It's a bowl within a cup. I use it to soak my brush then to keepo the brush warm. You fill the outside jacket with hot water then fill the "cup" with the same. After 10-15 minutes (while you shower) you empty both then fill the outer vessel with hot water again. I mix my lather in a bowl then p-lace the brush in the scuttle for warming. With a soap scuttle you use it for mixing up your lather from soap. the excess water drains into the vessel below.