Air Fryer And Clay: A Creative Combination?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance for cooking food, but can they be used for non-food purposes, such as curing polymer clay? While some people have expressed interest in using an air fryer for this purpose, the general recommendation is to avoid it. Polymer clay requires specific baking instructions, including precise temperatures and times, to avoid crumbling, burning, or fusing. While air fryers offer temperature and time settings, they may not be accurate enough for curing polymer clay. Additionally, the small size and vigorous air circulation of air fryers might not be suitable for larger clay pieces. To ensure successful curing of polymer clay, it is best to follow the manufacturer's instructions and stick to conventional ovens or toaster ovens.

Air fryers can be used to cure polymer clay

Air fryers circulate hot air around the food to cook it, and they can be used to cure polymer clay. They are small, forced-air convection ovens, which are considered the best heat sources for curing polymer clay. This is because the fans in convection ovens blow hot air around the oven cavity, ensuring an even temperature.

Air fryers can be set to a specific temperature and time, which is ideal for curing polymer clay. However, it is worth noting that the "floor space" in air fryers is small, so you may need to use racks or risers to create more space, ensuring the clay is not too close to the heat source. It is also recommended to use a standing oven thermometer to ensure the correct temperature is reached.

Baking polymer clay at the correct temperature is crucial. If the temperature is too low, the clay will crumble, and if it is too hot, the outside will fuse and burn before the centre is cooked. The clay should cure evenly and turn into hard plastic. It is also important to note that polymer clay can be cured for longer than necessary without causing damage, and it will only get stronger with more polymerization.

While some sources recommend using a dedicated oven for curing polymer clay, others suggest that air fryers can be a viable option, especially for small pieces or figurines.

Clay should cure evenly and turn into hard plastic

When baking polymer clay, it's important to ensure that it cures evenly. If the temperature is too low, the clay will crumble, and if it's too hot, the outside will fuse and burn before the centre is cooked. The ideal scenario is for the clay to cure evenly throughout and turn into a hard plastic.

To achieve this, the right equipment is essential. While a gas oven may not be accurate, a convection oven is the best option for curing clay. This is because the fan blows heated air around the oven cavity, ensuring there are no hotter areas. An air fryer is a type of convection oven, so it can be used to cure polymer clay. However, it's important to note that most people who work with clay dedicate smaller ovens to the task.

Air fryers have a smaller "floor space", so you may need to use racks or risers to create more area for the clay, ensuring the heated air can still circulate around it. It's also a good idea to use a standing oven thermometer to ensure the air fryer is reaching the correct temperature. The ideal temperature for polymer clay is around 130°C (265°F).

While you can cure polymer clay in an air fryer, it's not recommended by all manufacturers. FIMO, for example, does not list air fryers as an option in their instructions, so it's best to stick to a conventional oven for now.

Clay can be baked in stages to avoid damage

While it is possible to bake clay in an air fryer, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, air fryers are small convection ovens that circulate hot air to cook food evenly. This makes them suitable for curing polymer clay, as convection ovens are recommended for this purpose due to their ability to prevent hot spots and protect the clay from darkening.

However, it is crucial to monitor the temperature accurately to ensure the clay cures properly. An oven thermometer can be placed next to the clay to ensure the air fryer is maintaining the right temperature. Additionally, the size of the air fryer's "floor space" may be a limiting factor, and you may need to use racks or risers to create more area for the clay, ensuring that heated air can still circulate around it.

When it comes to baking clay, it is recommended to do it in stages to avoid causing any damage to your creation. Baking in stages also allows for quality checks, ensuring that the clay is not underbaked or overbaked. Underbaked clay may still be soft and require additional baking time, while overbaked clay will have a darkened surface and may exhibit bubbling.

It is important to follow the baking instructions on the specific clay packaging, as different brands may have varying temperature and timing requirements. The thickness of the clay piece also plays a role in determining the baking time, with thicker pieces requiring longer baking times. By baking in stages and monitoring the progress, you can avoid underbaking or overcooking your clay creation.

Clay can be fixed if it's been over-baked

While some people suggest that an air fryer can be used to cure polymer clay, there is no definitive answer. However, if your clay has been over-baked, there are several fixes you can try.

Firstly, identify the issue. If your clay has darkened spots or comes out of the oven bubbling, it has been burnt. White, translucent, and light-colored clays are more prone to heat discoloration. This can be caused by an inaccurate oven temperature setting, using an improper baking surface, or placing the clay too close to the heating element.

Burnt clay can be color-corrected by gently sanding away the burned spots with 1000-grit sandpaper to expose the original color underneath. Alternatively, you can soak the discolored creation in bleach overnight to return white clay to its original color and brighten other darkened hues without washing them out.

Underbaked clay will be softer and more fragile than fully cured clay. This is caused by curing at too low a temperature or not baking the clay for long enough. The good news is that it is safe to rebake polymer clay. Simply place the clay back in the oven and bake it for a longer period, ensuring that the temperature is correct. Many recommend baking for at least an hour to ensure the clay is strong enough.

If your clay has bumps or air bubbles, you can soften and smooth these with acetone. Soak a cotton swab with acetone and lightly rub it over the bumpy clay, alternating directions to avoid creating a groove. Then, wipe the area again with an acetone-soaked cotton pad to remove any streaks and smooth the surface.

If your clay has cracked or broken, fill in the cracks and repair the pieces with polymer clay dust and glue. Bake a scrap piece of color-matched clay and use a coarse nail file to shave a small pile of fine clay particles. Mix the clay dust with two-part epoxy glue or plumber's putty to make a paste, then fill in the cracks and sand smooth once the paste has hardened.

Clay should not be baked on metal or glass surfaces

While it is possible to bake polymer clay in an air fryer, there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, air fryers are small convection ovens that use forced air to circulate hot air around the food, cooking it evenly. This makes them suitable for curing polymer clay, as convection ovens are recommended for this purpose due to their ability to maintain a consistent temperature and prevent hot spots.

However, when it comes to the surfaces on which clay should be baked, it is important to note that clay cannot be effectively bonded to metal or other non-porous surfaces. Instead, it is recommended to wrap the clay entirely around the metal or glass object to help it stay in place. Adhesives like Loctite and Gorilla Instant Glue can also be used to attach clay to metal or glass surfaces.

Therefore, if you are considering using an air fryer to bake clay, it is crucial to place the clay on a suitable surface within the air fryer, such as a small metal baking tray, ceramic tile, or glass, rather than directly on the metal or glass surfaces of the air fryer itself. Additionally, it is important to follow the recommended baking temperature and time for your specific type of clay, as overheating can cause the clay to crack and split.

Frequently asked questions