Thread: Soap Dishes

Originally Posted by fccexpert

All soaps can be melted, it is just a matter of proper processing technique.

+1 I agree but would rather not melt my soap.

1. I know I won't be patient enough to slow melt a triple milled nor do I own a double boiler or fondue set.
2. I've heard that heating too high can kill the essential oils.
3. I would be too tempted to use the microwave (which I've heard is a really bad idea with a lot of soaps).
4. I could just as quickly grate the soap, press it into whatever container I want, not risk anything such as a separation or inconsistency of ingredients, have the ability to blend soaps without worrying too much, and if I desired a stick, it would seem safer to press into one rather than try to pour lava hot soap into one.


While scouring some other forums I found some information regarding glycerin soap vs. triple milled and found it to be very educational. I can't remember the link, I know there is one discussion at least on here somewhere. But to save a long explanation google it sometime the info is out there if you are interested in the differences and what not.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Although I have heard of this possibility of the fact that "Milled" soap are meltable I have even asked some of the experts at this to do a guide for doing it.. No one has stepped to the plate, I have also heard now that by doing this you do change the soap so if that is true then that technique is useless for us... I still just grind them and press them until one of you experts shows us the way....

Milled soap have by definition been melted (rebatched) at least once, that is what is ment by milled soap. The process is:

Mill (i.e. grind, grate)
Heat to soften (usually with a small amount of water to prevent scorching)
Place in molds and allow to harden

Triple milled soaps have gone through this 3 times (so much for the statement that you cannot melt a milled soap).

If the soap contains any volatile essential oils, these may be lost in the process. Some dies may degrade changing the color of died soaps.

You need to keep the temperature low, hence the use of water baths for heating (max temperature 212 deg F, the soap will not get that hot).

Never use a microwave, soaps, especially superfatted soaps, will absorbe microwaves directly and will almost certainly overheat.

Originally Posted by wolfmanXIII

I've been trying to find a good cheap soap dish (that I could buy six or more of) preferably ceramic that has a lid. Unfortunately in my hunt all I usually come up with are ones without lids or ones with lids that are $15 to $20 a pop. I'm currently using small ceramic dessert dishes, but have no lids and am concerned about the soap oxidizing due to being out in the open like that. Any thoughts or suggestions on this?

I was hunting around on a website for a store that is close to me and found these..... Kingsley Dark Wood Shave Bowl with Lid Just another afordable option that is not glass.


Thanks

Jeremy

Originally Posted by JeremyP

I was hunting around on a website for a store that is close to me and found these..... Kingsley Dark Wood Shave Bowl with Lid Just another afordable option that is not glass.


Thanks

Jeremy

I have like 4 of those and they do a decent job. However they smell like lacquer for days and days. they look great though

Originally Posted by wolfmanXIII

So far it seems like the sugar bowl thing is unanimous...they look pretty nice so thanks for those suggestions guys, hopefully I'll be able to find the $3 ones. I was really hoping to get something with a flat top to it so I could stack them if need be since at the time being my "shave den" is pretty much all of my shaving stuff sitting on top of my dresser in cigar boxes and my soaps sitting in little open dessert dishes up there too. So, unfortunately I'm quite limited for space especially since my cigars, pipes, pipe tobacco, single malts etc. are taking up my closet shelves. I have quite a few soaps for the time being, but am hoping to narrow it down to my favorites and stick with those and maybe just keep one new one to try out on hand at any given time, so maybe the sugar bowls will be good once I get to that point. I'd really like to get my hands on one of those Tabac dishes that the soap comes in, but I haven't ordered anymore since the refill puck I bought initially lasts forever (can't complain though) and maybe the Mitchell's Wool Fat one too, but that one's a little more expensive in comparison with the refill puck for some reason, so I haven't decided whether or not to take that dive yet.

I recently stumbled upon these Pyrex bowls. Pyrex® Products – Making Cooking a Little Easier They are perfect for me and even come with the plastic lid. I found them at Wal-Mart in a 4-pack for about $9.00
They work perfectly for me and they are cheap enough that I don't feel guilty buying several of them for my soaps.

Originally Posted by fccexpert

Milled soap have by definition been melted (rebatched) at least once, that is what is ment by milled soap. The process is:

Mill (i.e. grind, grate)
Heat to soften (usually with a small amount of water to prevent scorching)
Place in molds and allow to harden

Triple milled soaps have gone through this 3 times (so much for the statement that you cannot melt a milled soap).

If the soap contains any volatile essential oils, these may be lost in the process. Some dies may degrade changing the color of died soaps.

You need to keep the temperature low, hence the use of water baths for heating (max temperature 212 deg F, the soap will not get that hot).

Never use a microwave, soaps, especially superfatted soaps, will absorbe microwaves directly and will almost certainly overheat.

OK first off this doesn't work, I have read it, and tried it about 2 years ago,,,My target soap was MWF for a reference point..
Second honestly you lost me at the, add water to the soap, but I tried it anyway, and no it did not work...

So try it, illustrate it, (take pics) step by step, and post it, PLEASE!!! if anyone can get a Milled soap to melt neatly into a bowl without changing (wrecking) the soap...
BTW I am serious here not being facetious I really wanna know if it can really be done ...
Mitchell's Wool Fat is the target soap...

@Jeremy-Thanks for the suggestion, I've been looking at those on other sites and had been thinking about buying them. The biggest complaint I keep hearing are that they aren't tall enough to accommodate most shave soaps, that and the lacquer smell. I may buy one just to check it out though cause I like the look of them.

@Yosh-Thanks for the pyrex suggestion, I had actually been looking at those and wondering how well they worked, but never tried them out. I may have to try this out too, cause I'm all about saving some money!

By the way, speaking of Mitchell's Wool Fat, I've heard a lot about it. Has it done you guys good so far? I really want to buy the soap with the container, but on every site I've looked the refill is $30 less than the soap with container, to me $30 seems a little steep for a ceramic container. Have you guys found any sites that sell it at a lower price?

Originally Posted by yosh

I recently stumbled upon these Pyrex bowls. Pyrex® Products – Making Cooking a Little Easier They are perfect for me and even come with the plastic lid. I found them at Wal-Mart in a 4-pack for about $9.00
They work perfectly for me and they are cheap enough that I don't feel guilty buying several of them for my soaps.

I have been using these for years and either melt or mill my soap pucks into them. Check your local dollar store for an even cheaper price.

Hey, for what it's worth, there are these: Travel Tub Travel Tub [other07] - $1.80 : Mama Bears Soaps and Gift Shop , Mama Bears Shaving Soaps and Bath Products for the Discerning Gentleman and Lady They aren't ceramic, and they don't look too fantastic... But they are flat topped, the perfect size, and they can take a ton of abuse... So, thats what I recommend...

Cheers,
Jeremy

Originally Posted by gssixgun

OK first off this doesn't work, I have read it, and tried it about 2 years ago,,,My target soap was MWF for a reference point..
Second honestly you lost me at the, add water to the soap, but I tried it anyway, and no it did not work...

So try it, illustrate it, (take pics) step by step, and post it, PLEASE!!! if anyone can get a Milled soap to melt neatly into a bowl without changing (wrecking) the soap...
BTW I am serious here not being facetious I really wanna know if it can really be done ...
Mitchell's Wool Fat is the target soap...

The method of grating with a cheese grater works wonders. It is fine enough that you can push it into the bowl/container of your choice and firm it down. Outstanding results. Use the back of a spoon to smooth down and it looks as if it was perfectly melted in there. Again, outstanding results.

Try it with a Williams Mug soap ($1) and see what you think. You can't go wrong. Works wonders.

PM me if you need link to how this works...