heating element question

[jasonh]

So here are a couple i am looking at the first one not as accurate i dont think but may be more proficient? http://www.amazon.com/Waring-SB30-1300-Watt-Portable-Single/dp/B000I14C7I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386438321&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+burner
Second one i think may be more accurate and detailed but am not sure about the induction part of it or does that even matter?
http://www.amazon.com/Burton-6200-1800-Watt-Induction-Cooktop/dp/B0037Z7HQK/ref=sr_1_31?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1386438517&sr=1-31&keywords=digital+burner
Or am I over thinking all this...lol!
Only reason I am thinking these options is because I wont know really how long or how short to heat plastic as a newbie plus I am a bit detail oriented...... and ocd and probably like most on here lol.....

[Jerry V]

I pretty much only heat with the microwave, don't have much experience with "cook tops" or "hot pots" when it comes to plastic.  Ctom or some of these other gentlemen who have experience on that side will likely have the quality info you're looking for.

[MO QWACK]

To be honest if I was trying to learn the art-o-plastic a microwave is the only way I would go to start. Temp is the key and with the micro you can bumb up the temp slowly by just adding 10 seconds or so. With a hot plate the plastic gets much hotter the faster you take plastic out of the pot. To cold no big deal, to hot and you have messed up the whole shooting match

[ctom]

To begin? Microwave of 800 to 1000 watts. Invest in and learn to use stabilizer and do not "guess" at what the temperature is, get the thermometer advertised in the plastic accessories are in the Do-It catalog/store. Secondly, don't jump right into large batches. Keep your batching in the 4 ounce range until you are VERY familiar with how the plastic cooks and shoots. Small batching is easier to learn how colorants and hi lite/ pearl works with the plastic too. Buy a spiral notebook and keep it right on your work area so you can make and take notes on every aspect of every batch and you'll soon look at that notebook like its made of gold.

Take your time, stay focused in a work area that is quiet and not going to have distractions. Baby steps. Many, many baby steps.

[kipbass]

I agree with Mo. Buy a microwave.  I started with a single burner and a small pot, it was a hassle. But I only had one hand pour mold back then. Boy this is bringing back memories.  Lol.