Thread: Does alum melt?

Hey guys.

So, I am about to go and pick up some alum crystals at an Asian supermarket later today. But, I highly doubt that it will be in a shape I want to use on my face! So, can it melt?

Thanks guys!!

Parker

Yes. Given a high enough temperature, anything will.

Hi Parker,

It'll melt eventually, but I don' know what temp.you'll need. You might be able to Google it. But unless you're using it to make pickles, why not just get an alum stick? They're not that hard to find.

Lets rephrase. In a microwave oven or o the stove?

Originally Posted by roughkype

Hi Parker,

It'll melt eventually, but I don' knowwp

Eh OK.. well, its cheap so worth a try!

Originally Posted by parkerskouson

Eh OK.. well, its cheap so worth a try!

yes try it but why?

Just found a random blog on Google from like 4 years ago. It says about 200 degrees.. I can do that on the stove!!

I wanna try so instead of odd shaped crystals, it can be the shape of either a bar of soap, like normal, or a puck of soap for easy face running!

Also, I've been looking for an alum stick in stores around here. I cant find one anywhere! Its all the same stuff right?

Try beauty supply houses or look at the deoderants at a natural grocers. Some of those are just alum sticks. Or barber supply places or just order one online. I don't like the idea of melting some on the stove. DEFINITELY don't try it in the microwave. M'waves work by jiggling water molecules (and other molecules of similar size) together, the heat is from friction. So either it wouldn't work or, by chance, it would, but you wouldn't have the boiling point of water to set an upper limit on your temperature.

If you try it on the stovetop, I'd recommend a steel pan, not glass or ceramic. Can't promise the melted alum won't react with the pan metal. and again, since you won't have the boiling point of water to fix your upper temp, a glass or ceramic pan might not be suitable. I know you're not supposed to melt sugar in those 'cause it gets too hot.

How about just moistening it a little, shaping it into what you want, and leaving it out to dry in the hot sun?

Originally Posted by roughkype

Try beauty supply houses or look at the deoderants at a natural grocers. Some of those are just alum sticks. Or barber supply places or just order one online. I don't like the idea of melting some on the stove. DEFINITELY don't try it in the microwave. M'waves work by jiggling water molecules (and other molecules of similar size) together, the heat is from friction. So either it wouldn't work or, by chance, it would, but you wouldn't have the boiling point of water to set an upper limit on your temperature.

If you try it on the stovetop, I'd recommend a steel pan, not glass or ceramic. Can't promise the melted alum won't react with the pan metal. and again, since you won't have the boiling point of water to fix your upper temp, a glass or ceramic pan might not be suitable. I know you're not supposed to melt sugar in those 'cause it gets too hot.

How about just moistening it a little, shaping it into what you want, and leaving it out to dry in the hot sun?

Hmmm, good idea! I'll just look at the supermarket for deodorant and see if it is there!

If not, the moistening is a really good idea! I'll try that is all else fails.

Look in first aid, too. Alum sticks are used to stop bleeding, after all.