Bar sizes

[jenneelk]

I just cut a 10 lb batch that was done in a wooden mold.. but with my new 1 in cutter I didn't do the math and my bars are 8oz! I have 20 bars but even at 1 in they are huge!
Those who use longer molds.. do you not fill yours? I just can't imagine using a bar this size. :crazy: or do you maybe fill and then cut vertically down the middle? I haven't seen something like that but really this size is just redonkulous!

 

[Skatergirl46]

My family prefers a smaller bar so I cut the slices vertically down the middle and bevel the edges. It makes them easier to hold in the hand when they're wet. I also cut mine about an inch thick.

 

[tryanything]

What are the dimensions of the mold? I have one that is 3.5 inches wide by about 2.75 inches tall and 12 inches long (it's only a 2-3 lb mold). I only fill it to about 2.5 inches high and get bars that are a little over 5 oz when I cut them at one inch.

 

[mel z]

Holy Moly an 8 oz bar! Gotta' see a pic of that.

Most posts on bar sizes say 5 oz is the common size. For selling that is good, but for personal use I like them smaller, and do as mentioned above. Cut them at the 5 oz size, then cut down the middle to make 2 fat but small bars. So, don't try to cut the way you did with the cutter, just lay the bar down on the table completely flat and cut in half like cutting a sandwich down the middle for the little ones.

 

[jenneelk]

Here it is... I just don't know how well it will look if I slice it down the side.. it's a perfect square right now.
One behind a 4 oz bar and the other is a weight lifting bar in my hand! And I'm 5'8 with rather long fingers/hands.
Mold is 10 lbs and 20x3.75x3.5

 

[savonierre]

Could you cut them in half without ruining their beauty?

 

[Nightlilly]

From the picture of the bar in your hand, it looks like you could probably cut about an inch off of the bottom with out messing up the design or the pretty top. You could use the part you cut off for personal use, soap imbeds or balls. In the future I just wouldn't fill the mold all the way.

 

[jenneelk]

I might do the bottom half.. I could keep 20 mini bars for the kids to use. Would last a good while!
Thanks.. That might be better than vertical. I worry about how it will look that way, although they are pretty symetrical, they would be about 1.7 in by 3.75 so quite an odd shape

 

[Obsidian]

Good idea to cut the bottom off for mini bars or embeds. I have a mold that is 3.5" wide and 3" deep, I find those bars are a bit big for my small hands so I have to chop them in half. My other mold is 3" x 2.5" and is much more manageable, seems a good size for selling/gifting.

 

[heartsong]

holy cow, that's a big bar! that should last a good long time...perhaps not fill it all the way up next time? the width of the bar looks fine. they sure turned out pretty!

 

[Koshka]

Omg, those are huge! Maybe you can cut them in half vertically?

 

[Nightlilly]

I might do the bottom half.. I could keep 20 mini bars for the kids to use. Would last a good while!
Thanks.. That might be better than vertical. I worry about how it will look that way, although they are pretty symetrical, they would be about 1.7 in by 3.75 so quite an odd shape

I wouldn't cut off more than 1/3 from the bottom, if you cut more than that it would just look strange in my opinion.

 

[Paintguru]

May not want to fill it up so much in the future .

 

[DeeAnna]

Oy. Such a big bar you have there! Take a little off the bottom and a little off one side so the bar is closer to your "normal" bar dimensions? I know that's a lot of trimming. You could make a "patchwork" design soap out of the trimmings by putting them into a mold and pouring fresh soap batter over all. Might be a nice way to make lemonade out of lemons!

 

[kellistarr]

The bar is beautiful. It is hefty at 8 oz.but I like a big thick soap. Upon first cut, my bars usually weigh about 7oz and are 1 1/2 inch thick. But upon cure, the soap usually weighs 6.4- 6.6 and that's before I started discounting my water in my recipes. The bar will surely last!

 

[jenneelk]

Thanks.. I'm kinda liking the patchwork but not sure I can cut it.. 24 hours and its like a brick already.

Kelli crazy thing is this was water discounted at 30% water. Was thinking it might go to 7.5 or so?

 

[robtr31]

if these are Christmas presents , let the receiver cut them. keep them guessing what it all wrapped up. they will most likely be on display for Christmas in there homes.

nice bars

 

[mel z]

Those are lovely, but huge! That would never fit in my hand. I agree with robtr31. If these are presents send as is. How nice would that be to have one of a kind giant soap! Then just tell them they can cut them to size later. If selling, well, I would cut them in some way now so you don't have giant bars with giant price tags, then bevel the edges.

 

[Candybee]

That would be perfect for Paul Bunyun! LOL

I say cut in half right down the middle. Should look just fine.

 

[onugs]

That would be perfect for Paul Bunyun! LOL

I say cut in half right down the middle. Should look just fine.

^^^^ I agree ^^^^