Advice pretty please?

[Nanooo48]

I’ve always been afraid to use these in fear of melting them but I’ve finally found them at the dollar tree. I’ve seen so many videos with soapers using these mixing bowls.. but now that I’ve purchased them I see they say not safe for microwave use.. Sooo wouldn’t that make it unsafe for mixing lye water as it gets beyond 200 degrees at times? Has anyone here used these specific bowls before? Am I thinking too much into it? I’ve always prided myself on being a safe soaper, but have to admit I’ve always admired these bowls (even though I wanted the colorful ones lol) but anyone? Lol any advice would be greatly appreciated... For $3 I can always put them to other use...

 

[shunt2011]

They are fine. I use them all the time. I don't mix my lye directly in them though. I mix my lye in another container. However, I measure and microwave in these for my lard, shea, etc... The handles sometimes get cracked after a lot of use I just throw them away. They use to carry bowls that had handles on the outside. I liked them better. If you put too much in the ones you have a picture of it will spill out the handle.

 

[Nanooo48]

They are fine. I use them all the time. I don't mix my lye directly in them though. I mix my lye in another container. However, I measure and microwave in these for my lard, shea, etc... The handles sometimes get cracked after a lot of use I just throw them away. They use to carry bowls that had handles on the outside. I liked them better. If you put too much in the ones you have a picture of it will spill out the handle.

Oh yea I just peaked while reading your post. Looks like a fun slide for oils. Lol I’ll def keep that in mind. I usually just keep it to small batches. But I do double from time to time. Thank you for your response. I plan to soap after work tonight and was nervous to put these to use! I def won’t mix my lye in them. It does say not recommended for microwave use. Not Do Not use in microwave. I wonder if that makes a difference? Lol

 

[JanelleTrebuna]

I use these for the mixing, but not for microwaving the oils/butters. I do that in a microwave safe glass bowl and then pour into these. I mix my water/lye solution in another tall cylindrical plastic container from the dollar store and then combine the two in one of these and stick blend. I like these because of the pour spout. They make it easy to pour into my molds.

Janelle

 

[Nanooo48]

I use these for the mixing, but not for microwaving the oils/butters. I do that in a microwave safe glass bowl and then pour into these. I mix my water/lye solution in another tall cylindrical plastic container from the dollar store and then combine the two in one of these and stick blend. I like these because of the pour spout. They make it easy to pour into my molds.

Janelle

Hmmm so you never microwave in these? I usually use the same rubbermade microwave safe items but they are getting worn. So I picked these up. I’m trying to limit the amount of dishes guilty. But I want to keep it safe. I’ll spend the money and keep doing what I am if needed.

 

[artemis]

Hmmm so you never microwave in these? I usually use the same rubbermade microwave safe items but they are getting worn. So I picked these up. I’m trying to limit the amount of dishes guilty. But I want to keep it safe. I’ll spend the money and keep doing what I am if needed.

I microwave in them.

 

[Obsidian]

I also microwave them. You aren't heating the oils really hot, just enough to be melted clear.

 

[shunt2011]

Oh yea I just peaked while reading your post. Looks like a fun slide for oils. Lol I’ll def keep that in mind. I usually just keep it to small batches. But I do double from time to time. Thank you for your response. I plan to soap after work tonight and was nervous to put these to use! I def won’t mix my lye in them. It does say not recommended for microwave use. Not Do Not use in microwave. I wonder if that makes a difference? Lol

I've been using them for years in the microwave. You're not cooking the oils you are just warming them.

 

[cmzaha]

I really hate those dollar store mixing bowls, but of course, I am the minority here. I find they are just to flimsy and tip over easily. It is not just me that I have seen tip them over, more than once, I have attended the soap collective class and watched girls spill raw batter all over their working area. What really irritates me is the instructor sells the darn things to them.

 

[steffamarie]

I microwave them. They're pretty much all I soap in and they've worked great so far. They are a little flimsy so when pouring you really need two hands when they're full. I almost never carry it only by the handle because it is a little floppy, I just pick it up by the sides with my two hands. So far, no issues, and I'm pretty clumsy. I'm sure I'll knock one over one of these times, but then I'm a hazard to just about any vessel I'd choose.

 

[amd]

I have several that have been with me since my first batch of soap (Five years in February!) and are going strong. I do not mix NaOH in them, but do add lye solution to oils in them and mix from there. I have also microwaved them, but I only microwave for a minute or two (just enough to get my 65% hard oil masterbatch to a liquidy state). I haven't tried to full-on melt any hard fats in them, or m&p or even stearic acid or beeswax - I prefer glass measuring cups for the last two - I didn't even realize that they said "do not microwave"! I do not lift them by the handle either, as mentioned it is flimsy. Make sure to get the ones with the flat bottom, and don't leave your stick blender in the bowl to avoid tipping.

 

[jcandleattic]

I'm with most others here, I use them, and microwave them and have for years, never once a mishap. I don't mix lye in them though, I use my stainless steel bowl for that. I also don't use more than 32 oz of oils in them.

 

[SoapAddict415]

I microwave them. They're pretty much all I soap in and they've worked great so far. They are a little flimsy so when pouring you really need two hands when they're full. I almost never carry it only by the handle because it is a little floppy, I just pick it up by the sides with my two hands. So far, no issues, and I'm pretty clumsy. I'm sure I'll knock one over one of these times, but then I'm a hazard to just about any vessel I'd choose.

Ditto for me. I never paid attention to the label when I bought them so I didn't know you weren't supposed to microwave them. I've never had a problem with them. I use them to warm my oils or melt my hard oils and then I let my butters melt in the warmed oils. I've never mixed my lye water in them. I prefer a heavier, taller pitcher for that. But I do mix my soap in them. So far I've only tipped it over once but it was on an uneven surface at the time.

 

[Lin19687]

I DID mix lye and water in these in the past around 2002. They flake off.
So don't use for straight lye water. Ok for soap batter though

 

[earlene]

I don't know if I use the exact same brand or not, but I do have some that look a lot alike that I use for mixing soap batter. Not for mixing lye. I prefer tall containers with lids for mixing my lye. But for mixing the soap batter itself, these pitcher-type mixing bowls work quite well, plus they can be used for pouring the soap into the mold if sturdy enough. However, some of them that I have bought at cheaper stores aren't very sturdy and I don't feel safe pouring when completely full.