Baking skates at home

[SolarWind 23]

If you can use an oven here is the best way to do it. And I have seen my intructions on other websites so it must work.

Turn the oven to 180 F

turn the oven OFF

put a damp towel on the cookie sheet.

put the skates in the oven on the damp towel on the cookie sheet.

(no Insoles in them)

bake for 2 min (I know it says 3)

Take them out kick them back tie them up pulling the laces out to the side and not up.

Stand for 1 min (ONE90's only)

sit for 10 min take them off.

Get them sharpened and go skate!

Good luck!

the baking instructions above seem to be solid (consistent with Bauer's http://www.nikebauer.com/assets/pdf/ONE90_Fit_PDF.pdf) & have been used countless times.

I just had a few quick questions to confirm I understand them correctly?

1) Do I bake both skates at once, or as JR suggested somewhere one at a time (because they cool down pretty quickly)?

2) Do I just put skates on the damp towel or cover then with it?

3) Standing in the skates after baking - is this One90 specific? In XXXX should I just sit?

4) When I take the skates out of the over & put superfeets in them wouldn't riverts be hot enough to mold into the plastic parts of the insoles?

5) Modern ovens (especially gas ones) are pretty good @ keeping the constant temperature - so why turning it off & why baking for 2 minutes instead of 3?

Thanks!

P.S. I did bake my previous skates at LHS & wasn't impressed - had to bake 2 times.

[schrempsky 0]

id say you can do them both at the same time, just put both skates on and kick them both back before you tie one up. dont stand up in Vapor XXXX, only in One90, because the sidewalls were designed to flatten out in that boot only. you dont need to worry about the rivets melting the superfeet, i have never seen it happen, rivets dont get that hot.

hope some of this helps

[Aussie Joe 0]

Some skates need to be baked solidly twice. My L7's and Bauer XR's needed a double up before they even resembled a decent fitting pair.

I have baked every set of skates I have bought in the last 8 years at home. Never bodged it or regretted it. A very simple and ideal home job assuming you follow the directions properly.

[SolarWind 23]

dont stand up in Vapor XXXX, only in One90, because the sidewalls were designed to flatten out in that boot only.

thanks for clarification - much appreciated!

Interesting though that standing isn't permitted right after baking - one would think that the boot should adjust to the foot in the skating position?

is standing damaging? Why is it not allowed?

[jeffw 1]

The instruction that came with my Vapor XXV's say "You may stand up straight during the thermal adjustment. DO NOT walk or forward flex."

[YouTuuk 0]

dont stand up in Vapor XXXX, only in One90, because the sidewalls were designed to flatten out in that boot only.

thanks for clarification - much appreciated!

Interesting though that standing isn't permitted right after baking - one would think that the boot should adjust to the foot in the skating position?

is standing damaging? Why is it not allowed?

I think in some skates standing is frowned upon because it may ruin the arch support, I bought XXV's and it did say you could stand in them, but I usually don't stand until they cool off for about 5 minutes. Also don't limit yourself to only 10 minutes total time, because I think you get a better mold the longer your feet are in them - I sometimes sit in my garage if its colder.

This quickens the cool down....

I am addicted to heating my skates with like a blow dryer with an oven thermometer in them, to tweek certain areas. In fact I get comments like this at home - from Mom/Dad

"Are you still in those skates?"...

"Are you putting those skates on again?"....

They just don't understand. LOL

[Rustpot 1]

The guy at my LHS said he's seen the holders soften to the point that they'll deform if you stand after baking.

I believe JR said that he's seen TUUK holders soft enough to squish with his fingers (though he may have been exaggerating a bit).

[YouTuuk 0]

The guy at my LHS said he's seen the holders soften to the point that they'll deform if you stand after baking.

I believe JR said that he's seen TUUK holders soft enough to squish with his fingers (though he may have been exaggerating a bit).

Ok, good point Rustpot, from that one could intitiate a theory that if the metal portions of the skate: i.e ( rivets, eyelets and blade ) stay hot longer - thus the blade if stood upon for any length of time - could kind of squeeze a little further into the soft holder at some kind of wierd angle - then next time you skate you maybe going "left" when you wanted to go "right". Tee-hee, just an exageration but you get my point.

[Jordan 13]

Modern ovens (especially gas ones) are pretty good @ keeping the constant temperature - so why turning it off & why baking for 2 minutes instead of 3?

All ovens work on a thermastat, so the temperature that you set is only an average temp, with the burner(s) turning on 5 degrees or so below the requested setting and then cycling off at about 5 degrees above the requested setting.

What makes modern ovens "pretty good @ keeping the constant temperature" is improved insulation. The idea about turning the oven off, is that the temperature will hold long enough to do the bake, but you will avoid the danger of too much direct radiant heat from the burner overheating your skates.

[YouTuuk 0]

All ovens work on a thermastat, so the temperature that you set is only an average temp, with the burner(s) turning on 5 degrees or so below the requested setting and then cycling off at about 5 degrees above the requested setting.

What makes modern ovens "pretty good @ keeping the constant temperature" is improved insulation. The idea about turning the oven off, is that the temperature will hold long enough to do the bake, but you will avoid the danger of too much direct radiant heat from the burner overheating your skates.

One thread said you must use a "convection oven".

Google is always good and Wikipedia:

"...Convection ovens or fan ovens or turbo ovens augment a traditional oven by circulating heated air using a fan...Technically, all ovens have natural convection currents, which vary with food placement and position of the heating elements. For this reason a more accurate term would be "forced-convection oven....The air circulation, or convection, tends to eliminate "hot spots" and thus food may bake more evenly..."

[Rustpot 1]

Convection ovens aren't quite as typical in the home. The small skate ovens are more like glorified hair driers in that they blow hot air around.

Some people think it's necessary to blast the oven's heat into the boot, but I'm pretty sure that after 2 minutes in 180 degrees the air inside the boot will be about the same as outside.

The goal at the end of everything is to warm up the skate with roughly 180 degree air quickly and evenly without overheating the skate.

The cookie sheet and damp towel are to prevent the rack from singing the skate (or the sheet if it warms enough), turning the oven off is to keep the element from doing the same. Don't pull up on the laces as the material around the eyelets will be weakened, and don't stand as you'll risk deforming the footbed and holder.

You leave them on for 10 minutes to let the padding cool and harden to the shape of your foot.

Baking skates is to better form them to your foot and break them in without having to skate 20 times and be uncomfortable during. If the sole and arch don't fit your foot, baking isn't the answer. You're only looking to perhaps gain a little volume and have the heel wrap to your foot by having the padding soften enough to where it would be broken in, then it is soft and forms.

[ddbowdoin 0]

I have had my one90's baked three times at my LHS, twice with my superfeet in them.

nothing wrong with the superfeet, still very much structurally sound

[YouTuuk 0]

also genrally baking instructions give dire warnings like:

1) DO NOT BAKE more than 2 times

2) DO NOT SKATE in them until 24 hours past a bake.

But I think these warnings are just given to cover the manufactures donkey, and they error on the side of being very conservitive. Because I read in other threads you can skate on a baked skate within 2 hours or so, quicker if you put it in the freezer. Also yes baking skates too much may hurt the internal intergrity of the skate, but 2 times max --- come on.

In the summer sometime I "double dip" that is I play 18 holes of golf, with my hockey bag in the trunk, then after the round, I meet some freinds for pickup at the local rink. To be honest the car get real hot in the summer it prolly almost like a bake. I love those skates after a good bake in the summer heat ---- feels good on the foot - and lasted over 5 years and still ticking....Bauer 6500.

[SolarWind 23]

WOW - these were great responses - thanks a bunch gents!

But now I'm curious if the holders get so soft that can't hold the body weight (or can even be cracked simply by squeezing it with bare fingers) then how am I supposed to slam the heel back ("Take them out kick them back...") in order for it to settle?

Wouldn't it affect the holder as well?

I really start thinking that this is getting overly complicated...

[Rustpot 1]

What do you sit on? Does it have something hard like a leg that you can kick the heel of the boot and not slam the steel into your kitchen linoleum?

[SolarWind 23]

well - I must be retarded or something, but somehow after leaving XXXX in the oven for 2+ mins they felt barely warm (I did let the stove warm up etc)... Sounds like my cheap "convection" fan-less oven doesn't do the job...

I have even used a blow drier to warm them up a bit before putting the skates into the oven & right after getting them out, but they have never felt nearly as hot as my 1500c felt after baking them at LHS...

I will go skating tomorrow for the first time & will report back

the skates fit nicely except that on my longer left foot my big toe is pushing the toe cap a bit more then I'd like to (even after I have put superfeets in)...

[YouTuuk 0]

well - I must be retarded or something, but somehow after leaving XXXX in the oven for 2+ mins they felt barely warm (I did let the stove warm up etc)... Sounds like my cheap "convection" fan-less oven doesn't do the job...

I have even used a blow drier to warm them up a bit before putting the skates into the oven & right after getting them out, but they have never felt nearly as hot as my 1500c felt after baking them at LHS...

I will go skating tomorrow for the first time & will report back

the skates fit nicely except that on my longer left foot my big toe is pushing the toe cap a bit more then I'd like to (even after I have put superfeets in)...

Well you might want to buy a cheap ( $3.95 ) Oven Thermometer at WalMart, then stick it in the inside of your skate with it pointing towards the oven window and shine a flashlight every so often to see the actual temp inside the skate. I bet your skates are only getting hot on outside and not getting "cooked" inside very good.

I also use the oven thermometer when blow drying or using my heat gun. With my blow dryer - I have to blow about 3 to 4 minutes for it to get to 175 degrees, with the heat gun I have to be more careful.

On a more comical note, I was thinking about all the responces and thought to myself - I could create a "Go Green, Global Warming Solar skate bake box" - I remember in a bake thread a long time ago this guy had a cardboard box the he blew a hair dryer into - thus creating his own "convection oven"....Well combine that with my accidental skate bake from the summer heat in my car.

So I would create a small black sealed box ( black obsorbs heat ) with a plexiglass top to let in the hot sun shine. Leave it out on your patio on a hot summer day. And you got yourself an "Eco-freindly 'SolarWind' skate bake box"...LOL pardon the pun on the name. At least I did not mention Al Gore.

I tell you what - that thing could prolly could get to close to 200 degrees inside.

[SolarWind 23]

So I would create a small black sealed box ( black obsorbs heat ) with a plexiglass top to let in the hot sun shine. Leave it out on your patio on a hot summer day. And you got yourself an "Eco-freindly 'SolarWind' skate bake box"...LOL pardon the pun on the name. At least I did not mention Al Gore.

yeah - it's about time we go green & utilize the power of the Solar Power! :)

the only problem with that is there's no much sun currently (thanks to late spring & damn global dimming) so rather then waiting for the summer I will just break in the skates the good old way :)

[rankwrinkle 0]

My local store charges only $10 to bake skates, I'd rather pay them to do it than run the risk of ruining my skates in an oven.

[SolarWind 23]

My local store charges only $10 to bake skates, I'd rather pay them to do it than run the risk of ruining my skates in an oven.

as discussed before not everyone is as lucky - most stores charge at least $20 for used skates & upwards of $50 for the new ones!

[map70 0]

I am assuming this would work with Kor's as well?? Except keeping them in for 7-10 minutes at 175 F not 180....

I have a convection oven at home, would I have to shut it off at the correct temperature or can I leave it on??

I saw this in another thread on the board and was wondering if it applies to my home convection as well??

Preheat the in-store thermoforming oven to 220˚ Fahrenheit.

1. Prepare the foot the same way you would for skating (i.e., put on appropriate socks).

2. Place skates in the oven for a Minimum of 8 minutes and a Maximum of 10 minutes.

3. Remove the skate from the oven. Use caution when handling the skate, especially in the area of the metal lacing eyelets, to prevent burning your hands.

4. While sitting in chair, put on the skates, kick the boot back to ensure heel lock and lace them the same as you would for skating. Do not over tighten the laces.

5. Position the knees over the toes while sitting; Keep the hip, knee, and foot in line.

6. Stand and apply pressure immediately after lacing the skate to form it to your foot.

7. Flex forward slightly in skating position. Ensure proper vertical alignment during the cooling process. Do not walk in the skates for the first 8 minutes of the molding process.

8. Keep the skate on for at least 15 minutes, or until it is thoroughly cooled.

9. Do not use the skates for 8 hours after the thermo-forming process to allow them to cool completely.

[YouTuuk 0]

as discussed before not everyone is as lucky - most stores charge at least $20 for used skates & upwards of $50 for the new ones!

I think the reason LHS charge so much for bake is that usually they our baking a skate that was bought online - so they are recouping some of that money they feel they lost....That being said, my local LHS charges only $2.

I think thats OK because whats one thing LHS can do that Internet can't??

Answer: bake skates

[rankwrinkle 0]

as discussed before not everyone is as lucky - most stores charge at least $20 for used skates & upwards of $50 for the new ones!

I think the reason LHS charge so much for bake is that usually they our baking a skate that was bought online - so they are recouping some of that money they feel they lost....That being said, my local LHS charges only $2.

I think thats OK because whats one thing LHS can do that Internet can't??

Answer: bake skates

Called a local store and asked them how much for baking, they told me $50. I laughed and hung up the phone. Called a better place and they told me $10 even if i bought the skates elsewhere. I do all my hockey shopping at the second store now.

[Steve_v3 289]

I don't know how good it would work for new Skates but I have used my dryer with a rack. I checked the temp and it got as high as 180 degrees. The only problem its not a constant temp. I watched it and the temp would rise to 180 and drop to 155 and then rise back to 180. Here are pics of my dryer with the rack in and the temp. The best part is the air circulatated thruout the dryer.

http://cid-f15f1980c9ac4853.spaces.live.co...AC4853!108/

I used it with my Kor shift 1's. I had them in for 15 min. They didn't feel as hot as when I had them baked at my LHS though.

[SolarWind 23]

well - turned out Sportckeck doesn't charge ANYTHING for baking skates!

More then then depending on the store you can just do it yourself - the oven is usually sitting in the corner & nobody cares who uses it.

So I just walked into a store with my skates - asked for their permission - got OK, they had Misson skate oven - there was no thermostat (but I don't think there's any on these skate ovens), so I just preheated the thing for 5-6 mins, and then put the skates in there for 2 mins, got them out, put them on, sit for 20 mins - problem solved.