Using microwave kiln to bisque ceramics

[@lisarobinson1443]

I can’t tell you how helpful your advice here has been! After several of my pendants had exploded and I was feeling rather defeated I took your advice and hallelujah I have pendants that have survived in tact! ☺️Thank you!

[@artylundy]

I know that frustration! Glad I could be helpful 👍

[@kjirstenboucher9682]

Making ceramic jewelry in a microwave kiln is just what I was searching for. Thank you so much for sharing this information! 😊

[@adianezhernandez5877]

I’m so happy I don’t have to wait till my kiln oven is full. I have my microwave kiln for small project! Game changer

[@Oliveyewalways]

Nice video! Thank you for the information! I just discovered microwave kilns today and picked one up and some clay as well. Love the baking tip to get the excess water out! I haven’t seen anyone else suggest that 😊

[@christimarshall8376]

Thank you! I just started making small clay pieces and the first ones exploded in microwave kiln after two weeks of drying. I assume there was still moisture. So will definitely try baking on 200 first then microwaving.

[@maryphilippou79]

This was a very useful video, thanks. Hope to see one on glazing in a mwk.

[@madc.8153]

Hello great video very informative! I’m curious when you said 200°F because the boiling point of water is 212 to 215 depending on your elevation. so do you need the temperature to be slightly under to work out or do you actually wanna boil it out of the best?

[@artylundy]

you need your piece to be as dry as possible before going into the kiln. By baking it before at 200 or more, you will evaporate any residual moisture from your greenware.

[@saxenart]

@@artylundyhello, how long did you bake it in the oven?

[@natmickan]

@@saxenart the video said about half an hour (@ 2:10)

[@catherineguest1729]

Thank you for doing this video

[@shaunhall960]

Are there any bigger microwave kilns so you could do large mugs?

[@artylundy]

not that I have seen. Anything larger and you will have to upgrade to an electric kiln.

[@shaunhall960]

@@artylundy Thanks for the info.

[@oozingcool]

Thank you so much!!! Mine kept exploding and after doing this it's all working out!

[@bossdog1480]

I'm having problems with the finished pieces cracking. I don't think it's happening at the bisquing stage. At least I can't see any cracks there. Somewhere in the glazing I end up with usually small cracks, but enough to ruin the piece. I have tried everything. Shocking it by going up and down quickly to the other extreme of heating it up in small increments and cooling it down over night. Still getting cracks. I've even started glazing underneath in case the glaze is 'pulling'. Any ideas?

[@kathrenlundy6796]

Are you doing the oven method before glazing as well? I need to put out a video on glazing.

[@bossdog1480]

Yes. I may try it for a bit longer though, especially with raku clay.@@kathrenlundy6796

[@JenniferMakoski]

I teach pottery and ceramics at the High Schoo level but I am a newbie with the microwave kiln. and I find your video very helpful, do you have a glaze demo?

[@artylundy]

I am really hoping to have time to do a glazing video this year.

[@bibinvarkey3041]

Can small glass be toughened in microwave oven?

[@artylundy]

You can do fused glass in the microwave kiln ,which it is mainly marketed towards. I'm guessing that is what you are asking?

[@pavithrakb]

Hi. What’s your microwave kiln size? I like how many pendants it can hold.

[@artylundy]

The internal size is 5inch diameter. I usually fit 4 pendants, sometimes 5 if they are smaller. Make sure to leave a gap around them.

[@jamieharrison5946]

Where can I get one of those for the microwave

[@kathrenlundy6796]

Amazon is the best place. The larger size is what you need for ceramics.

[@chadelliott8012]

212 is boiling point of water

[@dssd245]

have you tried just doing the entire 15 min at one time?

[@kathrenlundy6796]

Best not to because of uneven heating. It is also not good for your microwave if the heat stays in one place.

[@barbar-w4d]

I used the oven and for the first time it didn’t blow up.. then I put in two other pieces in the hot kiln.. they blew up within minutes. I guess it’s heat shock. Good think I’ve got another one coming in the mail. I won’t have to wait for them to cool

[@jimc7987]

Have you noticed any drastic increase in electric bill doing this in the microwave?

[@artylundy]

Not that I've noticed, but I don't do it every day.

[@paulapachon7970]

How long should be for porcelain?

[@artylundy]

I haven't done porcelain, but I would bake until there is a color change.

[@soniaspence5646]

What power do use use? I've heard 80%

[@kathrenlundy6796]

I increase every 5min. Starting at 50% and ending at 80%

[@craftingbybb]

Love you video, thinking about getting the kiln, do you use your daily microwave or do you have one just for this

[@artylundy]

I wouldn't recommend using your kitchen microwave. The glass can leave residue and can get fumy so it is best to do it with ventilation.

[@emilygardner8842]

Did you make the video on glazing?? I really want to see it :) We just got the kiln!

[@artylundy]

Aw thank you for asking! I had some life changes so got a bit sidetracked. I hope to do one either end of this year or first of next 👍

[@bambooinchina]

What sort of clay did you use please? Great video thanks!

[@artylundy]

You want to use a low fire clay. This one is a white clay. It looks grey before bisque firing.

[@TheGoodestWitch333]

Why do rounds of.3 minutes? Why not just do 30 minutes?

[@artylundy]

You need to rotate the lid every few minutes for an even heat. If you don't there may be hot spots that melt faster than others.

[@theglasshopper]

What kind of clay do you use and where do you buy it?

[@artylundy]

Any general low fire clay will work. Mine was a white clay. You can price search around Google.

[@janielynnadams5178]

Are you using clay

[@lundync]

Yes, ceramic clay. Low fire clay is best.

[@andrejadvor9006]

Very nice and useful video. How strong (powerful) is your microwave? Which glaze do you use in this kiln?

[@artylundy]

My microwave is a 1200W. Usually I like to use low fire crystal glazes because you can tell when the crystals melt that the temp is about right.

[@jazmyne3223]

Thank you for this video cause I just exploded 4 pieces . 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@JenniferMakoski]

me too!