Thread: How do you melt shaving soaps

I was woundering if anyone could help me on this subject. I tried to melt some Williams shaving soap and had no luck. I tried a double boiler method, pan on the stove with soap in it and I even tried with a electric candle incense burner with no luck.

I would like to buy some shaving soaps and melt them so I can put them into some small bowls with covers so I can use theme.

Any help would be great.

I used a spice grater to grate down a puck of Williams. When done I dumped the shredded soap into an Old Spice mug, then pressed it down with my fingers.

The grater method works for me. I tried a double boiler, but it was messy. I tried the microwave, but got mixed results.

A microwave works pretty well, BUT you have to go 15 secs at a time. I grate my combo up, mix it well, add glycerine if you want, 15 secs. Press back in, 15 secs. same. You can kill a soap by going too long. You never want to see it rising and coming to the top.
JMO

A tallow soap will usually cook and not melt. A glycerin soap will melt and other things may be added to it. It is very quick in a microwave.

The suggestions posted above are correct for tallow soaps.
I have made shave sticks that way from favored tallow soaps.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...cks-again.html
~Richard

For tallows, I just use a grater, and press the shavings into shape. No heat.

For glycerines, I grate them, then use the "defrost" setting on the microwave _just_ until they collapse. At just 160 degrees, glycerine soaps lose their scent.