One of the newer toys in our lab is a microwave kiln. A microwave kiln is a device which you place in a conventional microwave and it acts like a kiln. Microwaves kilns are commercially available from various places on the internet.
It is composed of a porous ceramic body (likely alumina) with a ring or inside coating of high temperature susceptor material (the black colored material). Susceptor materials are materials that absorb microwave energy (like water, fats, oils, etc). There are a wide variety of susceptor materials some of which reach very high temperatures -> 1800 degs F. These materials are generally a patented or trade secret material combination – think graphite, magnetite, and/or various iron oxides.
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There propose along with the microwave oven is the bring the fired item in the kiln to high temperature in a short period of time (think 6-12 minutes).
We purchased one of these toys and have been exploring its usefulness.
We are using a standard 1000 watt home microwave. We placed a fun-u-factured flower into the microwave kiln. Closed the door. Set the timer on 9 minutes. We pressed start….
{Note the glow from the inside.}
Microwave kilns and microwave kiln processing of glass and ceramics have been around for over twenty years (thus its really not a new technology). The availability of low cost ($75-$175) microwave kilns has only happened in the last couple of years. We have found that there is quite a bit of variability in the results (there are some issues in getting repeatable results).
Lastly, we encourage you to try these out as they are reasonable in cost and may have a place in your lab/studio. We caution you to read and follow ALL of the manufacturers instructions. Happy cooking!
I picked up a microwave kiln for $99 last fall – and had tons of fun violating all of the rules of glass…with help. To begin with, I have a 1200 watt microwave, and I also bought a fair amount of kiln paper in various thicknesses. I was able to create 1/2″ glass pieces that were fully fused within cut-outs formed from the kiln paper/padding, but stopped after only a couple weeks once I realized (after more online research) that the burn off from my microwave kiln might add itself to my food since I was using the same microwave for both.
I do want to utilize the microwave kiln, and it works, but I’m holding off on any additional experiments until I pick up a microwave from goodwill that I can devote solely to glass fusing. I would advise that you do the same. That being said, “power” is not the big thing, I actually had to step mine down, as anything over 1000 watts, at least with the microwave kiln I purchased, actually seemed to be detrimental to the process.
The cooling/annealing process is also less clear with microwave kilns. Upon removing the microwave kiln from the oven, I would place it on a “bed” of 2 bricks, and place a 3rd over the hole in the top – then leave it overnight. Not exactly the annealing process as outlined in your standard glass books – but I’ve dropped some of the pendants I made, and they haven’t even chipped.
Dawn, you REALLY never want to share/reuse anything that you use for food. We’re glad to hear some success stories for microwave-kilns. It has been iffy at best for us. Perhaps we shouldn’t have purchase a re-furbished microwave. You could use a fiberfrax blanket to cover your microwave kiln to slow down cooling and aid in annealing (although annealing has set temperature/time schedules). If you are using borosilicate glass, annealing may not be such a big issue (especially if you pieces are thin).
psst. it’s spelled susceptor.
why is there a big hole in the top? to let out all the heat?
Fenn, thanks for pointing that out. I think the spelling checker didn’t like susceptor and suggested suspector (as perhaps an evil villain).
As for the hole in the top, it’s a commercially sold device. Hmm? Letting out all the heat (you say)? Seems very likely. If one is processing glass, once the glass is above red glow, it starts to become conductive (thus becomes its own heating device) and thus heat loss may not be as big of an issue. Our biggest issue with the device is the inconsistency of the results.
We have melted the rotating glass tray to the floor of the microwave (which was pretty interesting). Thanks for the assist.
The hole in the top is likely to let pressure and gasses escape from the small enclosure. Ever put a whole egg in the microwave?
[…] such as sugar, ceramic, and glass. Take a look through their archives. We found the post on microwave kilns interesting, as well as the writeup about Shapeways glass printing which is seen above. We’ve […]
The hole in the top is for allowing air, steam and vapours to escape and to allow air back in when it cools down. Quantum physics teaches us that this small hole releases only very little heat.
Maggy, thanks for the info.
Smooth metal in a microwave is not a real issue (sharp or thin pieces of metal produces problems including wire). If you are looking for entertainment, check the web for “interesting things in your microwave”. That being said, you could get two pieces of boro glass to
hot-tack state, open the microwave kiln and put the nichrome wire in the boro sandwhich.
Dear sir
shell we make microwave kiln to fuse glass?
Yes, we’ve been using the microwave kiln for fusing glass.
Can you use recycled glass bits, such ass broken green, brown and blue beer bottles?
Yes, you can use any type of glass. However, different glass bottles have different coefficients of thermal expansion which might make them incompatible with one another and cause cracking. You will need to do some testing.
I was wondering if anyone new of a really good home-made mix for the susceptor coating inside the microwave kiln at all?
Karla, we don’t have one off hand but I can tell you a mixture of graphite, magnetite, and silicone carbide seem to work.
More information here about microwave kilns: microwavekiln.wordpress,com
they’re a lot of fun!
Try YouTube video of a chap making his own kiln for £5 using fire cement and vermiculite… just started making mine using a cake tin covered in plastic bag and vaseline as a mould. Silicon carbide comes from lapidary suppliers. I am hoping to fuse glass for Jewellery making.
I just tried to use this kiln followed directions and after taking it out of the microwave the kiln paper was brown and none of the glass had melted at all. Tried doing it again and it did the same thing. What am I doing wrong?
try fusing for a little longer. i just got a microwave kiln and am having a fair bit of trouble with it in terms of some stuff doing exactly the same. ie0 nothing !! no fusing at all. i’m not sure why. i have a 700W but it was taking 15 minutes to fuse, but now its not really fusing…and the paper stays brown. not sure if i’ve broken the microwave. i noticed reactive bullseye glass did not seem to fuse.
Hi,
I am having the same trouble. Did you get an answer to why the paper is burning and the glass not fusing.
I set it for 2 minutes then 2 more minutes with or without checking and then 30 second increments checking for tacking, slumping or full firing. The first time I tried I saw the brown paper. Just microwave for longer worked for me.
can you put sterling silver or gold filled wire in with the glass to be fused?
Bonnie, perhaps, BUT there are issues with metals in the microwave (especially sharp, thin or
pointed pieces of metal as they tend to arc). Therefore, smooth pieces should be okay.
For fun there is a website dealing with “weird” things in the microwave to give guidance of
what NOT to do!
For those concerned about putting metal into a microwave. You’re actually putting this into a kiln where the microwaves are being efficiently absorbed by a susceptor. The other point to consider is that hot glass, by itself is a microwave susceptor. Once glass gets hot, it will absorb microwaves and can ultimately turn the glass red hot.
Since the top and bottom of these kilns appears to be susceptor free, there likely will be some microwave penetration, but little compared to putting a piece of wire into a microwave oven.
Doug
Thanks Doug and Ganter!
Does this mean that my microwave kiln is still good to use, even though the inside of the base where I put the kiln paper is blackened and it smells nasty when I try to use it?
Thanks for helping me. I’m a rookie at this if you couldn’t already tell.
Just don’t use it for food anymore! 😉
You should be fine.
Doug
I would not.
I have had success using a microwave kiln. I recently tried fusing an image with fusing paper in between two pieces of glass (I think sandwiching them in the beginning is where I went wrong). The glass broke and the bottom of my kiln is blackened and smells when I try to use it. Is it ruined? Can I fix it somehow?
Also, should I use a separate microwave than the one I use for food? The instructions say to clean it before/after use. Why is that? Is it fumes that risk contamination?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Sandie, microwaves are low in cost, please use a separate one. Get one from a thrift store.
You can make your own suseptor material (go searching both the web and patent databases).
Would a microwave kiln work to anneal the edge of a bracelet cut out from a wine bottle? Thanks Andrea
Andrea, please check some glass reference books for an annealing schedule of the appropriate thickness. Generally annealing is a combination of temperature and time.
I got a micro kiln for Christmas and have been doing very well with it. I think key is to play with scraps till you figure out the ideal time for your kiln/ microwave combo. Then, once you get that figured out, do not be afraid to experiment! My next experiment is going to be using a frit mold in the micro kiln….just as soon as Fed Ex drops the thing off! *notsopatientlywaiting*
I have used them for years in a $5. yard sale oven to test fused glass combinations and also to produce over 200 hundred pendants and earrings before the susceptor coating disintegrated.
Although I prefer to use glue on bails, I have fused wire into the glass with no problems at all.
On annealing, a single piece of glass size of a dime-quarter will anneal just fine in about 2.5-3 hrs. In a normal size kiln you have much more area that heats and cools differently from center to perimeter so annealing needs much more controlled cool down to insure consistency.
My microwave kiln works great but very fine pieces are coming off the bottom piece ,it appears to be made from Hebel material but not sure and I get a lot of dust in the microwave I do wear a mask but I’m concerned about health issues with the crumbling and the kiln paper. Any ideas please
Jenny, your kiln could be made of a WIDE variety of materials depending on the location of its manufacture. I would guess
that the dust is something to always take reasonable precautions. Kiln paper should be alumina (Al2O3) based again fine particles
are never good. Try coating the bottom of the kiln with refractory sealant. OR simply get a new microwave kiln as they are not
too expensive.
Wondering if anyone has any experience with using this type of kiln for small ceramic pieces versus glass? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry we haven’t tried firing clay. We did fire some rocks. The issue that I see is the susceptor material has a finite life. The proper firing schedule for clays/ceramics might be longer than the susceptor life.
Hey guys thanks for all the great tips when it comes to fusing glass in the microwave kilns. It is really cool to know you can fuse metal pieces into your glass in one of these microwave kilns and in general. I am trying to make my own kiln dirt cheap. At this very moment I am trying to find a good susceptor mix.
The materials I’m working with currently: Some black semi-shiney powder that came from burning the black tape found in a VHS video tape with a propane torch. I just did it in a used bread tin. The powder should be magnetite (and a bit of carbon left over from the burned out plastic tape).
Also I have a deep reddish powder extracted from a black plate found inside a lead-acid battery. I’m assuming its some kind of carbon(close to graphite)? mixed with an iron oxide. It was black at first until it touched water. I honestly don’t know what it is but I am careful not to get it on my hands or kicked up into the air. I rinsed it with water after crushing to obtain a fine powder.
Anyways! I put both powders in the microwave and ran a few tests with them placed on a slab of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC, a building material, highly insulating). The black “VHS tape” powder caught on fire with a clean burning flame and then glowed for a little bit while running the microwave but it started to cool down for some reason. When I opened the microwave though I scraped through the pile and the brick was glowing underneath which is a good sign. I was surprised the whole thing didn’t glow. The reddish powder did not glow and I didn’t add enough for form a pile as large as the magnetite.
If you read all this I hope it gave you some decent info to work with.
Now if anyone has any ideas for a cheap susceptor and any alternatives to silicon carbide, magnetite or graphite, please share it! It would be wonderful to have more info. Thanks.
You need to use the proper susceptor materials. They really aren’t that expensive or hard to obtain.
I disagree, many materials are susceptors and there is nothing wrong with creating your own from waste materials. Very green.
Thanks for the encouragement Rip! I’d find it hard to believe that there are only a few available useful susceptors. With everything I do I like finding the most affordable/efficient methods that I possibly can so that I can spread those ideas around to other people and help them be a bit more free.
Not that graphite/silicon carbide/magnetite aren’t affordable but how low can we go (in $) and if I wanted to make something fast and I didn’t have those raw materials in my area what else could I use or where could I obtain them in non-conventional but readily obtainable ways? 🙂 I think those are good questions to ask especially since 2/3 of the world is poor and I for one love to spread useful information that builds up. I’m just passionate about that, not trying to brag or pick at anyone.
-Colin
Hi, I bought one online and it arrived today and I couldn’t wait to have a play. I’m very disappointed tho as its not working 🙁 I see the glow after about 2 minutes so I lifted the lid just to have a quick look (as I’ve seen them do on videos) Anyway it isn’t the glass that’s glowing, there’s a patch on the wall, about an inch in size that’s glowing, I can even see the glow on the outside of the kiln. Does this mean I have a dodgy kiln?
Tracey, our experience is that you can see glowing outside. We had more than a small spot glowing. Glass will
heat itself via microwave once it gets above a certain temperature (basically the microwave kiln just gets the glass
up to temperature and then the glass can heat itself). Yes, you may have a dodgy kiln. We have seen variable
performance based on cost. Good luck and keep us posted.
Sorry to hear that. Do you know the wattage of your microwave? Knowing the wattage tends to give you an idea of the power of the microwave. Maybe check to see what wattage of microwave the manufacturer recomends for the kiln? If you know your microwave is plenty powerfull then I would doubt it is a lack of heating power then. Also if I were you I would consider getting some silicon carbide powder and some graphite powder online, mixing the two together with water and suger (using the suger to make a sticky paste) or something else to bond them together and then painting that mixture on the walls of the kiln. Let it dry before firing if you do this. Maybe it will give it the boost it needs?
if bottom of my micro kiln is burned brown, (from using the wrong fiber paper) and I scrape most of it off, but a brown stain remains, can I cover it up with repair receptor, or do I have to scrape down more? I’m afraid I’ll have to scrape so much, most of the ledge will disappear, in order to get it all back to white, so that’s why I’m asking if I can spread repair receptor on it while still stained a little brown. Thanks1
We use our microwave to melt glass does anyone know if the ordor toxic?
Kathy, I have no way of knowing the source of the smell. I would alway employ
a good ventilation system (similar to what is common over electric kilns).
Melting glass in a microwave should be similar to melting glass in kiln. However,
the microwave method may stress the microwave itself (and cause unknown chemistry
to happen).
I melt Murano glass and it gives off an odor no matter how I melt it and it is indeed so toxic you can become overcome by it and I did once when in the class where I learned and the window was not opened as taught. I ventilate the area around the microwave and try to avoid the smell with open windows and fan. I have other kilns and I love this one. It was only 20.00 or so. I use the same paper that I use for my other kilns and it works great.
You can use plaster of paris to make your mold.
just a quick question from a newbie. after i have it “fired up” (The middle circle is red) I am still suppose to heat it more for the fuse correct? The red circle just tells me it made it to cooking temp?
you will need to experiment. each microwave is different. each microwave kiln is different. Try several tests and KEEP GOOD NOTES.
is there any radiation safety issues with such product?
thank you,
mike
Mike, none that I know of. You put the whole unit in the microwave, close the door, and then microwave. When finished, you open the door and remove the kiln with your hot gloves (i.e. leather gloves). It will be glowing hot!
Hi Guys, I’m completely new to glass fusing. I have recently bought myself the larger of the microwave kilns. Can anyone tell me the time frames for fusing in the larger kiln. I started off with 3 minutes and then probably added another minute 3 times. There was a slight glow coming out of the top of the kiln, but the glass was by no means red hot. Paranoia snuck in and I stopped the fusing. Are there any rules around the maximum timeframe for having a kiln in the microwave. One of the first comments suggested between 6 to 12 minutes. Any help would be appreciated. cheers!
Masphil, best I can say is keep a good notebook (including brand and color of glass). Some information to note, glass becomes electrically conductive about the time it turns cherry red which means it will start self-heating. Look for videos of glass in a microwave online — you will be shocked.
Thanks Ganter. Sounds like good advice. cheers.
Hi,
I am Suzette and I am from South Africa. We moved to a farm recently and I started a recycling project. So I started looking at melting glass from all the old beer bottles, lying around. In trying to obtain a kiln here….. chances were zero. I have to import. So now we are improvising as we go along. Also to get materials like silicone carbite and magnetite/graphite is very frustrating. What else can you reccommend.
If you are willing to stay with small projects, then a microwave kiln will work fine. However, it might be easier to construct a traditional kiln with bricks and an electric filament/wire.
I use a second hand microwave and I use a respirator mask when I fuse my glass along with a fan. There are slight fumes coming from the kiln so I would rather be safe than sorry with my health. I experimented with different types of glass and I have found the best firing times are between four and six minutes at a time. I don’t go over six minutes as I have been advised that it may ruin the microwave. I have come up with some very stunning pieces doing it this way. I advise anyone that is fusing to wear a respirator mask. They can be bought for around $30 at any hardware store. Safety first!
So when I was using my kiln something caught fire inside and the top part of the kiln was burnt. (It’s covered in black stuff) I wanted to know if my kiln will still work fine…
Barb, google microwave kiln materials or diy microwave kiln to learn about microwave susceptor materials. Carbon is in the list. I would say try it to see if it works.
[…] the exact susceptor material can differ. But most of these materials can reach temperatures up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit or 1000 degrees […]
Hi,
Hope you can help. I dropped the bottom half of my microwave kiln into a sink of water. It is taking ages to dry out (2 days so far). Do you happen to know if it would be safe to use whilst it is still damp? Long shot I know but maybe this has happened to someone else! Many thanks, Louise
let it dry out. Put it in an oven or regular kiln at low temp to dry it out (~200 F).
Can anybody help me? I have the large microwave kiln and recently I bought a new microwave. This is a 1050 watts, .7 cu. Ft. I really like it because it is a compact microwave BUT the room inside also is small. With the kiln inside, would be a space of 2″ on each side and 3″ from the top approximately. Can this be a problem for the kiln or the microwave?
should be fine.
Any info on fiber paper, please? Composition, alternatives, home made?
Thanks
Josep, no sorry. Yes it’s expensive but I haven’t heard of any DIY versions.
@Colin M: I hope you’re still monitoring this thread. I am just beginning to explore readily obtainable and inexpensive kiln materials for the refractory and the susceptor. I’d very much like to hear more about your experiments. If you’re still out there please respond to toms.glassware@sbcglobal.net. Thanks.
Tom, sadly we haven’t done much with the microwave kilns or susceptor materials as of late. We
have been busy on other projects.
Tom G, I use an 1100W microwave to melt small amounts of silver and brass. I made my “kiln” by making a cylinder from castable refractory and I lined it with a 5mm thick mixture of Fireclay as a binder, coarse grog (crushed firebrick) as reinforcing, and black mortar colorant (Iron oxide) as a receptor. (ratio 1:3:3) This melts brass at 1160 degrees C. To minimise heat loss, I surrounded the cylinder with insulating kiln fibre. There is a limit to how big this type of “kiln” can be,as the castable refractory absorbs heat from the receptor and becomes a thermal “sink”
Mark, sounds like a lot of fun
Can you use memory wire in the microwave kiln
microwaves have troubles with thin or sharp metals, thus I don’t think it would be a good idea.
I am interested in making jewelry out of sterling silver and gold through the lost wax casting process, would a microwave kiln be a good investment or should I just spring for a vacuum induction machine. I want to get my begginers start up at a reasonable or low price; but, not if it means I will just have to buy more replacement equipment shortly after starting and outgrowing the initial set up.
FYI TOXIC FUMES ARE EMITTED FROM MICROWAVE AND IT SHOULD NEVER BE USED INDOORS W/OUT VENTING OR FOR FOOD AFTER USE W/ THE KILN. PLEASE SEE http://www.gofusing.com/blog/h.....ave-kilns/
you will not likely be able to melt sterling or gold in a microwave kiln.
Also, there are the issues of keeping your melted metals clean of impurities
and oxygen. Go for real equipment.
Someone ask about the firing schedule. My Microwave is 1100 watts, which I have read you should use 1000 for extra large Microwave kilns. I use coe 90 and wine bottles. I start everything at 50% for 5 minutes. Then I go to 70% for 3 min, from there I go to full power for 1,2,3 min. depending on what I am fireing.
If I am firing Dichoric I don’t go to power 10.
Another note, the paper almost always turns brown and smells after 5 minutes. Then it will turn back to white. Good luck, I have made over 100 pendants since Feb.
5
Have just purchased a Fuseworks microwave kiln. Followed instructions for pre-firing by disabling rotation of tray. Want to try 1st piece but my question is: do I use microwave with tray rotating or not rotating???
Please advise!! Many thanks
If you use the glass tray, then there is the possibility that it will crack (due to thermal load).
Is it safe to use same microwave for warming up food after using microwaveable kiln in it?
no. I wouldn’t use that microwave for food.