How To Heat Plastic

[AprilW]

Del has a post on using the microwave:

http://www.del-mart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9

Anyone want to give some tips on other methods of heating plastic? Add some info on microwave heating?

[kenny]

I use a portable 1 burner electic stove that has a temp.control. When working with one mold i can turn down heat between pours work,s great.

[AprilW]

How about using an electric griddle to keep plastic hot while pouring? How would it work for heating the plastic?

I don't recall anyone mentioning this, but I think it may work well. You would have alot of surface area to set several small pots on and the temp settings are adjustable.

If you covered it with foil, it would make cleanup fast.

[Fishigan21]

I'm interested in heating with a small portable burner. Anyone else have any experience? It seems like most people use the nuke, but I'm definately going to be doing this in the garage and didn't want to buy another one unless its the only way to go.

Thanks for the help, Dan

[dvowell]

I started out using the 'wave, but no longer do so. I use a small burner I picked up at Big Lots for next to nothing. I can put three small, pouring size aluminum pans (they have a very nice spout!) on at the same time. The temperature is adjustable and you can keep the plastic right at where you want to with a little practice...I usually turn the temp down a bit and then up it a notch or two right before I get ready to pour a certain color.

I haven't scorched ANY plastic at all since going to this method and production is every bit as fast as the nuke, at least in my opinion.

[Fishigan21]

dvowell,

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm going with your method...I found a 2 burner adjustable electric stove at Meijers for $20.

Tight lines, Dan

[dvowell]

No problem Dan! Best of luck pouring and have a great time!

-D

[wolfman148]

Most of the time i use a 2 burner, temp. controlled hot plate i got from walmart. It works great and I can pour two colors real good, but you have to start with about med. heat until plastic gets soft enough to add colors and glitters. Then you can turn the heat a little past med and start pouring. have patients in heating, because too fast and you will burn plastic. Stir regularly. It really does does a good job in regulating heat for stick molds. This is the only method I use.