Vinamold melt in deep fat fryer

[Toby]

Has anyone ever tried melting Vinamold (Vylamold, Vinamould and Gelflex) in a deep fat fryer (also known as an electric chip pan). Local rumour has it that it is possible, even without thermostat control. Or should that be browning control.
[Vinamold is a PVC compound for reuseable moulds with moderate undercuts. Alternative to RTV silicones]

[RuBert]

After reading your post all I can say is now I want to try it!

Actually, it doesn't sound like the safest operation in the world, but I was able to find some technical data that might help those that are interested.

Vinamold Hot Melt Compounds are meltable vinyl compositions used for the preparation of flexible moulds as alternatives to silicone rubbers, poly urethanes, and rubber latex, in the casting of concrete, gypsum, polyester resins and glass fiber laminates. Because vinamolds are essentially craft materials, few tools and only simply equipment are required. Once the behavior of vinamold is understood skill in producing even complicated moulds is rapidly acquired. In use vinamold is melted by heating, poured over the article to be copied, then allowed to cool.

GRADES AVAILABLE

For identification purposes vinamold is supplied in different colors - yellow, white and red. The 3 colors represent 3 different hardness's (flexibilities): yellow is the hardest, red the softest, and white intermediate. Where there is a possibility of pigment migration into a light colored article from red vinamold, the same grade is available unpigmented. Differences between the 3 vinamold types can be summarized as:

Yellow:

Melting temperature 150-170 degrees Celsius (302-338 degrees F) Pouring temperature 140-150 degrees Celsius (284-302 degrees F)

White:

Melting temperature 170 degrees Celsius or 338 degrees F.

Red (and Natural):

Melting temperature 150-170 degrees Celsius (302-338 degrees F.) Pouring temperature 140-150 degrees Celsius (284-302 degrees F.).

GENERAL PROPERTIES AND PRECAUTIONS

Re-use. Unlike some other flexible mould materials vinamolds are thermoplastic, that is to say they meld on heating and re-melt on re-heating. Worn or obsolete moulds may therefore be cleaned and re-used many times over, an obvious economic advantage. The number of times a mould can be used may be as many as 100.

MELTING VINAMOLD

The more care and control exercised in melting vinamold the more times the material can be re-used. Thermostatically controlled melting equipment is preferred.

Alternative simple melters can be constructed in the form of air or sand baths, utilizing vessels (for example cans) one inside the other with a gap all round of at least 12.5mm (1/2"). It is recommended to restrict the volume of melted vinamold in these simple devices to 5 kg (11 lbs.).

Under no circumstances should oil be used in place of sand or air - hot oil can cause serious burns and can easily ignite. Heat in only glass or metal or ceramic, or other approved melting pots.

Whether thermostatic or simple melters are used the practice for melting is the same - cut the material into small pieces, melt a small quantity, then add further pieces, melt these, add more pieces and so on.

[Toby]

So I went and tried it; lo and behold it works.
Used the special thermometer for vylamold (cheap) and kept stirring it with a wooden dowel. Didn't even smoke.
Wore welder gauntlets and old biker jacket and visor; maybe this was overkill.
Doesn't spit like chip oil. Well behaved stuff. Don't sue me if this goes wrong for you. :)

[Saboet]

Hi Toby,

My 2 cents worth. For smaller moulds it is possible to melt the vinamold in a microwave. For small quantities use 10 sec. bursts, for larger quantities increase the time but don't go over 30 seconds at a time. Stir well after each burst. Be carefull, though, and if you see any discolouration at the edges, stir and allow the temperature to equalise.
I use a digital thermometer each time I take the bowl out the oven.