Teach Soap

So my husband and I are taking a trip to what's called The Restaurant Store here in pa tomorrow. They basically sell anything you could want or need in a kitchen or restaurant. "With a vast array of over 40,000 restaurant supplies to choose from at unbeatable wholesale prices, The Restaurant Store is sure to have all of the products you need with the savings you crave."

Sooo does anyone have suggestions for soaping supplies I could pick up tomorrow??
I'm pretty much brand-new to soaping, so I could use basically everything.
I got a double boiler maker today (present from the husband) from our local Homebrew shop.

I was thinking of looking for at least a small whisk for mixing in colorant.

Any and ALL suggestions welcome!

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Jen
"Soap and water and common sense are the best disinfectants." William Osler

Stainless steel pot that's truly stainless steel
goggles
disposable gloves
a stick blender if they have one
silicone spatulas
freezer paper if you line your moids
small stainless cups to measure essential or fragrance oils in.

I have to go, but I'll be back later when I think of anything else.

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

Thanks, Irena. I appreciate the help

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Jen
"Soap and water and common sense are the best disinfectants." William Osler

Any container with a handle AND a spout for pouring....is better, IMHO. So when given a choice, I'd choose that form factor over the typical stainless steel pot handles.

Also prefer gloves that go up to the elbows or nearly...way to easy to push one's sleeves up the arm exposing forearm to hot batter splashes.

I bought one of those rocker style pizza cutters for my sheet style soaps. It was a bit pricey ( I hid the reciept when I got home LOL). but man oh man, I love it when cutting that type of soap. Much easier to get a nice straight line.

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Dawn

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

I wouldn't go too crazy spending -- make sure you enjoy it first! That being said:

a candy thermometer
a deep heavy plastic pitcher for stirring your lye water
Heavy plastic spoon for stirring lye water
Silicone ice cube or cupcake pans to use as individual soap molds
Stainless steel measuring spoons
Squirt bottles (you know, like the ones for ketchup & mustard

I do not use freezer paper to line my molds. I use Ruffies plastic garbage bags. The 13 gal ones are the perfect size for my Home Depot plastic box mold. I also use a cooling rack under my mold while it is setting up for air circulation. I probably would not get the stainless steel pot there because the ones they most likely have are probably outrageously priced. You can get one at Walmart for less than $20.

Have fun! I love those shops.

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

So, how'd it go at the restaurant store? What did you end up getting?????

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Jen
"Soap and water and common sense are the best disinfectants." William Osler

I have cats and birds and I do mine inside. I just make sure I've got a fan on for ventilation. The fumes are only bad while you're mixing and then they go away.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

The first time I used lye I could smell the fumes and that's because I was standing too close. Now I stand an arms length away and really can't smell it at all.

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I would answer that but my mind is giving me the silent treatment right now!

I make my soap in the garage by my inside door, but with the garage door cracked open a foot. I could just as easily do it in my kitchen by the window. The fumes are only for a couple of minutes and you do need ventilation. My bigger concern was me making a mess, so I have a melamine credenza I use. I expect to use it in my kitchen eventually.

I would definitely put the cats in the bedroom and lock them in . . . perhaps with the hubby, too, unless he's going to soap with you. You want to be able to concentrate on what you are doing, especially being new at it.

Please remember the following things:

Suit up in safety goggles that fit over any glasses you wear, gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and shoes (I wear old crocs).
Add the lye to the water NEVER water to lye. This is where you get the fumes.
Melt the solid oils and add the liquid oils to them.
Add the lye water to the oils NEVER oils to lye water

Safety first . . .but it is fun!