Why is my polymer clay smoking?

If your clay is burning, your oven is too hot. Period. Most polymer clay is far more heat tolerant than you'd expect.
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Is polymer clay supposed to smoke?

You definitely don't want smoke to happen when curing polymer clay (it's not good for lungs, and means that the heat is too high in certain areas or at certain times, etc, etc).
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Why so much smoke comes out when I bake polymer clay?

Burned clay will create fumes that you really should not be breathing. The very upper temperature limit for baking polymer clay is 350 degrees Fahrenheit but this varies from brand to brand (see further discussion about this in comments section below). I usually stay at around 265 degrees to be on the safe side.
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What happens if you overbake polymer clay?

Yes, polymer clay can burn if you do not bake it according to package instructions. Just like anything you would bake in the oven, if you bake clay too hot for too long, it will burn.
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Can you save burnt polymer clay?

Once polymer clay has darkened, scorched, or burned, it can't go back to being the original color unless you do something like paint those areas, or sand and buff them, or cover with more clay or with other things to hide them, etc.
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How I Deal with Dust and Fingerprints on Polymer Clay



Can I still use burnt polymer clay?

In addition to phthalate exposure the research indicates that when polymer clay is overheated enough or accidentally burned, the PVC will break down and release highly toxic hydrochloric acid gas.
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How do you know if polymer clay is burned?

Sometimes you'll find that your polymer clay beads will come out of the oven with a brownish tint ranging from a slight yellow to a dark burn depending on how bad the scorch was. This happens when the oven you are using (a toaster oven in my case) has open elements that send direct heat onto your polymer clay.
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What temp should you bake polymer clay?

Best Temperature to Bake Polymer Clay

In most cases, you can bake polymer clay at 275F for about 30 minutes per 1/4 inch of thickness.
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How do you know if polymer clay is done baking?

#3: How Do You Know When Polymer Is Done Baking? When polyclay is cured correctly, your cooled piece can be marked when you press a fingernail into it, but your nail won't sink in. It will be difficult to break, but if it is thin it might bend easily.
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At what temp and how long do you bake polymer clay?

Sculpey, preheat to 275 degrees F (135 C). Bake for 30 minutes per quarter inch of thickness. It is suggested that thicker pieces be initially baked for 15 minutes, then another 5 minutes, another 5 minutes, etc. The clay needs at least 15 minutes to cure properly.
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How do you keep white polymer clay from burning?

Polymer clay does not burn and turn black unless the oven is near 350°F (190°C). If you reduce the temperature out of fear of burning, you will underbake your project, which causes your project to break.
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Is Sculpey safe to smoke from?

Yes, it would be toxic. A lot of metal pipes are decorated with polymer clay if you wanted to go that route.
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Can you bake polymer clay twice?

As long as you're following the package instructions — and using an oven thermometer to maintain the proper temperature — you can bake polymer clay multiple times and complete a complicated piece in multiple steps.
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How long do you let polymer clay cool?

The clay needs at least 15 minutes to cure properly. Strength increases as the baking time increases. Always be certain to first check the oven's temperature accuracy with an oven thermometer.
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Can you overcook polymer clay?

Re-bake for 15 minutes at 275 degrees F. Then, apply a third complete layer, adding finishing details, and re-bake for a final 15 minutes at 275 degrees F. Overbaking will cause darkening of the clay, and burning can cause bubbling and darkening.
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Can you bake Sculpey on parchment paper?

Sculpey Clay can be baked on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper or cardstock. Some people like to use ceramic tiles or glass that can serve as both a work and clay baking surface.
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Should polymer clay be flexible after baking?

When polymer clay is properly cured, which you do by baking it in an oven, it is flexible and durable. Polymer clay is not fragile. Since it is made from vinyl, polymer clay is flexible and you can bend or flex your project if it's thin enough. This is normal and expected.
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Why did my Sculpey burn?

If you have burned polymer clay, you need to address your oven, not your baking times. Many people assume that baking longer times at lower temperature settings will solve this problem. It's common to read recommendations in forums to set your oven to, for instance, 215°F (100°C) and bake for an hour or so.
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How toxic is polymer clay?

Polymer clay is non-toxic, so it is completely safe to use around children and pets. If your child bites into their handmade clay pizza, the only consequence is a yucky taste in their mouth. However, even though polymer clay is non-toxic, eating a bowl of clay spaghetti for dinner might cause a stomachache.
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How do you know when Sculpey is done?

Sculpey III

Bake for 15 minutes per quarter inch of thickness. For example, a piece of 1/2" thickness should be cured for 30 minutes. To test the curing, try pressing the tip of your fingernail into the bottom of your piece after it has cooled; it will leave a mark but will not actually enter the clay.
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What temperature do you bake Sculpey clay?

Sculpey® bake at 275 degrees F.
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Can you boil polymer clay?

Baking is the recommended curing technique, but boiling may work just as well for small projects, preferably with clay pieces no thicker than one inch. This technique reduces the risk of cracks and may even help the clay retain more vibrant colors when compared to the baking method.
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Why did my clay melt in the oven?

If your clay melted in the oven, it was a type of modeling clay, also known as plasticine or plastalina. And you might be surprised to know that this is a very common mistake. Sometimes this happens because you pick up a bar of modeling clay along with your polymer clay.
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