Building the lather is the important issue.....I have a regular old spice mug, which works fine. If yo want heat you just shake the brush out and wave it under the faucet (hot water) shake once hardin the sink and keep building your lather..I have since switched to a lower, wider profile pewter (cause it heats faster) old candy dish with a coffee mug type handle...While I am buildig lather I turn the dish lightly side ways under the faucet to heat it up prior to the spread on the face....this has wokrred out to be the cheapest and best way so so far...That being said, I wouldn't utrn down a scuttle because I do like warm lather. But what I have works until I can afford to become one of the rich and fammous few :0 who have dirty birds. ...As for hand building or face lather building...I can't seem to get it hot enough....I need heat for my shave....