heat, for example, by putting it in your pocket or bra or by kneading it with your hands.
• Hot water: Another option is to put the clay into a plastic bag and immerse it in hot water for a few minutes.

If you can turn off the microwave function, and the oven can operate like a regular convection oven, then this should be fine for baking polymer clay.

Can I boil polymer clay in water?

While it is possible to boil polymer clay in water, it is not recommended as the best method for curing it. Boiling polymer clay is an alternative curing method that has been used in the past, particularly in Scandinavian countries. However, it is important to note that boiling water is not as hot as the recommended baking temperature for polymer clay, which is typically around 275°F (135°C). Therefore, boiling may not fully cure the clay, especially for thicker pieces.

To boil polymer clay, only small, rounded shapes, such as beads, should be used to prevent deformation. The clay will need to be boiled for an extended period, as the lower temperature of boiling water means that more time is required to cure the clay thoroughly. Additionally, boiling may not be suitable for complex or delicate shapes, as they can be damaged or deformed by the movement of the water.

Using a convection oven is generally the preferred method for curing polymer clay. Convection ovens provide even heating and help prevent hot spots, reducing the risk of burning or scorching the clay. They are also more readily available and convenient for most people than boiling water.

Therefore, while boiling polymer clay in water is possible, it is not the most effective or practical method for curing it. Using a convection oven, such as a home oven, toaster oven, or tabletop convection oven, is a more reliable and accessible option.

Can I bake polymer clay in a home oven?

Yes, you can bake polymer clay in a home oven. In fact, you can use any oven that will reach and maintain the correct temperature through the baking process. This includes a toaster oven, tabletop convection oven, or roaster oven.

However, you should not use a microwave, as it does not create the right kind of heating for curing polymer clay.

When baking polymer clay, it's important to preheat your oven based on the package instructions. Make sure your oven can reach and maintain the correct temperature and has good ventilation. Place an oven thermometer in the baking area and confirm that you can read it through your oven door.

The baking time and temperature will depend on the specific type of clay you are using. For example, Cernit, Fimo, Premo, Sculpey, and Souffle clay bakes at 275 °F (135 °C), Kato clay at 300 °F (149 °C), and Pardo clay at 325 °F (163 °C). As a general rule, bake the clay for 30 to 45 minutes per 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) of thickness.

It's also recommended to cover the clay with a tented piece of aluminum foil or an upside-down baking pan to ensure even heating and prevent scorching. Additionally, make sure to use a surface suitable for the shape of your clay creation. For flat items, a metal baking tray, ceramic tiles, or glass will work fine. For round objects or shaped sculptures, you can use polyester stuffing, shaped aluminum foil, cardboard holders, or a bead baking rack.

Polymer clay does not produce toxic fumes when baked at the recommended temperature. However, it can burn when exposed to temperatures above 350°F (177°C), releasing irritating hydrogen chloride fumes. Therefore, it's important to monitor the temperature and avoid leaving the clay in the oven for too long, as it can overheat and potentially crack and split.

Can I bake polymer clay in a toaster oven?

Yes, you can bake polymer clay in a toaster oven. However, there are some pros and cons to using a toaster oven instead of a regular oven.

Pros

• Less cost to operate than a large oven
• Less power consumption is better for the environment
• Cheap – you can buy them second-hand or new at clearance places for next to nothing
• Portable – you can bring it to your craft room or studio
• Separate from the cooking oven – some people are concerned that the fumes from baking polymer clay could contaminate food
• Quick to heat up and cool down

Cons

• Because the oven is small, it tends to cool off quickly and therefore has to reheat to get back up to temperature. This can cause ‘spikes’ in temperatures where the oven gets hotter than it should for short periods of time, causing scorching. To avoid this, it is important to tent your beads to protect them from the heat hitting them directly.
• The polymers in the clay need to be baked at their given temperatures for 30 minutes per 1/4 inch of thickness in order to fuse together and cure. Because of that, the fluctuating temperature can be a problem. To compensate, you will need to bake your beads for a longer period of time to ensure proper curing.
• The dials on toaster ovens are small and not very accurate, so the temperature you think you are setting your oven at may not be the actual temperature inside. As with any oven, it is important to use an oven thermometer to make sure you are getting the temperature just right. Always check the baking instructions on the polymer clay packaging. Different brands and even different colours within the same brand can bake differently, so make sure to read the package instructions.
• There can be ‘hot spots’ in the oven. Test your oven to see if there are any spots that are hotter than others by moving your thermometer around and checking the readings.
• Work in a room that is well-ventilated. Just because a toaster oven is small and you can put it anywhere, don’t set it directly in front of you while you are baking beads. Although the clay is non-toxic to work with, the fumes from burnt clay can be harmful, so you won’t want to be breathing them in.

Tips

• The cheaper the better. The expensive toaster ovens with all the bells and whistles aren’t worth the added cost. In fact, many have self-cleaning features that tend to ‘spike’ the temperature even more than the cheaper models.
• When tenting your beads with folded parchment or office paper, it is important to check and make sure the paper does not touch the element. Although the baking temperature is very low and the paper will not burn if tented properly, it still can catch fire if you let it touch the element.
• When baking beads, make sure to work in a well-ventilated room, watch the oven temperature carefully using an oven thermometer, and carefully tent the beads to protect them from scorching.

Can I bake polymer clay in a convection oven?

Yes, you can bake polymer clay in a convection oven. In fact, convection ovens are ideal for baking polymer clay because the fan creates a more even temperature.

Convection ovens are small, countertop ovens that blow hot air around the cavity to prevent hot spots. This means that there are no hotter areas in the corners or around the clay. You also don't need to use aluminium foil "tents" to protect your clay from darkening, which can blow around in convection ovens.

However, most ovens are wildly inaccurate, so you will need to adjust the temperature with a separate thermometer. You can buy a standing oven thermometer and place it next to your clay to ensure the oven is achieving the right temperature for polymer clay.

It's worth noting that you can't use a microwave to cure polymer clay.

Frequently asked questions