One fantastic tip I have from friends is that if you are pouring melted Monster Clay (or wax for instance) into a mold to warm the mold up a bit so you have the most likely hood of getting great detail and avoiding the 'freeze lines' we all know and resent. Warming a mold up puts you closer to having success with casting things like fingers or small details that can be lost. The MC will cool as it enters the mold and the warmer the mold the less likely you are to miss some small details! Good luck everyone, and thanks for this tutorial!
i'm liking this idea bud. i need to liquify 10lb of plastilina clay and pour into a plastic mold. the clay came just wrapped in plastic wrap. what could i put it in to melt it while in the crock pot?
I know this is an old video, so expecting an answer might be a long shot, but I would like to warm up my clay in a crock pot, but I don’t want it to be liquid, I just want it to be softer. Is it possible to do this or do I just have to use an oven?
If your crockpot can be set to a "warm" setting, then it shouldn't melt the clay in a liquid. An oven is much more tricky because the clay quickly gets too hot. The best method is to use low temperature and be patient.
@@iilostboiii5058 You can also heat it up in a microwave the only down side is that you would be running back and forth to make it soft but i dont mind it at all
But how do you store it for later, also good tip near the end my dumb ass would've thought of using a lighter to soften the clay in parts that need to be smooth or add more details. I think a hair dryer would be a safer route.
Yes slow heat is better. Flames don't work well for clay. Maybe for waz, but not for clay. Just cover it up or put it in a cardboard box. It can be stored at any temp between 30°F and 90°F. Extreme temps can cause it to separate or dry out a bit. But it will still last. Just keep dirt and dust out.
Great question. Answer is no. The clay is oil based. Water and oil do not mix well, especially with heat. What I should have done is... Put a crock pot liner or oven bag in first. Now the clay is stuck in there for good until I heat it up again.
Good question, around 3 hours at 165° ... but you can melt it much faster in the crockpot if you want to risk burning the clay a bit (190° should only take 45 min to an hour) No matter what, do not leave melting clay unattended. Low and slow wins the race if you want to avoid burning the expensive clay.
@@FritzHoppe I asked because I was just about to try to melt some 'Medium' Monster clay myself' I ended up going with the same method that I usualy melt my wax ( for sculpting with) I used a double boiler ( put the clay in an old pan and put that in another pan of boiling water) A very safe way but one has to keep topping up the water as it boils off. It took about 3 1/2 hrs. Thanks for showing your technique, I think I will look for a cheap crockpot, the same as you have with temp controls.
@@mainstay. oh that is actually a clever method with water. I learned that from Jason the Worldtraveler (the fellow youtuber who I am always mentioning). Oil and water don't mix so it's a crazy thing that you wouldn't think works, but I guess it does. I hope the crockpot works for you. The main thing for me is controlling the exact temperature. Clay seems to separate a bit when it gets too hot or burns. It is like vasoline mixed with wax, or something of that nature.
One fantastic tip I have from friends is that if you are pouring melted Monster Clay (or wax for instance) into a mold to warm the mold up a bit so you have the most likely hood of getting great detail and avoiding the 'freeze lines' we all know and resent. Warming a mold up puts you closer to having success with casting things like fingers or small details that can be lost. The MC will cool as it enters the mold and the warmer the mold the less likely you are to miss some small details! Good luck everyone, and thanks for this tutorial!
What’s a good way to warm the mold ?
Clever solution.. I never thought about using a crock pot.
Personally, the safety aspect makes it the best option for me. Uncontrolled heat can ruin the clay or lead to fires.
quick trick: when your monster clay gets contaminated after use, you can melt it and strain it through a paint strainer to bring it back to new.
Awesome video, very helpful
Thanks for commenting!
I use to sculpt with sulfur based plasticine. I learned quickly that doesn’t get along with platinum silicone mold making
I’m struggling, not sure if its better to get a crock pot or a slow cooker
i'm liking this idea bud. i need to liquify 10lb of plastilina clay and pour into a plastic mold. the clay came just wrapped in plastic wrap. what could i put it in to melt it while in the crock pot?
I know this is an old video, so expecting an answer might be a long shot, but I would like to warm up my clay in a crock pot, but I don’t want it to be liquid, I just want it to be softer. Is it possible to do this or do I just have to use an oven?
If your crockpot can be set to a "warm" setting, then it shouldn't melt the clay in a liquid. An oven is much more tricky because the clay quickly gets too hot. The best method is to use low temperature and be patient.
If the clay does liquify for any reason, you can let it cool down. You can lightly touch it as it cools (without burning your finger).
Fritz Hoppe alright, thanks!
@@iilostboiii5058 You can also heat it up in a microwave the only down side is that you would be running back and forth to make it soft but i dont mind it at all
Which clay is harder and holds more detail; monster clay (hard grade) or J Mac clay (hard grade)?
But how do you store it for later, also good tip near the end my dumb ass would've thought of using a lighter to soften the clay in parts that need to be smooth or add more details. I think a hair dryer would be a safer route.
Yes slow heat is better. Flames don't work well for clay. Maybe for waz, but not for clay. Just cover it up or put it in a cardboard box. It can be stored at any temp between 30°F and 90°F. Extreme temps can cause it to separate or dry out a bit. But it will still last. Just keep dirt and dust out.
@@FritzHoppe thanks for the tip I'll probably make a lid with tin foil to keep the dust out.
Do you need the thermometer with this?
Can my sculpters melt on a hot weather? if so what can i do?
Do you have to wrap it after with plastic wrap to store or?
hi fritz did u have to add water to the pot before heating it up
Great question. Answer is no. The clay is oil based. Water and oil do not mix well, especially with heat. What I should have done is... Put a crock pot liner or oven bag in first. Now the clay is stuck in there for good until I heat it up again.
thank very much for your reply
When you say "after a few hours" how many exactly did it take to melt?
Good question, around 3 hours at 165° ... but you can melt it much faster in the crockpot if you want to risk burning the clay a bit (190° should only take 45 min to an hour) No matter what, do not leave melting clay unattended. Low and slow wins the race if you want to avoid burning the expensive clay.
@@FritzHoppe I asked because I was just about to try to melt some 'Medium' Monster clay myself' I ended up going with the same method that I usualy melt my wax ( for sculpting with) I used a double boiler ( put the clay in an old pan and put that in another pan of boiling water) A very safe way but one has to keep topping up the water as it boils off. It took about 3 1/2 hrs. Thanks for showing your technique, I think I will look for a cheap crockpot, the same as you have with temp controls.
@@mainstay. oh that is actually a clever method with water. I learned that from Jason the Worldtraveler (the fellow youtuber who I am always mentioning). Oil and water don't mix so it's a crazy thing that you wouldn't think works, but I guess it does.
I hope the crockpot works for you. The main thing for me is controlling the exact temperature. Clay seems to separate a bit when it gets too hot or burns. It is like vasoline mixed with wax, or something of that nature.
mine separated last night😮. I have mixed it and I am hoping to will stay blended😢 Is it absolutely ruined, once it has separated??
could you still use this for food after heating monster clay?
no.
Just buy a crockpot for non food use.