Good vessel to mix 8 cups of oil + lye water

[jcandleattic]

I know this thread has mostly been about what to mix lye water in etc., but I just want to point out, you should always measure your oils, lye/water solution, etc., in weight and not volume. Since you said 'cups' I'm not sure. Get a good scale for soapmaking along with not using glass to mix your lye solution in.

I know others do it, but I'm of the opinion that just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD. Just because something untoward hasn't happened to others that are using glass mixing containers YET (no matter how long they've been doing it), doesn't mean it won't...

 

[TashaBird]

Since starting almost 7 weeks and 13 batches ago I have been using an 'old' pyrex 4-cup measure for my lye. It seems ok but after reading all this last night, I ordered a polypropylene 1000 gr pitcher for the lye. It arrives tomorrow or Thursday... no sense in taking chances

I’m 7 weeks and 13 batches in too!

 

[Rachel M.]

Pyrex is no longer a safe material to mix lye in. It just isn't. The day is coming when it will fail. Not maybe, it will. Hopefully it just cracks and all the lye runs out rather than a more "explosive" failure.

I use paint buckets or a stainless steel pot to mix my lye in, depending if I am masterbatching for multiple loaves or not.

Please make safe decisions, regardless of what good luck some certain people are having. You would think they would learn after the first cup broke, but apparently not.

What if I'm using a plastic container to mix my lye in and the container that my oils are in that I mix in is glass? Is that any safer?

 

[jcandleattic]

What if I'm using a plastic container to mix my lye in and the container that my oils are in that I mix in is glass? Is that any safer?

Not really, the raw soap still has active lye and the glass will eventually etch, and most likely shatter at some point.

 

[Rachel M.]

Not really, the raw soap still has active lye and the glass will eventually etch, and most likely shatter at some point.

Well, this is good to know. My husband bought me a giant glass measuring cup last night to make soap for my 3lb mold, since I'm uncoordinated and really need something with a spout to not drip. At least since I haven't used it yet I can navigate it to my baking cupboard instead.

 

[shunt2011]

Well, this is good to know. My husband bought me a giant glass measuring cup last night to make soap for my 3lb mold, since I'm uncoordinated and really need something with a spout to not drip. At least since I haven't used it yet I can navigate it to my baking cupboard instead.

Use plastic measuring bowls from the dollar store. They have a spout and handle. Glass is just not worth the risk. As I stated, I had a glass measuring cup shatter with tea in it. The tea had etched the glass. I could see the discoloration but didn’t give it a thought. Can’t imagine having lye or raw soap batter do that.

 

[artemis]

Well, this is good to know. My husband bought me a giant glass measuring cup last night to make soap for my 3lb mold, since I'm uncoordinated and really need something with a spout to not drip. At least since I haven't used it yet I can navigate it to my baking cupboard instead.

I know you said you're not going to use it, just thought it worth mentioning anyway for others considering it: another downside to the "giant glass measuring cup" style mixing bowl is that is heavy! Which makes it harder to hold on to when you are pouring your batter into the mold, and more likely to be dropped.

 

[IrishLass]

Below is a link to a very informative post I wrote 2 years ago about the dangers of using glass to mix lye solution. It is filled with posts from different soapers that have had their Pyrex and Pampered Chef glass pitchers break/shatter when soaping, and I also included in the post a handful of different educational links that explain what lye does to glass.

As I always say, mixing lye in glass is like playing Russian Roulette. You never know when it's going to go boom.

Here's the link to my post: https://www.soapmakingforum.com/thr...x-your-lye-and-water.68945/page-3#post-690284

IrishLass

 

[TashaBird]

Below is a link to a very informative post I wrote 2 years ago about the dangers of using glass to mix lye solution. It is filled with posts from different soapers that have had their Pyrex and Pampered Chef glass pitchers break/shatter when soaping, and I also included in the post a handful of different educational links that explain what lye does to glass.

As I always say, mixing lye in glass is like playing Russian Roulette. You never know when it's going to go boom.

Here's the link to my post: https://www.soapmakingforum.com/thr...x-your-lye-and-water.68945/page-3#post-690284

IrishLass

Wow!! Thank you!!
So now I’m trying to search online, because store shopping is difficult right now. I like the way my two quart Pyrex measuring bowl/cup has a spout for pouring. What are good qualities to search for, or links to your favorite tools?

 

[LBV]

I use stainless steel bowls for mixing my lye. I also went and purchased stainless steel jugs for mixing my soaps in. I went for commercial food prep equipment. I am really happy with my purchase. If is easy to pour and work with.

 

[Susie]

If you think you are in this for the long haul, go ahead and invest in commercial food prep equipment. It is an investment. A spendy one. But you keep resisting the idea of buying mixing bowls and measuring cups from the dollar store. Any reason why?

I happily use my leftover lard pails to mix in as they have a bail to hold on to, and is bendy enough that I can make a spout with them. And I use paint cups from Home Depot to mix colors in. I do have the plastic handled mixing bowls from Dollar Tree for when I run out of clean stuff, or need it for swirls. If I am making the 10 lb batches, I have a stainless steel stock pot, as it has handles on both sides, although it lacks a pour spout.

You don't have to spend a fortune to have good equipment. Just pay attention to the materials it is made from, and you will be safe and happy with it.

 

[shunt2011]

I use these for my lye if I don't have masterbatch done.

https://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Twist...3003060&sprefix=ziploc+storage,aps,210&sr=8-7
These for making my 60 oz oil batch

https://www.dollartree.com/plastic-mixing-bowls-with-handles-2frac12-qt/858618
Plastic buckets from Menard's, Home Depot or my stainless pot for really big batches.

 

[dibbles]

I have been using this for about 2 years and I really like it. Amazon.com: OXO Good Grips Batter Bowl: Mixing Bowls: Kitchen & Dining It is will hold a batch of 40-42 ounces of oils. If I need something for a bigger batch, I use a repurposed bucket as mentioned above. I use plastic 4 cup measuring cups I bought at WalMart and they have held up well for splitting and coloring.

 

[IrishLass]

Here are mine:

The middle pot is my main pot (stainless steel). I bought it way back in 2005 from Sur La Table. It has a 6-qt capacity if filled all the way to the top, but for all practical purposes, it soaps up to 4 qts of batter quite comfortably... basically, anywhere from a 1-lb batch up to a 5-lb batch. It doesn't have a pour spout, but I've never actually had any trouble pouring into my molds due to the handle on the side, which is a great asset to have on any soaping pot. It can also be heated directly on the stove up to medium heat, which is wonderfully handy.

The one on the right is a Pampered Chef stainless steel double-boiler pot, which soaps up to 1 quart of batter comfortably (a 1.3 lb batch). I use this for M&P, small batches of CP, my HP shave soap, and also for liquid soap-making. It can also be used on direct heat, as well as in the oven.

The plastic OXO one on the left soaps up to 2 quarts (a 2.7 lb batch) comfortably. The handle and pour spout are great assets

IrishLass

 

[TashaBird]

Here are mine:

The middle pot is my main pot (stainless steel). I bought it way back in 2005 from Sur La Table. It has a 6-qt capacity if filled all the way to the top, but for all practical purposes, it soaps up to 4 qts of batter quite comfortably... basically, anywhere from a 1-lb batch up to a 5-lb batch. It doesn't have a pour spout, but I've never actually had any trouble pouring into my molds due to the handle on the side, which is a great asset to have on any soaping pot. It can also be heated directly on the stove up to medium heat, which is wonderfully handy.

The one on the right is a Pampered Chef stainless steel double-boiler pot, which soaps up to 1 quart of batter comfortably (a 1.3 lb batch). I use this for M&P, small batches of CP, my HP shave soap, and also for liquid soap-making. It can also be used on direct heat, as well as in the oven.

The plastic OXO one on the left soaps up to 2 quarts (a 2.7 lb batch) comfortably. The handle and pour spout are great assets
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IrishLass

I’m ordering plastic ones tonight. I’ve been lucky so far I suppose. I’ve had enough painful learning mistakes lately. I don’t need a disastrous one! Thank you for all the info!