Microwave wattage

[Obie]

Having trouble melting my left over plastic I can melt small amounts but when I try to melt over a cup I have some plastic that allways stays thicker and plugs up my injector.  Thought it might be my microwave just have small 800 watt one which works but only for the small amounts.

[BassDetective]

I had the same issue.  I used an 1100 watt and it made a big difference.  I am not sure if the wattage is the issue or the quality.  It does seem the larger units do better

[ctom]

Look at wattage like horsepower. A locomotive pulling 30 filled cars can go from A to B in a specific length of time IF the train doesn't encounter any hills.  A locomotive with 1100 horsepower can pull the same 30 filled cars in way less time and if the train encounters some hills, no sweat. That 1100 watt micro will do about twice what the 800 watt lil brother can do and in less time.

I do remelts all the time in my 1100 watt unit. I add about 1/8 cup of raw plastic and some stabilizer to the raw, then add the scrap plastic which I dice mine up with some shop shears. In a minute I have plastic ready to go.

I bought a new, GE, microwave for just this purpose for right around a c-note.

[Obie]

Thanks guys p/u a 1100 watt micro and made a big diffrence.

[kipbass]

I think it might be "luck of the draw" if buying from a big chain discount store. One of the cheap ones might work better than the next one on the shelf. Could be how many times it was dropped while shipping or stocking too LOL...I bought a $40 nuker, 800 watts I think, and it works fine.

[romeo d]

I have an 800 watt micro and have no problems melting 2 cups of old plastic.  Are you stirring it between the melting cycle?  If I do 2 cups of old plastic, I usually heat for 2-3 minutes then stir carefully (the bottom could be hot and can build up pressure under the layer of unmelted plastic on top) then micro in 1 minute to 30 second increments depending on how much more I think it needs to be heated.  If you continue to have issues, cutting your old plastic in smaller pieces will help in the melting.  Also, is your microwave turntable spinning?  That could prevent an even heating.

[ctom]

jason and others have brought up adding some raw plastic to the cup then add your chopped up plastic for re-melts. Good advice there. The raw plastic heats hotter faster than the solid plastic and will help you incorporate the re-melt into a fresh batch. You don't need a ton of raw plastic, just enough to help things along. Half the time I don't need to add anything to adjust or bring the original color back around.

[matt]

it is not the mic it is the temp needs to 350 to 340 after that it will get thick clog the injector i have a temp gun  harbor freight you can get one 29.95 it works good

[Obie]

Plastic temp was 350 but was not heating evenly just got a 1100 watt micro and have had no problems.  Might not be the wattage maybe its just a better qaulity micro.

[Dave]

You get what you pay for when it comes to a microwave!