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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: BassDetective on 05/15/12 10:42 UTC

Title: Heating 16 oz plastic in microwave - Troubleshooting
Post by: BassDetective on 05/15/12 10:42 UTC
Anyone here heat this much plastic at once in a microwave?  I am having some issues getting the interior plastic to heat without overheating the exterior (closest to the glass).  Here is the process I was using:

1.  1100 micro with turntable
2.  Heat for 3 min on power level 6 - results in 210 ish no gel at this stage
3.  Heat additional 90 seconds on power level 7 results in mostly gel with some liquid plastic
4.  Heat additional 60 seconds on power level 8 results in mostly liquid plastic but gel in the middle - plastic temp around 330 f
5.  Heat an additional 30 seconds and it turns yellow

Based on others experiences it seems like it takes a long time to heat but I wonder if that is just too much plastic for the microwave unless I stay low on the setting and go longer.
Title: Re: Heating 16 oz plastic in microwave - Troubleshooting
Post by: bribass on 05/15/12 11:03 UTC
U should have no problem!!

I have heated 4 cups (32 ounces) in a micro no problem...

The more liquid the longer it will take you. What I do is 60-70 Second increments and stirring in between each time. You should have no problem at all.
Title: Re: Heating 16 oz plastic in microwave - Troubleshooting
Post by: Jason on 05/15/12 11:20 UTC
This may deserve a new thread, but I will post it here also.  We recently added an additional stabilizer to our formula that will help with this also.  With the new stabilizer blend you should be able to put 16 oz (2 cups) in an 1100 watt microwave and heat it for aprox. 3 - 4 min (depends on your specific microwave), without stirring and it come out fine.  I can't guarantee this, but on the microwave I was testing on we were able to do this at 100% power, no extra stabilizer, no problems at all.  You may have to tweak your power settings some, but for most I think it will work no problem. 

On reheats of this size I would consider adding some stabilizer, you'll have to experiment a little with your microwave.

The additional stabilizer was actually added to help with humidity in the Summer, this was an unexpected, but pleasant surprise.

Jason
Title: Re: Heating 16 oz plastic in microwave - Troubleshooting
Post by: MicroSpoons on 05/15/12 11:42 UTC
right now I am cooking 8 cups (2 4 cup batches) my first round goes 10 min. then I stir a little and go another 5 and stir. then go 2 min then another 2 and the are done. On large batches you will have to stir a bit. not a lot but enough to spread the gelled with the uncooked. I use a 900 watt.
Title: Re: Heating 16 oz plastic in microwave - Troubleshooting
Post by: kipbass on 05/15/12 12:25 UTC
I know it may sound crazy, but I moved my micro to another outlet. I swear it was over heating my plastic on that particular leg, but I'm not an electrician..
Title: Re: Heating 16 oz plastic in microwave - Troubleshooting
Post by: pjmcla on 05/15/12 12:26 UTC
Well I feel like the small kid on the block; Again  :-[.  I never heat more than 12 oz. at a time and never more than 90 Seconds on the first cook cycle.  90 Seconds on a 6 oz. batch will come to 285 - 300 degrees.  Then on 12 oz I will go 45 seconds; or 25 sec. on 6 oz.; on the second heat.  After this - never more than 30 sec.  Stir on every cycle.   I us a 1,000 watt commercial grade Amana radar-range.