empire247 Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 for the guys who are using presto pots, about how long is the time for your plastic to reach pouring temp starting from room temp? and if you are using a microwave first to heat your plastic how long do you let your pot "warm up" before adding the hot plastic from the microwave? also how much would be considered a minimum amount per pour? 2 quarts? thanks brett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Prager Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 I rarely use the Presto Pot I made. But when I do use it, I only use two cups at a time and I guess it takes about 15 minutes for it to be ready to pour. It takes me much longer to use the pot than Pyrex/microwave, but that's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 Brett, I have just gotten a presto pot and am going to do some experiments today. I heat the "old school" way with pots and burners. The time factor will not bother me, but I have some of the same questions as you. I will psot my results later. Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 152nd's pot must be more powerful than mine. It took 1 hour and 15 min. to heat up 2.5cups.(20 oz) It may be the way I did it as I only turned the temp up to 325 to begin with. After a half hour I turned it up to 350. After another half hour I turned it to 400 and then backed down after ten minutes as the plastic became ready quickly. It turned out pretty good but it will take some getting used to as I am used to using a pot and having more control over the flow. The presto pot that I have has a stirrer in that can be used with it and I beleive that i would not pour less than 16 oz at a time. Withthe 20 oz i just did I was able to pour: 20-6" lizards 20-7" straight tail worms 10-10" trick worms 10-6" finesse worms The presto pot is the way to go if you are doing one color stuff and a lot of it. Hope this helps. Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroggi1 Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 (edited) All the Presto's I have made take about 7 minutes to go from normal to pour. 2 cups is a good small pour and if you tilt the base just a bit and have a flush drain you will get all but enough to make say 5- 5" sticks Once cool you can peel any left over out and keep in a safe place till the next pour so almost zero waste. Flush drain left not so efficient drain to the right. http://media5.dropshots.com/photos/245321/20080202/095816.jpg Edited October 18, 2008 by mbroggi1 picture issue 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 mbroggi1, What temp do you set it at when you begin? Do you start at 400 and back off when it gets ready to pour? I thought that 400 would scorch the plastic. forgive my ignorance on this as I have just used my presto for the first time today. Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroggi1 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 (edited) Usaully 350 is just about right on, the dials are pretty accurate. When pouring in the winter in a cold garage 20-30 i run it at 360 or so but that was cause i had a fan blowing right on the pot to clear the air. You should contruct a exhaust fan and hose if you pour indoors /closed envoirnment. Febuary 2 25 degrees out see the fan.. This was at the very end of the pour and was a bit cold see no smoke at all DropShots.com This was some much hotter plastic you will see the smoke and was like 365 plastic gets like water when coming out. http://www.dropshots.com/MBroggi#date/2008-02-02/17:11:34 Edited October 19, 2008 by mbroggi1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroggi1 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Here is a very simple stand that is easy to make. I made it double nothched just in case the presto is a double drain and valve. 10" H 22" W 8.5" D just notch for valve PS Eric B' thats yours before shipping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Started at 350 and it took 20 min this time. I also cleaned the contacts where the cord goes in. Thanks for the advice mbroggi1 Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroggi1 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Keep an eye on the light that indicates if the heating element is on. If it cyclingon/off that could be an issue. Another thing to watch is the voltage at the heating element. Presto's are 10.6 amps 1300 watts, if you are using an small extension cord that coud be a cause of slow heating. Are you putting the salt in before heating? I pour mine in once the plastic goes clear. Imagine trying to heat all that plastic with a 1/4" layer of solid salt on the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 No. I plug direct into a 20a dedicated circuit. I don't think it is a voltage drop problem. I wait to put in my salt, scent, color and glitter right before I pour. I think one other reason mine might take a little longer is it has a solid steel stirrer as opposed to aluminum. It will take a little for that to heat up also. I did 2 cups and seemed to work okay. Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroggi1 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Watch the light to see if its shutting off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Yes, the light does go on and off but I beleive that it is doing as the temp is reached and then needs to reheat. Or shoukd it be on all the time? I thought that it should shut off when the temp is reached. Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroggi1 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Correct off means no heat, but should stay on constant till plastic reaches temperature. I tend to go to 400 while its cooking the first few minutes than down after it goes clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Yeh, I think I hosed it up the first time but I get what you are saying. Thanks for your help. Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigdestroyer Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 mbroggi1 Your setup is excellent. Great link, images and videos. I really enjoyed going through them and learning a few things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
