Self cleaning oven disaster

[Rick in PA]

Add heating plastic for vacuum forming to the list.

Thanks for the description, I may be able to use some of those thoughts at work.

In a curious coincidence, we got a vacuum forming machine for our Engineering Department at work in the early part of the year. So I am familiar with having to watch the plastic until it sags just right. I assume you watch it closely so as not to annoy the wife with plastic residue on the oven heating element.

Here's the funny part, we found that the heater for the vacuum former makes an excellent broiler for toasting bagels in the morning. You just cover the vacuum plate with aluminum foil, place your bagels cut side up, lower the plastic heating head over the bagels and toast to perfection! We've only done it twice, but they were good.

 

[JHZR2]

If that's not user error, its scary!

Getting to the electric box stat is key!

 

[JimPghPA]

We put talcum-powder on the mold and the plastic to help with an easy release. Use a chip brush to spread it well. It is easy to wash off after the plastic is formed.

The first few times we did the heating of the plastic we put trays with aluminum foil on them to ketch the plastic if we had it break loose by over-heating. Then when we knew the temperature and time we no longer bother with the trays and foil.

One thing we found out is that if you use plastic of different thickness the heating time changes.

If I were making the vacuum box again I would put bracing under the peg board top with plenty of holes in the braces to allow the vacuum to flow well, yet prevent the peg board from sagging when the vacuum pulls down on it.