Microwave in the Jewelry Studio

Jewelry Discussion
1

We are about to purchase a new Microwave for the kitchen. I was
wondering if any one had found a creative use for a working
microwave in the Jewelry Studio other than for coffee reheat.

Al Sleeper
The Aurora Silversmith

2

Just throw out your old one, it probably leaks radiation anyway.

And as to reheated coffee! Good God, man! Life’s too short to
drink bad coffee. Check out http://www.capresso.com and get
yourself a real coffee pot.

One thing you can do with an old microwave before you throw it out:

Do a fun little science experiment where you create a plasma ball
inside the microwave. That’s cool to see.

Elaine
(who’s had a little too much coffee herself this morning.)
Elaine Luther
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor

Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay

3

I use one to quickly heat up my liver of sulphur mix. About 45
seconds and I have a nice hot mix ready to dip in. If you keep the
mix sealed air tight when not in use, it will last for months.

Cheers,
Paul Ewing

4

I have heard about using a microwave for casting. Ancient
technique/modern Technology. Here is a site that explains how to.

http://home.c2i.net/metaphor/mvpage.html

5

Paul: You wrote re Liver of Sulfur:

 If you keep the mix sealed air tight when not in use, it will last
for months.

Wow - that’s amazing. What type of vessel are your using to store
this? Dark Glass? or Opaque Glass of some sort? or Opaque plastic?
And does a screw-on lid work? or does the metal lid become affected
from the fumes of the LoS? or does the container need a suction type
lid (think of those beer bottles with the rubber section that goes
into the bottle top and then clamps tightly. I’ve never ever been
successful in storing even the dry LoS much less the already mixed
up version. Thanks.

Kay

6 
    We are about to purchase a new Microwave for the kitchen. I
was wondering if any one had found a creative use for a working
microwave in the Jewelry Studio other than for coffee reheat.

I use a microwave to heat chemicals of all types. Plating solutions,
acids, alkalies etc., etc. I don’t use this microwave for cooking or
heating anything to be taken internally. Just chemicals that I used
to warm on a hotplate. I have to replace the microwave every couple
of years as the corrosion gets to be pretty heavy, but a used pawn
shop microwave is cheap enough.

7 
before you throw it out: Do a fun little science experiment where
you create a plasma ball inside the microwave. That's cool to see.

Elaine,

How can you tease us like that?!?!? TELL HOW to create a plasma ball!
! PLEASE!

David Barzilay
Lord of the Rings
607 S Hill St Ste 850
Los Angeles, CA 90014-1718
213-488-9157

8

Al, I haven’t tried it yet but I plan on remelting the larger scraps
of carving wax and then pouring a new tube. I did read an article
about melting metals in a microwave with only a small but no doubt
crucial change or two to the microwave.

anybody else?
Miche

9

David Reid uses his microwave oven to melt metal for casting. Follow
the link below because it is worth reading!

http://home.c2i.net/metaphor/mvpage.html

So how do you make the plasma ball?

  • Jeff
10 
   I was wondering if any one had found a creative use for a
working microwave in the Jewelry Studio other than for coffee
reheat. Al Sleeper

Hi Al;

I often use mine to heat up an old coffee mug full of water to
soften some jet-set thermoplastic, or to heat a cup of water to mix a
bit of fresh pickle/hydrogen peroxide mixture to remove copper that
gets plated on to a metal article. But hey, who couldn’t use a bit
of microwave popcorn on occasion, eh?

David L. Huffman

11

I use a microwave to heat up small jars of water to soften JettSett.

Laurie Cavanaugh
Acanthusleaf Designs
Santa Ana, CA

who at the last minute is doing a midnight road trip to Tucson just
for the weekend. Yes, I’ll be at the dinner, and I’ll be carying the
grey tote bag from last year’s dinner. Hope to meet many of you!

12

I thought metal in a microwave was a major ‘no no!’? Or doesn’t
silver count?

Jeanne
http://www.jeanniusdesigns.com

13 
How can you tease us like that?!?!? TELL HOW to create a plasma ball!

I’m working on it! Gotta get the details from my friend. Can’t
post inaccurate stuff on Orchid.

Elaine

Elaine Luther
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay

14

Thanks to all for the Micro wave suggestions. I do some patination
of copper and silver so it may work well there. Al

15

Jeanne,

Metal is actually OK in the microwave as long as it’s fully covered
with a liquid. For example, I use the microwave occasionally when
I’ve got a piece that is very layered (like a mokume stack or a
heavily fused piece) or hollowware and I need to be sure that I’ve
thoroughly neutralized any pickle residue. Pop it in the microwave
immersed in a bowl of water and baking soda for about 5 minutes, and
it works like a charm!

Karen Goeller
@Karen_Goeller
Hand-crafted artisan jewelry
http://www.nolimitations.com

16

I find my microwave in the studio so useful that I am taking it to
my new studio…I use it mostly for the ultrasonic cleaner: instead
of keeping the whole big tank heated all day (and sometimes
forgetting to turn it off…), I have a beaker suspended in it which
I can heat instantly with the microwave. When the solution is really
hot, it cleans in a few seconds!

Janet in Jerusalem

17

Hello Orchidians,

Janet in Jerusalem uses the microwave to heat up 'sonic cleaner
quickly, “instead of keeping the whole big tank heated all day (and
sometimes forgetting to turn it off…), I have a beaker suspended
in it which I can heat instantly with the microwave.”

I do the same thing with citric pickle. I use a mug on a mug
warmer, so it’s easy to pop that mug into my cheap, mini- microwave,
heat it up, and be quickly ready to go. Good also for water used to
warm up JetSet. Saves time.

Orchidians are so clever , and willing to share these little
short-cuts.

Judy in Kansas

18

A member recently asked about metals in the microwave, regarding
safety. I’m not sure why it used to be so, but seems not to be the
case so much, anymore. Apparently, it is being done. Years ago, a
person in my life put some food in our old unit that was wrapped
with aluminum foil. The oven promptly blew a fuse.

Recently, the guys on the television show ‘Mythbusters’ put it to
the test. I don’t remember the final result, but they did put some
foil in one and not much happened…at first. After the first
attempt, they folded (corrugated, actually), a large piece of foil,
and got some very pretty arcing (sparks). The effect varied with the
size of the corrugations. A crumpled ball of foil lent an effect
that sort of resembled the “plasma ball” that has been mentioned in
this thread.

If anyone decides to try this, it would probably be a good idea to
use a microwave oven you can live without. I’d also suggest using a
very long stick to push the ‘on’ button, as well…just in case.
Um…I don’t know if they used heavy duty foil, freezer foil, or
just regular old aluminum foil.

James in SoFl

19

James, I mistakenly put some food on a plate with a gold rim into my
microwave. Was like the 4th of July in there.

My newer Microwave has a metal shelf, go figure.

Terrie

20

Hi All,

Terrie mentioned putting a plate with gold rim in the microwave with
fireworks the result. Weeellllll. I put in a mug with a gold
company logo on the side. Didn’t notice any fireworks, but when I
grabbed the mug of hot water to remove it, I nearly branded my palm.
That logo got HOT! Shoulda’ used the handle.

Judy in Kansas