Equipment Used To Make Cold Process and Hot Process Soaps

If you are wanting to make your soaps by the cold process method, here is a list of items you will need to create your soap. If you are planning to make your soap by the hot process method, most of this equipment will also be used.

Sturdy plastic pitcher - Two pitchers are needed - one to weigh the lye in and the other one used to weigh the water. Always add the lye to the water and never add the water to the dry lye or the mixture may form a volcano like eruption. Use a pitcher that has a lot of clearance on top so it is difficult for lye to splash when mixing.

Stainless steel wire whisk or stick blender – Wire whisk should be the sturdy kind sold at restaurant supply stores or gourmet kitchen stores. A sturdy wire whisk works really well to help bring lye water and oils to trace. Mix in a circular motion, taking care to keep the whisk close to the bottom of the container to avoid spills and splashes.

Large stainless steel or enamel pot - Use a pot large enough with ample headroom (6-8 inches) so if mixture splashes it will remain in the pot and not spill out onto you.

Large, sturdy stainless steel or plastic spoons – Stainless steel professional restaurant type spoons are the best. I have never used plastic spoons, but many people use them in making soap. Any plastic spoons used should be very sturdy and should not easily bend. A spoon that is bendable can easily cause spills and splatters.

Scale – A good digital scale will give the most accurate weight. Test scale to make sure it is working before setting up to make soap. Change batteries if needed. Without an accurate weighing device, it is unsafe to make soap.

Glass candy thermometers – Use a candy thermometer with any aluminum parts away from the lye mix, which is corrosive to aluminum. Garbage bags, sturdy plastic or freezer paper to line mold – To line mold with garbage bag, cut bag open so that it is flat. Arrange it in the mold, squishing it into the corners and leaving enough hanging over the sides to fold back over and cover soap. To line mold with freezer paper, measure and cut so that excess paper is available for the sides. Miter corners and flatten them against sides of mold. Alternatively, tape outside of miter to hold it temporarily until soap is poured into mold.

Appropriate clothing – Long sleeves and clothing that covers upper and lower torso and extremities. Tuck hair away from face. Remove long dangling jewelry and any accessories that dangle and may become entangled in equipment and lye mixture. Dress in shoes or sneakers that completely cover the feet. Even a small drop of lye grain on the skin burns and may not be detected until minutes later. So protect your skin and all mucous membranes at all times.

Safety goggles or face shield – Available at hardware, scientific or medical supply stores. Important for protecting the delicate eye area from splashes.

Chemical mask – One that is designed to protect from fumes. If one is not available, then provide adequate ventilation – open windows and doors. My experience is that even if there is adequate ventilation in the room, after mixing the lye and the water, one has to step out of the room- the fumes are that intense.

Heavy-duty gloves – Neoprene gloves are the best. Regular kitchen gloves are okay if they are thick enough. Gloves should be long enough to cover wrist and arm portion proximal to the elbow if possible. Alternatively, lye and water can be mixed and left to cool down in another area or room away from animals and pets. The fumes from lye are damaging to the respiratory tract. When lye and water are combined, the exothermic reaction (one that produces heat) also produces droplets that float in the air. Therefore, it is important to stand back from the lye/water combination while mixing and to remove it from your primary soap making location once it is mixed. Remember that constant irritation of the respiratory tract may not have immediate consequences to ones health but may show up years later.

Supply Sources

Utility Safeguard - located in PA carries just about all the safety equipment needed to make soap -chemical masks, neoprene gloves, face shields and goggles.

Safety Supply America - Located in Newport Beach California carry a wide assortment of safety equipment including personal protective gear - masks, goggles,and gloves.

Lye calculator -

href="http://www.thesage.com/">Majestic Sage has one of the best lye calculators around. I have used it many times and have always been pleased with its accuracy.

Source: Permission to reprint by Winsome Tapper, Soapmaking Editor, href="http://www.bellaonline.com/site/soapmaking">www.bellaonline.com/site/soapmaking

PRESTO POT W/SPIGOT for Melting Soap

Earlier this month, I told you about a soap melting pot from Presto Pot with spigot that is an alternative for your melt and pour soapmaking projects. I finally got to try one of these products.

What is great about this item is that it melts up to 6-7 pounds of soap so if you are making alot of bars at one time. It melts the soap alot faster than a crock pot would but you do have to be careful that you do not have the temp to high or the soap will boil over. I was told the best tempature to melt your glycerin soap is 200 degrees. Once melted the soap easy comes out of the spigot, but fair warning if you allow the remaining soap to harden you will have to get something to clear the spigot's passage way in order for melted soap to flow out. Another minor thing is that after awhile clear glycerin soap may turn a light brown if you keep reheating it.

The person who allowed me try to her Presto Pot did not wash hers out after each use. So, I cannot report on how this product cleans up. But overall, I would purchase this item over "Life of the Party's" Soap Kettle. If you are interested in this piece of equipment to melt your glcyerin soap, check out Ebay and search for Presto Pot w/Spigot or Melting Soap Pot.

So, if you creating melt and pour soap at home to sell on Etsy or someother online selling venue than this is the perfect piece of equipment for you!

Soap Melting Pot

When I first learned how to make melt and pour soap, I learned to melt the soap base with a microwave oven. I have tried it in a "Soap Kettle" by Life of the Party which is a glorified rice cooker. I found it to be messy to use and the clean up was impossible. Then I tried using a crock pot. It took forever to melt the soap and like the Soap Kettle it was messy to transfer the melted soap. But it was alot easier to clean. By accident I found this piece of equipment that may solve the problem of melting large amounts of soap without making a messy. It is a Presto Kitchen Kettle which has been converted to melt soap or wax. Basically it is a electric stock pot (I am guessing 4-5 quarts) with a brass spigot mounted on the side for easy transfer of melted soap.

I found this melting pot on Ebay by doing a search on soap melting pots. The average cost is between $48 to $50. Here is the description provided:

THIS IS A NEW PRESTO MELTING POT CONVERTED FOR CANDLE OR SOAP MAKING .

IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A BRASS SPIGOT MOUNTED ON THE SIDE TO HELP KEEP OUT DIRT AND DEBRIS FROM GETTING INTO YOUR CANDLES OR SOAP CREATIONS.

HAS TEMP CONTROL TO KEEP WAX OR SOAP AT DESIRED TEMP.

THE BRASS SPIGOT HELPS WITH AN EVEN AND SMOOTH FLOW OF WAX OR SOAP.IT WILL HOLD APX 6-7lbs OF WAX. WE TEST ALL OF THE POTS BEFORE WE SHIP TO MAKE SURE THEY HEAT UP AND FOR CHECK FOR LEAK'S. WE USE WATER TO TEST THEM.

IF SPIGOT IS MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM DIRT WILL GET INTO YOUR CANDLES OR SOAP CREATIONS UNLESS IT IS FILTERED.THEN THE FILTER WILL GET CLOGGED. SO WHY TAKE THE CHANCE?

I HAVE SEEN OTHER MELTERS ON HERE THAT DO NOT HAVE A TURN DOWN FROM THE NIPPLE AT THE END OF THE SPIGOT. TO WHERE WILL CAUSE THE WAX TO FAN AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE A SMOOTH EVEN FLOW.

Now, I have not personally tried this pot but it may be a great alternative to a crock pot or soap kettle if you need to melt large quanities of soap for your homebased soap business. So all of you melt and pour soapmakers that sell online like on Etsy this is perfect for you.