Microwave for cooking plastic

[walleyetracker85]

Hey guys I am brand new to plastic making! Just wondering if a 1,000 watt microwave is big enough? Anybody care to share what microwave they use? Thanks for the help guys

[Justin9j]

Yard sale one   Lower watts just takes longer

[DF]

 I use a small low wattage microwave that a friend gave me when he was moving and it works fine. Any microwave should work, just be sure to check your temps often and you should be good. That being said a more expensive unit may heat faster and more evenly.

[ctom]

900 to 1100 watts is fine and as mentioned its just a matter of time and learning what length for what volume.

I cut a piece of corrugated cardboard the same size as the tray in the unit and cook everything off it. The cardboard will help eliminate any hot spots from developing between the glass tray and a glass cup.

[walleyetracker85]

Thanks for the replies so far guys! Keep them coming

[efishnc]

Mine is a 700 watt... and believe me, you can still burn your plastic on low power if you are not paying attention. 

[BareKnuckleJigs]

I stay away from the microwave.  I use an electric burner and a thick-bottomed stainless pot.  Far Superior to a microwave, IMO.

[efishnc]

I stay away from the microwave.  I use an electric burner and a thick-bottomed stainless pot.  Far Superior to a microwave, IMO.

Next time out in the garage (after finals) I plan to try the hot plate as you recommend... but my question to you is this: do you put re-melts (aka solid plastic) directly on the hot plate or do you nuke that first to get it liquid again?

[BareKnuckleJigs]

eFish, I use an Electric Burner (probably not a Hot Plate, aka Electric Skillet) with a Stainless Steel 1-quart Saucepan/Pot with a thick bottom.  My Electric Burner is basicly 25% of an electric stove/stove top, coil-style element.  If I was on a PC I'd go to Amazon and post links of the pieces I use.  I can have a new Burner and Pot, exactly as I have now, shipped to my door for about $41 and change, from Amazon.

I bought a Hot Plate for this thing once...it hit the lawn the 1st time I turned it on.

In my trusty Pot on the Burner, I toss in my cut-up scraps, stabilizer, softener if any...any colorant and HDA goes in after melting...I let it heat up then I start pushing the mass with the stirrer.  If I had a camcorder I'd video my method.  Microwave has no place on my bench.

It may have been Justin9 that turned my attention to a Pot 'n Burner...I think he uses a Cast Iron Pot.  I fought through many Issues when I started, and I started with a microwave...I've been there, too...and what I know now, is why I advocate what I advocate...man, Yawl need to try this.

It's simple, cheap, safe, space-saver, holds heat very well, easily adds more heat to a cooling mix, avoids heat spikes possible with microwaves...lots of Pro's.

[efishnc]

Thanks for the additional knowledge... now I need to make a trip to goodwill for a smaller pot.