Thread: Hot Lather Machines?

I had a lengthy discussion tonight with my son about hot lather machines. He became interested in them when his commanding officer(he is in the Navy) was speaking to his men about really treating themselves well. One of the things he mentioned was to be good to yourself, like using a hot lather machine. Sean calls me and asked if any of the guys on SRP use them. I said I did not recall the subject coming up. I did say that a lot of guys use lined mugs and pour hot water in the opening of the double wall - and that heats their lather. Some just put their mugs in the bottom of the sink with hot water surrounding the mug, etc..

I have no experience in regard to hot lather machines, but I feel that the lather could be a bit too thin, just my opinion, of course. I understand they take a liquid soap with water to produce the lather.

Do any of you have experience with hot lather machines, and, if so, what is your opinion of them for home use? I kind of feel that the quality of the lather wouldn't be up to our standards, but I don't really know.

Thanks,

Steve

If you are talking about Lather King machines they are really intended for barbershop use and they are well suited for that application. Unfortunately, most of us don't really require hot lather "on tap" all day long so it's a case of severe overkill.

Also, most prefer the quality of the lather you get from a brush and a quality cream or soap. You are correct about using a liquid solution in a Lather King and, even though you can add products to the lather mixture to improve it the end results generally fall short.

A better solution, IMO, is to use a scuttle, a quality brush and great soap or cream. The resulting lather might not be as hot as from a machine, but overall you will probably like it better.

+1 to what Bill said. I had a lather king years ago and you have to remember to plug it in, it gets soap scum inside that needs to be cleaned out and last but not least the lather is not as good as what you get with a brush and a good soap or cream. I've read about these currently made canned goo hot machines but have no personal experience with one of those.

Also last but not least with all these hot lather machines once the lather goes on it turns cold on your face in seconds.

As stated above, the lather king ones, well, suck. Even being a barber I wouldn't subject any of my customers to that lather.

The personal one that you hook your shave cans into are better...slightly.

I would say if you want quality lather, just get a mug, brush, and a puck of quality soap. Can't go wrong that way.

Originally Posted by avatar1999

As stated above, the lather king ones, well, suck. Even being a barber I wouldn't subject any of my customers to that lather.

The personal one that you hook your shave cans into are better...slightly.

I would say if you want quality lather, just get a mug, brush, and a puck of quality soap. Can't go wrong that way.

+1 to that!

This may be off topic but some members have mentioned scuttles and mugs. A member on B&B showed his idea for a DIY scuttle using two Korean earthenware bowls - one large and one small. I went to a Korean supermarket and bought these same bowls. The setup is amazing and keeps the lather nice and warm throughout the whole shave!

By the way the last photo is not my regular soap and a/s. I was trying out a few items from the Canadian travelling box.

Great idea, the two Korean bowls. I'll be looking. Thank you.

Not quite a machine, but when it comes to real HOT lather, this one works for me:

It was meant to heat chocolate I think...

Originally Posted by TuttoItaliaOnline

Not quite a machine, but when it comes to real HOT lather, this one works for me:

It was meant to heat chocolate I think...

It might be for fondue but not for chocolate by itself because the chocolate will burn. It could also be for potpurri + water.

Originally Posted by BanjoTom

Great idea, the two Korean bowls. I'll be looking. Thank you.

You're welcome. I live in Vancouver and the cost for me was $8.99 for the small bowl with lid and $11.99 for the large bowl with lid. We also have 12% tax on top. Unfortunately I was not able to buy the bowls separately so I use the lids to store my other stuff on the sink's countertop.