Oven & Related

One of the strongest appeals of polymer clay is that it cures at low temperatures (265°F or 275°F, depending on the brand). This means that you don't need a special kiln. Any standard kitchen oven will do.

Oven

Polymer clay is not picky; it will cure equally well in a regular kitchen oven, a convection oven, or a toaster oven, though it does best in an oven with a consistent temperature. Small toaster ovens may not be as consistent as larger ovens. Sometimes the heating element has to kick on and off to maintain the temperature. This can cause heat spikes that exceed your set temperature and may result in burnt clay. However, many artists and hobbyists find that toaster ovens are just right for their needs. It's a personal choice.

Manufacturers warn that polymer clay shouldn't be cured in microwave ovens, but some clayers have run experiments with boiling polymer clay both on a conventional stovetop and in microwave ovens. It is important to note that you should never try to cure polymer clay in a microwave oven or on a stovetop without submerging the clay in water. Doing so will cause it to heat unevenly, burn, and release harmful gases. While it is possible to cure polymer clay with a microwave or on a stovetop (see related links below), regular ovens and toaster ovens remain the most common tools for curing polymer clay.

When deciding how to cure polymer clay, remember to consider these safety concerns.

Oven Thermometer

Whatever oven you use, you'll need to test it to learn the accuracy of its thermostat. Ovens rarely heat to precisely the temperature you've set for them. They may be low, they may be high-they may be off by 50°F or more! This can result in burnt clay (which releases nasty fumes) or undercooked clay that may appear perfectly fine for months, only to crack or crumble later (because it was never fully cured).

Use an oven thermometer to check the accuracy of your oven and adjust as needed. Some people advise that you use an oven thermometer every time you cure clay so that you know for certain that it has reached the correct temperature.

Oven Timer

Though you can write down or make a mental note of when you put something into the oven and when it's due to come out, it is easy to forget or become sidetracked. A cheap timer can be a helpful reminder so that you can focus your thoughts to more important things-like the next polymer clay project on your list!

Oven Mitts

Don't forget the oven mitts or potholders when it's time to remove your project from the oven! His or her hands are a clayer's most precious tools, and you wouldn't want a painful burn to ruin your fun.

Baking Surfaces

When it comes time to cure your project, there are several options for baking surfaces. If you have a ceramic tile small enough (or an oven large enough), you can leave the clay item right there and transfer the tile into the oven. Any shallow pan or cookie sheet will also work. However, it is important to note that as it bakes, polymer clay will take on the texture of whatever surface it is touching. So if the clay is touching a smooth surface like glass, metal, or glazed ceramic tile, it will likely become smooth and shiny. If this is undesirable, you can put a piece of paper or cardboard under the clay.

Baking Beads

When curing polymer clay beads or other rounded items, you can preserve their shapes (and keep them from rolling around) by using one of a few tools.

Make an accordion-style folded piece of lightweight cardstock or cardboard. (Boxes used to package cereals work well for this. Simply cut to the appropriate size and shape, then fold back and forth.) Place the folded cardstock on a cookie sheet and put beads into the folds.
Make a "bed" for your beads. People have used a variety of things for this purpose-heat resistant quilt batting/polyfill or diatomaceous earth, baking soda, and other powders covered with tissue. The bed should provide even support that conforms to the shape of your beads.
Make (or purchase) a baking rack. There are different ways to do this. The basic idea is to have something like a cookie sheet (or a wooden frame) with evenly placed notches on two parallel sides of the pan. Skewers (or wires) that fit into these notches can then be filled with beads for curing. The beads are suspended and touch nothing but the skewers, so there's no worry over flattened spots.