Teach Soap

Hi guys. I'm getting all my equipment and ingredients together to begin my very first batch of CP soap. I have a question about my lye solution container and the pot I will be melting oils and mixing with the lye until trace:

1. I plan on using a Rubbermaid pitcher for mixing the lye solution. I know I shouldn't use glass, so I am steering clear from it. I believe from what I've read that the plastic pitcher should have the #5 stamped on it (please correct me if I'm wrong), but I'm not sure how big the pitcher should be. It's easy to find a 2 quart pitcher, but I'm not sure if bigger (i.e., 4 quart) would be better. I plan on making up to 4 lb. batches at this point. What is recommended on size here?

2. I'm going to get a stainless steel pot for melting and mixing to trace, but again, want to make sure I'm getting the right size. In the "Everything Soap" book, the author recommends an 8 quart stock pot for 4lb recipes.....what size is everyone else using? I'm assuming if I get an 8 quart pot, I can use it for smaller recipes as well. Any recommendations/feedback?

Any help here would be great....thanks guys!!!!

For your first batch, I would go with 1 lb of soap. 2 quart pitcher and a 8 quart stainless pot will be fine. For a small batch, you might need to transfer your oils into another smaller container, otherwise you might get splashing, too many bubbles or uneven trace from your stick blender. Recalculate a small recipe into grams for better accuracy.

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

Thank you for the quick reply! I appreciate the help.

What do you suggest I use as the smaller container to mix all the ingredients on a small one pound batch?

And should I melt oils/fats in the steel pot and transfer to the smaller container, or just use a smaller container that I could use to first melt them (i.e., microwave) and then pour the lye into and mix to trace?

Alicia Grosso recommends a 4-cup pyrex measuring cup to make batches less than 4-lbs, but I am unsure about this. If the recommendation is to stay away from glass containers because of the lye etching the glass and eventually causing problems, then wouldn't this be true of the container you will mix the soap in (and not just the lye solution container)? Or am I wrong here, and a 4 cup pyrex container is ok for the soaping?

I went overboard at first stressing on what to use for equipment but here is what I actually use the most. I have a one gallon paint bucket with a spout that I mix larger batches in. (Maybe $3 at the hardware store, but Dollar tree has them as well) An old Tupperware pitcher that I mix the lye solution in and a 4 cup and a 2 cup pyrex measuring cup (from the thrift store) because I melt my oils in the microwave. I have a smaller mixing /pouring bowl that I picked up at the Dollar Tree (actually have a few of these) they look like a batter bowl with silicone on the bottom and a handle and spout. Works perfectly. These work great for separating and mixing colors too when I'm doing larger batches. Dollar Tree also has great finds to use as molds. I bought a stainless steel pot but never end up using it because the microwave is easier for me. I could have totally skipped that one. Some people really prefer to melt on the stove so you'll have to decide that one as you go. The only place to really splurge is on a good scale and a hand blender. I've collected a gazillion things but I use these the most. Don't think you have to spend lots of money to get going. Most everything can be found second hand or at Dollar Tree. Save your money for more ingredients because once you start you'll want to have as much soapy fun as possible

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

I use plastic paint buckets and plastic measuring cups/batter bowls in various sizes even though I did buy a stainless steel pot (rarely use it as I too mostly melt in the microwave). WildChick is right to save your money for ingredients later except for a good hand blender and good scale. I'd add a temperature gun as these are pretty inexpensive and don't need to be cleaned off. The other things to add might be silicone bowl scrapers and cheap stainless steel spoons and whisks/mini whisks. You can also use silicone loaf/brownie/muffin pans for molds.

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

Thank you for all the helpful and thoughtful replies....you guys are great! I think I will wait on the stainless steel pot and go for some heavy duty plastic containers to mix the soap in, and I will stick to a Rubbermaid pitcher to make the lye water in.

I've invested in a good scale and small laser gun style thermometer, and I actually made a wood loaf mold this past weekend. I got the measurements and made it myself....$14 of supplies and some time vs. spending ~40-50 for the same size being shipped to me....I think I did pretty well.

I got all of my plastic quart mixing cups and larger buckets at lowe's. They were super cheap and have measurement marks on the sides.

The brand name is "Measure-Right" mixing container from United Solutions. They are #5 PP (polypropylene) so they will handle heat up to 275 degrees F.

Smart & Final also carries heavy duty mixing containers.

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

Thank You....Thank You!