Are Microwave Kilns Good?
A microwave kiln is a small, portable kiln that is designed to be used in a standard household microwave oven. Microwave kilns allow artists, crafters, and hobbyists to fuse and slump glass, fire metal clay, and perform certain other heat processes using a regular microwave.
Microwave kilns are typically made of fiber blanket insulation and ceramics. They contain the heat produced by the microwave and protect the microwave oven itself from excessive temperatures. A pyrometer is used to monitor the internal temperature of the kiln during firing.
Unlike traditional kilns which use external heating elements, microwave kilns utilize the electromagnetic energy generated by the magnetron inside a microwave oven. This allows them to quickly reach the high temperatures needed for processes like glass fusing while taking up far less space than a conventional kiln.
Microwave kilns provide an affordable, convenient option for small studios and hobbyists to perform specialty heating tasks. Their small footprint and ease of use makes them accessible to crafters who may not otherwise have the space or budget for a large, traditional kiln.
How Microwave Kilns Work
Microwave kilns use microwave energy to rapidly heat and fire ceramics, fuse glass, and more. They work by generating high-frequency electromagnetic waves that cause polar molecules like water to rotate back and forth quickly, creating kinetic molecular friction that heats the material.
The kiln contains an internal microwave antenna that focuses the microwaves into the chamber. The walls are lined with thermal insulation to retain the heat. There is also a lid or ceiling made of a microwave susceptor material, typically a silicon carbide matrix mesh that absorbs microwave energy and becomes red-hot, heating the kiln chamber via thermal radiation.
Placing ceramics or glass inside the kiln allows the material to efficiently absorb the microwave energy. The rapid heating from the microwaves and radiant heat from the susceptor lid quickly brings the temperature up to the level needed for firing clay, fusing glass, enameling, metal clay sintering, and other processes. Microwave kilns can fire to over 2000°F in just 5-10 minutes.
Microwave kilns heat from the inside-out, unlike traditional kilns which heat the surface first. This allows microwave kilns to work faster while minimizing thermal shock. The small size combined with rapid internal heating makes microwave kilns ideal for testing glazes, enamels, glass fusing, and other prototyping applications.
Advantages of Microwave Kilns
Microwave kilns offer some key advantages compared to traditional electric kilns, making them a popular choice for glass fusers, jewelry makers, and other artists working in small batches. The main benefits of microwave kilns are:
Faster firing/fusing times – Microwave kilns can fire glass in just a few minutes, while electric kilns may take hours. This allows artists to complete projects much more quickly.[1]
More energy efficient – Microwaves directly heat the glass or clay, rather than slowly heating the air inside the chamber. This focused energy allows microwave kilns to fuse projects using around 1/10th the electricity of a traditional kiln.[2]
Smaller footprint – Microwave kilns are compact in size, often fitting onto a countertop. This makes them ideal for small home studios or anyone lacking space for a large, dedicated kiln room.
[1] https://www.glacialartglass.com/blogs/tips-and-tutorials/blog-everything-you-need-to-know-before-buying-a-microwave-kiln
[2] https://chatterglass.wordpress.com/2016/10/24/secrets-of-the-microwave-kiln/
Disadvantages of Microwave Kilns
While microwave kilns provide some advantages in terms of speed and convenience, they also come with some notable downsides compared to traditional kilns. Some of the main disadvantages of microwave kilns include:
Less control over results – Because microwave kilns heat glass so quickly, there is less time to control the heating process. This can lead to uneven heating, cracks, or scorching. With a traditional kiln, the slow ramp up in temperature allows more careful monitoring and control. According to Glacial Art Glass, the fast heating of microwave kilns often leads to ugly black specks and scorch marks on finished pieces.
Size limitations – Microwave kilns are restricted in the amount of glass they can hold compared to traditional kilns. Most microwave kilns max out at around 1 cubic foot, while traditional kilns can hold multiple cubic feet of projects. This limits the scale and scope of projects. As noted by Chatter Glass, microwave kilns work best for jewelry, small plates, and other miniature projects.
Safety concerns – The intense radiation inside a microwave kiln raises safety issues. Proper microwave kiln safety gear like goggles and gloves are a must. There are also risks of electrical shorts, thermal runaway, and fires if the kiln malfunctions. With traditional kilns, the heating elements are shielded. Microwave radiation can be dangerous if safety rules aren’t followed.
Microwave Kiln Safety
When using a microwave kiln, it’s important to follow proper safety guidelines to avoid potential hazards.
According to Soul Ceramics, you should consider the safety aspects before purchasing and using a microwave kiln. Proper ventilation is critical, as the process can produce fumes. Operate the kiln in a well-ventilated area or outside. It’s also important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
As noted by Glacial Art Glass, never touch any part of the hot kiln with bare hands. Use proper protective gear like heat-resistant gloves and safety glasses. The extremely high temperatures involved can cause severe burns.
Always place the kiln on a heat-resistant surface since the base can get hot. Don’t overfill the kiln, as overflowing material can lead to sparks or fires. Allow proper cooling time before removing items from the kiln.
With safe usage practices, microwave kilns allow artists and hobbyists to fuse, slump, and cast glass, metal clay, and other materials in a relatively quick and affordable way.
Microwave vs Traditional Kilns
Microwave kilns and traditional kilns both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to features, performance, and results.
Some of the key differences between microwave and traditional kilns include:
- Temperature range – Traditional kilns can reach much higher temperatures, often over 1200°C, while microwave kilns max out around 900°C. This makes traditional kilns better for high fire ceramics and porcelain.
- Heating method – Microwave kilns use microwave energy to heat the clay or glass from the inside out. Traditional kilns heat the space inside the kiln using elements or gas burners.
- Speed – Microwave kilns can fire projects very quickly, often in just minutes. Traditional kilns take hours to complete a firing cycle.
- Consistency – Traditional kilns tend to have more even, consistent heating. Microwave kilns can have hot and cold spots which leads to uneven results.
- Size – Traditional kilns are available in much larger sizes than microwave kilns, allowing for bigger projects. Microwave kilns max out around 9″ x 9″ x 8″.
- Cost – Microwave kilns are significantly less expensive than traditional kilns, both in upfront cost and operating costs.
- Lifespan – A quality traditional kiln can last for decades with proper care. Microwave kilns generally wear out after 2-5 years.
In summary, microwave kilns offer speed and affordability while traditional kilns provide higher temperatures, more consistency, and greater durability for serious ceramic work. Microwave kilns are best for small projects using glass or low-fire clays.
Best Uses for Microwave Kilns
Microwave kilns are best suited for firing small pieces that require fast turnaround times. Here are some of the top uses for microwave kilns:
Fusing glass – Microwave kilns can quickly fuse glass in a matter of minutes. The fast ramp up and cool down times make microwave kilns ideal for fusing small glass pieces [1].
Testing glazes and lusters – Ceramic artists can quickly test low-fire glazes, lusters, china paints, and enamels in a microwave kiln. The fast firing times allow for multiple tests in one day [2].
Small bisqueware – Greenware and unfired ceramics that are under 2 inches thick can be bisque fired in a microwave kiln. The super fast ramp up and cool down can have your bisqueware ready in under an hour [1].
Jewelry and small sculptures – Precious metal clay, art clay silver and copper, and small jewelry pieces can be fired quickly in a microwave kiln. Small sculptures made from polymer clay can also be cured in a microwave kiln for fast results.
Microwave Kiln Brands
There are a few leading manufacturers that produce popular models of microwave kilns. According to Ceramic Arts Network, the main brands of microwave kilns are MicroKiln, MagicFuse, and Fuseworks.
MicroKiln is one of the most well-known brands and produces kilns in a variety of sizes to accommodate small to large projects. Their kilns allow precise temperature control up to 2300°F. Popular MicroKiln models include the XL, XXL, and XXXL which offer interior capacities ranging from 7 ounces to 96 ounces.
MagicFuse specializes in smaller tabletop kilns good for testing glazes and fusing small jewelry pieces. Their kiln sizes range from 4 ounces to 32 ounces capacity. The MagicFuse Personal is one of their best-selling compact models.
Fuseworks offers both small and large kilns. Their Fuseworks Little Fuser is a portable mini kiln while the Fuseworks Big Fuser provides more space for larger projects. Fuseworks kilns deliver consistent results and have safety features built-in.
When choosing a microwave kiln brand, experts recommend considering your project size needs, desired features, and overall ease of use. The top brands and models are known for their quality construction and reliable performance.
Cost of Microwave Kilns
The price range for microwave kilns can vary greatly depending on the size and features. Small countertop microwave kilns for hobbyists start around $150-$250, while larger kilns with more power and features can cost $500 or more. Some industrial-grade kilns designed for production studios can cost over $1000.
Microwave kilns can save on operating costs compared to traditional electric kilns. They use less electricity and don’t require continual heating elements drawing power when not in use. However, microwave kilns do require purchasing special microwave-safe shelves, posts, and kiln paper. These supplies need to be replaced periodically as they degrade over time.
Overall, microwave kilns represent an affordable, energy-efficient option for small studios and hobbyists looking to fuse glass or fire clay and ceramics. Though the upfront cost is higher than a regular microwave, their long term savings on electricity and efficiency can make them a wise investment.
Conclusion
In summary, microwave kilns have both advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional kilns. On the plus side, microwave kilns are much faster, more energy-efficient, and easier to use than traditional kilns. They heat up rapidly, can achieve very high temperatures, and allow for fast firing cycles. They are also more compact and portable. On the negative side, microwave kilns have smaller capacities, can only be used for small projects, and are generally more expensive than traditional kilns.
For hobbyists and artists who want to fire smaller pieces, test new glazes frequently, or need fast turnaround, a microwave kiln can be a great option. The speed and convenience allows for lots of experimentation. However, for larger production volumes or bigger pieces, a traditional kiln is still preferable. Microwave kilns also require care and safety precautions due to the exposure to microwaves.
Overall, microwave kilns are a good solution for certain applications and situations. For small-scale use where fast firing is needed, they offer clear productivity and efficiency advantages. But traditional kilns remain the standard for most ceramic firing needs. Consider the pros, cons and costs carefully before choosing between these two kiln technologies.