Homemade burnout kiln

Jewelry Discussion
6

Hi,

does anyone have details about using a flowerpot/hotplate for wax
burnout? i was reading an old thread where someone said that they
had good results with that, but they gave no details or
instructions.

If I remember correctly an article appeared in Lapidary Journal a
loooong time ago that described the set up. To the best of my
recollection here are the main points.

  1. Get a single burner electric hot plate with a burner about 8
    inches in diameter. (A double burner would probably work as well.)

  2. Find a clay flower pot that’s just large enough to cover the
    burner when it’s placed on the burner upside down.

  3. Before using the flower pot, cover the outside with a layed of
    aluminum foil. The heavy duty type would probably work best. A hole
    can be made in the foil where the hole is in the flower pot.

  4. Place the flask to be burned out on metal pan that’ll fit inside
    the flower pot. It helps if the flask is supported aprox. 1/4 inch
    above the pan. 3 or 4 nails can be placed between the pan & the edge
    of the flask.

  5. Center the pan & flask on the burner. Cover with the aluminum
    clad flower pot.

  6. Turn the hot plate on. It’s best to put the hot plate outside or
    some place where the smoke/fumes from the wax can dissipate without
    causing a problem.

Sorry, I can’t give you any time requirements for the burn out
cycle.

Dave