Glass or plastic?

[Cookie]

Hi,

A couple of questions while I wait to soap again

So, the teacher at the class I went to recommended the use of Pyrex glass jugs for soaping. Some info I've come across agrees with this. Other info says don't use glass because the lye causes it to etch and eventually crack. That it's best to soap with good quality plastic jugs.

If this is true it's a bit of a bummer because I spent a bit buying Pyrex in three different sizes. What's the general consensus?

Second question - if I move over to plastic is a Decor jug considered good quality? (I'm in Australia if that brand isn't familiar). Should it be hard plastic or a plastic that you can squash a bit?

Third question - what can I do with my Pyrex? If they are cleaned thoroughly can they be used for cooking? Or is it best not to risk it and use one for weighing and combining oils when soaping? And chalk the expense up to a learning experience?

Thanks in advance :wave:

 

[shunt2011]

I highly recommend not using glass to soap with. The only time I use glass is for my EO/FO's. As for the best plastic I only use #2 or #5 plastic. However, that's in the US. Not sure if it's marked the same way where you are. You can also use the heavy duty plastic buckets from the hardware store to mix in.

 

[dixiedragon]

Your Pyrex is totally fine to cook with. I regularly use my glass measuring cups for making soap, lotion and food. I don't make the soap in the Pyrex b/c of what shunt said, but if I am doing different colors I will mix the lye + oils in my stainless steel pot, then pour the soap into my large (2 qt) Pyrex measuring cups. I also make lotion and lip balm in these cups.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

As above. Don't risk it.

They are great for all sorts of household things as well as lotions.

 

[Susie]

I use my Pyrex to measure my oils for soaping on a regular basis. But I only put lye into stainless steel or plastic with the 5 on the bottom.

 

[IrishLass]

When soaping, I'll use my pyrex for everything except for weighing, mixing, soaping or storing my lye. I've heard one too many horror story of the pyrex shattering out of the blue in the midst of someone's soaping session due to the chemical weakening of the glass over time from repeated exposure to the lye. Pyrex can take a lot of heat, but repeated chemical exposure to high pH substances like lye are like its kryptonite.


IrishLass

 

[Cookie]

Cool, thanks again everyone for all the great info. I will rearrange my supplies so I soap with plastic from now on. I'll check to see if plastic here has a number on it

 

[dillsandwitch]

I got some stainless steel bowls from Kmart. I think they were about $10 for a set of 3.

 

[Cookie]

Thanks, I'll check them out

 

[Relle]

The plastic here does have a number on it, you can use ice cream containers and use the pyrex for weighing out your oils.
Can I ask where you did the classes that they said to use pyrex ?

 

[Cookie]

Thanks for that info . I went to an evening college class. We were told Pyrex or plastic and only Pyrex was used in the demo so I went with that