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Post by bearcreekfarm on Nov 25, 2016 17:06:48 GMT
I am going to make some oatmeal honey goat milk soap and have been looking at plastic soap molds. I am going to ask hubby to make me some wooden molds which I will use for the soap I make for our own use, but would like to make some molded bars to sell at the farmer's market next summer.
Looking online at suppliers' websites I have found a mold which I like. The description says that it makes a 4. something ounce bar, and there are three cavities per mold.
My question is this- do I need to buy enough of the molds to pour my entire batch of soap into at the same time? Or? How else would I do this, logistically?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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Post by Skandi on Nov 25, 2016 18:08:01 GMT
Yes you'll need enough, We've been making small bars in silicon forms, but found it limits how large a batch you can make before it gets too thick to pour. (it takes a while to get it into all the moulds) We're now making them in drainpipe!
And I wish we could just sell at market, the hoops one has to jump through here in Europe to get recipes ingredient etc registered, args.
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Post by bearcreekfarm on Nov 25, 2016 18:27:57 GMT
Drainpipe, as in a piece of pvc pipe? In one long "bar"? and then cut or slice to size? Trying to picture the process.
Maybe what I will do is buy a few molds, then still have hubby make me a wooden, or pvc pipe mold, then pour as many of the small shapes molds as I can and then dump the rest in the larger molds.
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Post by Skandi on Nov 25, 2016 20:10:59 GMT
Drainpipe, as in a piece of pvc pipe? In one long "bar"? and then cut or slice to size? Trying to picture the process. Maybe what I will do is buy a few molds, then still have hubby make me a wooden, or pvc pipe mold, then pour as many of the small shapes molds as I can and then dump the rest in the larger molds. Yes, I lined it with freezer paper taped up one end and filled it, then when it was hard slid it out and sliced. Gives nice round shapes which feel much nicer to hold that squares, you can apparently put the pipe in the oven and heat it to make an oval mold. I think a thin sheet of silicon would be better than the paper I use, and if you do use a pipe, don't make it longer than you can reach inside with a brush to clean, I did and it was a pig to clean out again! |
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Post by farmchix on Nov 26, 2016 10:05:01 GMT
Have your Hub make you a long shoebox looking box out of wood. Line that with freezer paper and it will make a large loaf that you can cut into bars.
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Post by mzgarden on Nov 26, 2016 12:12:52 GMT
Skandi, your idea is intriguing. Do you have any pictures? How do you line a tube with freezer paper? As you can tell, I'm envisioning-challenged. Drives DH crazy regularly.
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Post by Skandi on Nov 26, 2016 12:25:27 GMT
No I didn't take any pictures, but to line it I wrapped a piece of paper round the tube, and cut enough for a decent overlap, then rolled it a little, put it inside, where it naturally unrolls to fill the tube, I then marked it top and bottom where it met, took it out and taped it into that size on the outside. The bottom was more fun, but I did a bit of folding and lots of duct tape. leave enough paper sticking out the end to pull the soap out with when it's set.
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Post by farmchix on Nov 26, 2016 20:41:40 GMT
No I didn't take any pictures, but to line it I wrapped a piece of paper round the tube, and cut enough for a decent overlap, then rolled it a little, put it inside, where it naturally unrolls to fill the tube, I then marked it top and bottom where it met, took it out and taped it into that size on the outside. The bottom was more fun, but I did a bit of folding and lots of duct tape. leave enough paper sticking out the end to pull the soap out with when it's set. I use freezer paper and do this. I actually bought one of the "caps" they make for the plumbing PVC pipe that I use on the bottom. Then I stand it up and do nothing on the top. I don't bother with the tape on the inside. I just give enough wrap around the inside so I don't have to mess with it. |
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Post by bowdonkey on Nov 28, 2016 11:32:21 GMT
Untill you have a soap formula you know you like, I recommend small blender batches and using empty applesauce or fruit cups for molds. I have been using LEM food grade silicone spray for mold release lately. But vaseline works as well or better maybe.
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Post by Maura on Nov 29, 2016 0:10:03 GMT
I used PVC pipe for years. I didn’t line it and wish I had. If you slice it just right you will get the weight of bar you want. I made four ounce bars, and with a narrower pip I made 2 oz bars. People love the round shape.
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Post by farmchix on Nov 29, 2016 10:02:50 GMT
The 3" PVC is perfect for shave bars, if you have anyone who is still using the shave cup and brush.
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Post by Muller's Lane Farm on Dec 16, 2016 22:57:04 GMT
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Post by terrilynn on Dec 30, 2016 15:15:08 GMT
Something to think about (if you happen to have any lying around) are old candy molds. I had some that I didn't use for candy anymore (they were large..for candy...candy bar molds) and worked very nicely for my soap.
We weren't very prepared when we made our first batch ever and ended up scrounging empty plastic food containers from the recycle bin....and they worked great...except most were just one use....removing the hardened soap ruined the containers. My point is you may want to eye plastic containers in your kitchen and bathroom with a fresh eye towards using them as molds.
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Post by terrilynn on Dec 31, 2016 18:16:46 GMT
I wanted to add that the kids got a package of 48 AAA batteries for Christmas that came in a small plastic container. It is a small rectangle, about 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" and the bottom edge is fluted to accommodate the roundness of the small batteries.....I am claiming it as soon as the kids use up the batteries. Whenever I come across a nice plastic shape I stick it with my soap making supplies.
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Post by grannyg on Feb 11, 2018 4:40:13 GMT
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Post by LauraD on Feb 12, 2018 14:38:17 GMT
I get my half & half for my coffee in quarts, and have saved several of the containers to use as soap molds. While I haven't actually used them yet, I figure they should work just fine. I cut one of the long sides out, leaving enough of it at the top to bend down and act as a side so the soap won't go into the "roof" part of the carton. Add plastic wrap to prevent leaks, and it should be serviceable in a pinch.
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