A microwave kiln works by converting microwave energy into intense heat using a special lining, allowing materials like glass to be fired inside a standard household microwave oven.
At its core, a microwave kiln is a contained environment designed specifically for firing materials at high temperatures within a microwave. It consists of two main parts: a base and a hood. These parts are made of a white insulating fiber, which is crucial for retaining the heat generated during the firing process.
The Heating Mechanism
The key to how a microwave kiln achieves the necessary temperatures lies in its interior lining. The reference highlights this critical component:
- The inside chamber is lined with a black compound.
- This black compound is specifically designed to absorb the microwave radiation emitted by the microwave oven.
- Unlike the material being fired (such as glass or clay), which largely ignores the microwaves, this lining efficiently captures the energy.
- As the lining absorbs the microwaves, it rapidly heats up.
- This process allows the lining to reach extremely high temperatures, specifically up to 1650°F or approximately cone 010.
How Firing Occurs
Once the black lining is superheated by the microwave energy, it then radiates this intense heat inwards into the kiln chamber. The insulating fiber body prevents this heat from escaping, creating a concentrated high-temperature environment. The material placed inside the kiln (on the base, under the hood) is then fired by this radiant heat, allowing processes like glass fusing or small ceramic firings to occur relatively quickly.
In summary, a microwave kiln leverages the power of a household microwave by using a specialized lining that absorbs the energy and gets incredibly hot. This heat is then contained by insulation and used to fire materials placed within the kiln chamber.
