Teach Soap

Background: I've been doing CP for about 9 years now. I started hand-stirring only and then quickly discovered a stick blender is your best friend. I've gone through three stick blenders and this one just died (I buy cheap, I admit it.) and I am just not in the mood to buy a new one. Hand-stirring again makes me cringe. Sooooo...

Does anyone here use their stand mixer to mix their soap? I have a Kitchen-Aid and I've seen a lot of sites that swear by using one for mixing. I'm wondering if you like using your stand mixer, if you don't like it, etc.

Also, do you have a dedicated paddle/bowl for soap making or do you just wash them very well after each use?

Thank you!

_________________
Darkness called... but I was on the phone so I missed it. -- WC III

I just started soaping a week ago and have been making castile soap. I have used my kitchen aid for the stirring and I think it works good. I don't have air pockets in my bars. The bowls and padles are easy to clean good so I haven't designated ones only for soap. Some people on here use their stuff only for soap. So I guess thats just up to you. I start out on stir and I don't turn up past 4. I hope it works out for you. I was thinking about gettiing a stick blender for when I make other soaps, but castile takes a long time to trace.

_________________
Loving making soap again!

Jamielynn

Stand mixers are really designed to whip air into soap - immersion (stick) blenders aren't. I'd get a new stick blender and go with that - they really seem to work best, IME.

_________________
http://www.magichandsworkshop.com
http://www.magichands.etsy.com
http://www.magichandsworkshop.blogspot.com

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

_________________
Darkness called... but I was on the phone so I missed it. -- WC III

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

I am not an experienced soaper because I have only made 4 batches so far. But I have used my stand mixer for 3 of them and there are no air pockets in my soap. I think as long as you don't turn it past four you are not whipping. When I whip my icing I turn it on about 8 in the end to whip.

_________________
Loving making soap again!

Jamielynn

I would use separate dishes for soaping than eating. There have been a couple times I was surprised by the not so pleasant taste of left over FO.

Are all the parts Stainless Steel or Plastic? If not, you will ruin your mixer soon! Please use separate tools for soap and food!

The bowls are stainless and the padles are either stainless or enamel. I don't use any FO or EO in my soap so I wasn't worried about the sent staying in the bowl.

_________________
Loving making soap again!

Jamielynn

Sgsoap -- LOL they're stainless steel, of course. I made the mistake of using a plastic bowl once, about 8 years ago. NEVER made that mistake again! The only plastic I use is the Rubbermaid pitcher in which I mix my lye and water. Everything else is stainless or glass!

ETA: The person who recommended the Kitchen Aid method said she NEVER turns it above the second setting. I think she said she goes on setting 1 until it thickens, and then 2 until trace.

_________________
Darkness called... but I was on the phone so I missed it. -- WC III

_________________
http://www.magichandsworkshop.com
http://www.magichands.etsy.com
http://www.magichandsworkshop.blogspot.com

_________________
Darkness called... but I was on the phone so I missed it. -- WC III

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