If you love crafting, air dry clay is a versatile and easy-to-use material. But if you're short on time, you might wonder if there's a quicker way to finish your project.
Good news! I’ll show you how to bake air dry clay for faster drying without damage using your oven.
Air dry clay offers the convenience of being sculpted and dried without needing a kiln, making it accessible for beginners and amateur artists. However, the natural air-drying process can take a considerable amount of time.
I'm going to walk you through the steps of how to bake air dry clay safely and effectively. However, it is not actually recommended to bake air dry clay because it can crack easily. But if you are in a rush follow these steps to your best chance of success.
What You Need to Bake Air-Dry Clay
To bake your air-dry clay project, gather the following items:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Your air dry clay creation (I use Crayola air dry clay)
- A conventional oven
How to Bake Air Dry Clay: Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Surface
Begin by lining your baking sheet with parchment paper. This is crucial to ensure your clay project doesn't come into direct contact with surfaces used for food preparation.
Step 2: Position Your Project
Move your air dry clay piece from the work surface to the parchment paper.
Step 3: Set Up the Oven
Put the baking sheet with your project in the oven. Make sure the oven is cold before placing your clay inside.
Step 4: Preheating and Timing
Preheat the oven to 200°F and set a timer for 20 minutes immediately. It's important to start the timer as soon as you place your project in the oven, as the preheating time counts towards the total baking time.
Step 5: Cooling Down
Once the timer goes off, turn off the oven. Leave the project inside until both the oven and the clay have completely cooled down before removing it.
Important Tips for Baking Success
- Start with a Cold Oven: Never place your clay in a preheated oven. Allow it to gradually heat up with the oven to avoid cracking.
- Timing is Everything: Setting the timer right when the clay goes into the cold oven is essential. Extending the bake time beyond 20 minutes post-preheat can lead to damage.
- Cool Down Carefully: Once baking is complete, let both the oven and the clay cool fully before removing the project. Rapid temperature changes can lead to cracking, brittleness, and breakage.
- Check the Manufacturer's Instructions: Some air-dry clays may have specific guidelines for baking, or might even advise against it. Always double-check the packaging before proceeding.
- Use Parchment Paper: This will protect your clay and ensure that your baking surfaces remain safe for food use later.
Final Thoughts About How to Cook Air Dry Clay
While air-dry clay is designed for a natural drying process, baking it is a good option if you're in a rush because the normal time to dry can take as much as 24 hours to many days.
By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you can safely speed up the drying process of your air-dry clay pieces without compromising the quality.
Keep in mind, as it dries, air dry clay may shrink a bit, so don't be surprised if your baked project ends up slightly smaller.
Also, because air dry clay ingredients are clay and glue, it is not waterproof and can become soft if it comes into contact with water. However, you can make it water-resistant with a sealant or varnish.
Whether you're crafting decorative items or creating gifts, knowing how to bake air dry clay can be a useful addition to your crafting skill set.
Have you tried baking air dry clay? I'd love to hear how it went in the comments!
Looking for more air dry clay inspiration? Check out these posts:
- How to Paint Air Dry Clay: A Step-by-Step Guide Using 4 Different Paints
- How to Make Clay Bowls
- Crafting Magic: How to Make Clay Mushrooms
- How to Make DIY Air Dry Clay Ornaments
Happy Decorating!
