Teach Soap

I've seen a lot of people use infrared thermometer guns lately to get the temperature of their lye and oils. But, I also know quite a few soap-makers who just use an old-fashioned candy thermometer as well. What is your preference? I'm thinking of purchasing a gun myself, but gracious are there a lot to choose from. Any comments or opinions on brands are welcomed!

P.S. I have heard, and it has been confirmed by someone I know that works with them all the time, that with the gun you actually end up taking abut five different temperatures at different areas of your lye/oil bowl, as the it may vary, and then you average the numbers. Is that what you ladies and gentlemen do?

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Katie White
the Duchess of Suds

http://royaltysoaps.weebly.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RoyaltySoaps?ref=si_shop

I use a plain old $5-10 stainless steel shaft thermometer. I think the one I'm currently in possession of was $6 on amazon with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004 ... 02_s00_i03

Currently $8-something with free prime shipping (or order $25 or more to get free standard shipping - easy to do with a silicone mold for individual bars or a book or two). Most kitchen stores and places like Walmart tend to carry similar items.

Easy and cheap to have one of those each for lye solution and oils. Nice and cheap to replace. The issue with the infrared that I've read about is that you need to be stirring your mixture when you're using the gun, because it reads surface temperature only.

Personally, I'd rather risk dropping the low priced shaft in where I can fish it out with stainless steel tongs than an expensive infrared one.

I prefer a laser thermometer since it doesn't have to touch anything. Check out Harbour Freight, they normally have them in their web store. http://www.harborfreight.com/non-contac ... 96451.html

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

@VanessP I've read that a few places myself, about the gun only reading the top of the lye and oils and having to stir it while you take aim. Thanks so much for your comment and opions! I will certainly be taking that into mind when I make my next purchase, as my glass thermometer broke and I'm not cleaing up THAT mess again! LOL

@soapbuddy Oh, thanks so much for the link and yeah, I guess you don't have to touch anything when using a laser gun. Very helpful!

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Katie White
the Duchess of Suds

http://royaltysoaps.weebly.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RoyaltySoaps?ref=si_shop

I use a laser therm & love it!

My lye water is always a consistant reading, freshly stirred or not & I just stir my oils & then take the temp.

No clean-up (bliss)

I got an infrared from Amazon for less than $20, and I have never had any trouble with inconsistent readings. Maybe that person isn't aiming it properly. It comes with instructions and illustrations on how to achieve the most accurate reading.

Believe this is the one:

I did have a candy thermometer I used for MP when I first started soaping, but having to wash it so much it eventually started to leak water into it, and that made me nervous.

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Laura<3

I have one from harbor freight and love it. I started with a candy, went to digital and now laser. I usually just stir and then temp. Mine has a laser light to show me where I am aiming. Any thermometer if left in one spot could give different readings if the liquid is not stirred, especially if using the microwave you could get hot spots.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

I have both of them but I can not remember using the real (Lab thermometer) for at least a couple of years now. the infrared is soooo handy and you don't have to rinse it after any measurement

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Genius is 1 % inspiration and 99 % perspiration

I prefer the infrared laser thermometers, too. They're so much easier. I just give whatever I want to test for temp a quick stir and then aim at the middle. I haven't noticed inconsistent temp readings. I got a Ryobi laser thermometer at Home Depot for about $30 a couple of years ago and it's still going strong. BB also carries a laser thermometer: http://www.brambleberry.com/Mini-Temper ... P4848.aspx

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- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
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I'm glad to see that nobody else has experienced inconstant temperature readings. That is encouraging! Perhaps the person I know had a busted gun!

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Katie White
the Duchess of Suds

http://royaltysoaps.weebly.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RoyaltySoaps?ref=si_shop