A laboratory scale calciner was developed in which a batch of SYNROC slurry could be dried and then calcined. A SYNROC sample was demonstratively prepared from a hydroxide-route slurry with the calciner. Results of x-ray diffraction and leach tests revealed that the calciner formed a SYNROC sample of good quality. It is also shown that the calciner is well adapted to a hot-cell apparatus for SYNROC fabrication.