melting soap into a container???

redcannon · 08-05-2008, 11:09 AM

Hey guys,
I just bought my first puck of soap (Van der hagen's select) and I was wondering how to get it to fit into a bowl I want to use for that purpose. I think I read some things about melting it in the microwave, but what are the details?

OLD_SCHOOL · 08-05-2008, 11:19 AM

First you need to know if its triple milled or glycerin soap.

If its triple milled, you will need to grate it and press it into a container, IIRC you need to add a tiny amount of water, but not 100% sure, so will leave this for the more knowledgeable.

If its a glycerin soap, you should use a double boiler, because microwaves can be tempermental (sp? )and bugger up your soap. Just melt it slowly then pour into your favourite container, and stir it as it cools, so that the clay does not settle.

redcannon · 08-05-2008, 11:20 AM

how can i tell if its tripple milled or glycerin? I think it is glycerin, but I'm not sure.

OLD_SCHOOL · 08-05-2008, 12:12 PM

Should say on the package I would imagine. But try the double boiler, if the soap don't start to melt, then its triple milled.

jockeys · 08-05-2008, 02:15 PM

you can use the microwave on glycerine soap with no ill effects if you don't cook it too long. do it in 30 second increments and you will be fine. i melt all of my soaps into small tupperware containers so that they have watertight lids and i can travel with them. never had a problem with nuking them.

clrobert60 · 08-05-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jockeys

you can use the microwave on glycerine soap with no ill effects if you don't cook it too long. do it in 30 second increments and you will be fine. i melt all of my soaps into small tupperware containers so that they have watertight lids and i can travel with them. never had a problem with nuking them.

Agreed - I've melted down VDH soap in the microwave to add scent to it. It melted very fast for me, I'd say start at 10 seconds and go from there. VDH lathers up very nicely, BTW.

gssixgun · 08-05-2008, 02:59 PM

Here's the trick on the Microwave -vs- Double Boiler....... Glycerin soap melts at around 160 F the problem is the scents and oils in there might have a different flash point and when you nuke is you "can" destroy the scent, doesn't mean you will but you can.... The double boiler method works and works rather quickly in fact if you are using glass bowls, you don't even have to melt the whole soap you stick the puck at the bottom and as soon as the soap melts enough to be a nice level smooth surface pull them out and yer done...

Here is a link that has a few ideas on how to get all yer soaps into containers....

The Shave Den Again !!!!!

Seraphim · 08-05-2008, 04:06 PM

Or, instead of heating up your soap, you can grate it like cheese, using...um...a cheese grater!

Take your new block of soap, grate it up, then take the shavings (gratings? shavlings?) and cram them into your new soap bowl of choice.

No worries about turning your nice new soap into molten slag.