# Hot Plate or Reflow Oven? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Electronics\ **Created:** [January 4, 2025, 10:24am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894 "2025-01-04T10:24:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![szakaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@szakaria](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/szakaria)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 10:24am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/1 "2025-01-04T10:24:10Z")
So far I use hot gun to solder smd components. I want to start using a hot plate or Reflow Oven so that the soldering process is faster. I have never used a Hot Plate nor a Reflow Oven before and I wonder which one is safer for esp32 and other components? Also I have no idea how to solder 2 layer PCBs as when I solder components in one side and I start soldering the other side, the components from the 1st side will disconnect and fall. Please share your experience and advices. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_KD7HB](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paul_kd7hb/32/1127958_2.png) [@Paul\_KD7HB](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Paul_KD7HB)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/2 "2025-01-04T15:36:10Z")
Basically the soldering of two sided circuit boards are done with very close control of temperatures. Soldering the second side of a circuit board relies on the surface tension of the molten solder to hold the components in place. Too hot and the surface tension becomes too weak to hold the component. In addition, any vibration will shake the component loose from the board. If you can overcome the problems, you will need to device a way to support the board while soldering the second side. You do not want the components to come in contact with the hot surface. Advice to study the data sheets for all components and see if the heating/cooling times will work for your plan. ---
**Author:** ![sonofcy](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/sonofcy/32/1283617_2.png) [@sonofcy](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/sonofcy)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/3 "2025-01-04T16:24:52Z")
If you are doing double sided, the plate will not work, you need the oven. ---
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/4 "2025-01-04T16:39:59Z")
- For DIY hobbyists, the components on, let’s call it the foil side, are soldered by hand. - I now only use a hotplate or hand solder PCBs. Some components like potentiometers can be damaged by an oven. Personally, it makes no sense to heat everything to soldering temperatures, I prefer to just heat the component leads. - How many boards will you be making per run ? - Here is how I hand solder ESP32s: > [@Share tips you have come across](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/1256): > > Hand Soldering an ESP32 Wroom-32 MCU Module to a PCB New users who have not done a lot of soldering might find this method of castellated SMD soldering interesting. Solder paste is best used for this kind of application. For hand soldering, I keep normal soldering iron tip temperature at 350 degrees Celsius. In this procedure, raise the tip temperature to 400 degrees. We first solder each castellation as see in the attached YouTube video. After soldering each cove, add a small amo… ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/8/4/e/84e2532c4b789a36f7bfa2f16c28a12d6ca72dca.jpeg) - Here is how I hand solder SMDs: > [@Share tips you have come across](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/1250): > > Magnetic Hold Down Clamp Soldering Method part 1 Soldering Method Explained I was asked to elaborate on soldering SMDs using the Magnetic Hold Down Clamp. The attached images and YouTube video should be self explanatory. [[Magnetic hold down clamp soldering.] ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu08FSO1jq4) ![D](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/7/b/4/7b40e32e3d22efd6a2e00f0ae89ffb6e6ebd9680.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![szakaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@szakaria](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/szakaria)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 10:39am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/5 "2025-01-05T10:39:24Z")
Thank you for the explanation. I am planning to solder 10 PCBs for this time but if everything goes well with the project, I may have to deal with 100 PCBs or more. ---
**Author:** ![SurferTim](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/surfertim/32/1072341_2.png) [@SurferTim](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/SurferTim)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 10:41am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/6 "2025-01-05T10:41:29Z")
How about a SMD adhesive? > **[SMD Adhesives](https://www.kester.com/products/category/smd-adhesives)** > > SMD Adhesives ---
**Author:** ![sonofcy](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/sonofcy/32/1283617_2.png) [@sonofcy](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/sonofcy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 11:02am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/7 "2025-01-05T11:02:22Z")
Can you point me at an explanation of how/when to use these? ---
**Author:** ![SurferTim](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/surfertim/32/1072341_2.png) [@SurferTim](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/SurferTim)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 11:03am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/8 "2025-01-05T11:03:54Z")
SMD adhesives are used when the devices will be upside down, as in wave soldering. It is applied before the soldering to the case of the device. It is a heat resistant glue. ---
**Author:** ![sonofcy](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/sonofcy/32/1283617_2.png) [@sonofcy](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/sonofcy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/9 "2025-01-05T13:56:10Z")
Sometimes I want to use a rework air gun but the small SMD can be blown away. This sounds like a fix for that. I don't own a hot plate or oven yet. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_KD7HB](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paul_kd7hb/32/1127958_2.png) [@Paul\_KD7HB](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Paul_KD7HB)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/10 "2025-01-05T15:11:56Z")
> [@sonofcy](#): > > I don't own a hot plate or oven yet. MAny people have successfully used electric fry pans and toaster ovens. ---
**Author:** ![sonofcy](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/sonofcy/32/1283617_2.png) [@sonofcy](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/sonofcy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 4:23pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/11 "2025-01-05T16:23:28Z")
Don't own either, and no room in my room. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_KD7HB](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paul_kd7hb/32/1127958_2.png) [@Paul\_KD7HB](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Paul_KD7HB)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/12 "2025-01-05T16:33:15Z")
Can you vent the fumes from a small reflow oven? ---
**Author:** ![LarryD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/larryd/32/215550_2.png) [@LarryD](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/LarryD)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/13 "2025-01-05T17:13:19Z")
- There are two sizes of this hotplate, they are small but effective. > [@Share tips you have come across](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/share-tips-you-have-come-across/428745/857): > > MHP30 60W preheater hotplate The MHP30 60W preheater hotplate is a great soldering and reworking tool for your electronics projects. See post #867 also. This tool sells for about $75 and $100 USD (without and with power supply); at first glance it seems like a small expensive toy. In fact, the hotplate can be particularly useful on your work bench. By itself, the MHP30 can be used to solder and unsolder SMD parts in under 15 seconds. The hotplate surface is 30 mm X 30 mm which has a cera… ![G](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/e/3/a/e3ace5f7e5cffff65100ac67c7634932ad9a381d.jpeg) ![L](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/7/8/2/78258321749b13c870cd37f713b8407116f482b1.jpeg) ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/e/7/d/e7d49b2711d0fed78c9de6aef49de8e32896fd0c.jpeg) ![IMG_3834](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/1/a/7/1a70ec505afa4997d37fc60c69d78883179ed85b.jpeg) - Then there’s this one too. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/e/f/0/ef08ef26911f5efcba5974b756537747471ef6c4.jpeg) ![5](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/f/1/4/f14f8aabed5918f66b90fae5e484e86dab21d599.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![szakaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@szakaria](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/szakaria)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/14 "2025-01-07T23:15:54Z")
I didn't know that something like SMD adhesives existed. Thank you for this info. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_KD7HB](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paul_kd7hb/32/1127958_2.png) [@Paul\_KD7HB](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Paul_KD7HB)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:45am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/15 "2025-01-08T03:45:50Z")
Don't ever use adhesives on AMD devices that use a belly pad for heat dissipation. It must be soldered. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/system/32/1140315_2.png) [@system](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 3:46am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/hot-plate-or-reflow-oven/1338894/16 "2025-07-07T03:46:27Z")
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