Air fryers are becoming more and more common these days due to their easy usage and the concept of healthy eating. Air fryers are thought to be mini ovens that can do almost everything an oven can do.
And so is baking the polymer clay in it. They are becoming so popular among artistic people because there is so much you can do with them.
People who have been using polymer clay or are beginners have always got one question in mind about the best and easiest way to dry out their projects, and air fryers are becoming an answer to this question for most people.
While using an air fryer, it is very important to ensure the accuracy of the temperature because it all depends on the temperature handling.
Most air fryers do not come with temperature settings, so, you have to put a thermometer next to your project to ensure that it does not burn.
The conventional oven is a good instrument to bake your polymer clay but there are a few other options too that can be used as a substitute and an air fryer is the most questioned one.
Let’s figure out in detail if we can bake Polymer Clay in an air fryer.
What is Polymer Clay?
Polymer clay is a synthetic modelling clay made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
It is made of plastic and has a long lifespan. One of the wonderful properties of polymer clay is its resistance to water. It can be re-moulded repeatedly until it is baked, making it a versatile crafting medium.
What is Polymer Clay best used for?
If you are an artistic person, then I must say that the sky is the limit for you. There is so much you can make with polymer clay but you must know how to handle your projects.
You can do scrapbooking, make sculptures out of it, make jewelry, create decorative items for your house, or you can even make pottery items.
Drying out polymer clay has always been a difficult thing for crafters. Now that there are so many options for this purpose the task is somewhat more confusing.
Polymer clay users often advocate that air fryer baking is one of the most convenient ways to make your projects firm but what if you cannot handle the temperature appropriately and end up burring it entirely?
I always recommend doing what makes you comfortable with your projects. After all, it is your hard work that is at stake at the last moment.
How do you harden Polymer Clay without an oven?
You can harden Polymer Clay by using any heating tool.
Beginners always think of air-dry polymer clay to save themselves from the heartbreak of a burnt project. Sorry to break that bubble, but it is not going to happen.
Air drying is not an option to harden the polymer clay. You have to use heat for the purpose.
If you are not a big fan of an oven or you are just scared to use them, you always have an option of an air fryer. But in case you are not willing to bake polymer clay in an air fryer, too, then you can go for a hair dryer or a heat gun.
Some heat embossing tools can help you harden your polymer clay too.
How long does it take to bake Polymer Clay?
Polymer clay is an amazing invention for crafting products without getting the projects cracked. All you have to do, for successful manufacturing, is to choose how to bake it, at what temperature, and for how long.
An average amount of time polymer clay baking takes is 30 minutes but this is not something written over stone. It all depends on what gadget you are using, its brand, and the temperature setting.
For an oven, 30 minutes are enough with the temperature setting ranging from 210° F to 300° F.
You can always experiment with the temperature when using an air fryer, just keep a thermometer alongside your project for caution.
A thin layer of polymer clay can be dried out in 15 minutes and you can make a mark on it from your figure nail but the mark may go away with time.
So, the brand of your machine, the thickness of your clay, and the machine that is being used for drying will determine the time length of your drying-out period.
I feel this drying part is the hardest among everything done in the process of clay making.
One thing that you must keep in mind is every clay brand takes its own time and temperature to reach perfection. Here is a table for your guidance.
| Brand Name | Baking Time (for every 6 mm) | Temperature |
| Fimo clay | 30 minutes | 230°F |
| Kato Polyclay | 30 minutes | 275°F |
| Fimo Liquid | 20 minutes | 265°F |
| Clayzee | 15 minutes | 248-302°F |
| Puffy | 15 minutes | 275°F |
Which is the best way to bake Polymer Clay?
Well, the best way is the traditional way, baking the polymer clay in the oven for approximately 30 minutes.
But we all can agree here that not everyone is a pro at using an oven and we often try to avoid using it. For people like these, there is always an option of an air fryer- the mini oven lying over your countertop.
You do need to be extra careful with the temperature handling, other than that, you are good to go.
Check out this video to see how can you bake polymer clay in the best way.
Can you bake Polymer Clay in the microwave?
While an air fryer isn’t the best option for baking polymer clay, it can be used when you don’t have access to an oven.
However, baking polymer clay in a microwave should never be attempted. Microwaves distribute heat unevenly, making temperature control nearly impossible while cooking.
Attempting to bake a clay project in the microwave will result in a burned or unevenly baked project. Avoid the disappointment of a ruined project by baking in your oven or toaster oven.
Summary
Polymer clay is the love of people who like crafting and how to bake it conveniently is always a concern for beginners especially.
The article is all about how you can bake polymer clay, how long you can bake it all everything that you need to know.
- Polymer clay can be used to make almost everything, and From jewelry to sculptures, you name it.
- While ovens are considered the safest and better way to dry polymer clay, people are now switching to air fryers for quicker results.
- Air fryers give good and quick results but due to a lack of temperature settings, projects often get burned out.
- If you are using an air fryer for baking your polymer clay, be more cautious with the temperature settings.
- It takes 15 to 30 minutes for polymer clay to bake, it all depends on the thickness of the clay. If the clay is thin, it will dry quickly and the thicker clay will take longer to dry.
- Using polymer clay is an art and handling it while baking is something an artist can do only. It takes practice and dedication to master this art as well.