Loaf Mold Needed for 2.75" width bars by 18" long loaf (ish)

[DextrousM]

Hello Everyone!

It has been forever since I have read or posted. Mil fam here and have had to move a couple of times and I'm getting back into CP soaping and I'm finding that my soap molds are just a little bit too large for the soaps I want to make (or to compete with DR Squatch!) - my current are 3.5" wide - much too large.

I'm looking to find some sort of mold as mentioned - 2.75" wide by at least 3" tall but not too tall (looking to make square bars, not tall bars (I see some 2" wide one, def not looking to do that). And the loaf molds would ideally be 18" long to fit my cutter.

I guess forcraftssake.com went under? I bought some custom molds from them yeeaarrss ago, yet those were a bit fiddley.

Ideally I like a good silicone lined wooden mold like nurturehandmade.com makes (used to be nurture supply when I last purchased from them)...

Anyhow, I would really appreciate the help. I've been looking on and off for weeks and I thought you experts here might know some sources immediately so I thought I would give you all a try.

Thanks in advance!
~M

 

[justsomeguy]

10x3x2.7

16x2.5x4.5

Closest I recall seeing to what you're looking for.

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

Custom Craft Tools will make exactly the dimensions you want @DextrousM. I have several of their molds and love them. I use Mylar sheets for liners instead of silicone. Mylar sheets have the advantage of being scaled to any and all custom sizes.
Here is one 18” mold that could be customized:
https://customcrafttools.com/products/3-7-lbs-large-soap-mold-classic-with-easy-open-tabs
Here is another option with dividers:
https://customcrafttools.com/products/5-lbs-soap-mold-with-dividers
And you can get lids for them.
I have this TS mold with Mylar (says plastic) liners:
https://customcrafttools.com/products/2-4-lbs-medium-heavy-duty-clear-soap-mold
I can purchase Mylar replacement sheets on Amazon and cut them with a paper cutter. (Clear Mylar is available.)
And no, I’m not connected to the company, just a long time fan.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

Or, use two of the very economical loaf molds that are available on Amazon? I’m still using the two I bought back in 2019.

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

Or, use two of the very economical loaf molds that are available on Amazon? I’m still using the two I bought back in 2019.

I also use those Amazon molds, and they do seem to fit exactly what @DextrousM seems to be looking for, don’t they @Mobjack Bay? I have been contemplating getting this 6 pack with lids for teaching a class. Can’t beat the price and the silicone liners are replaceable. They work best with a piece of Mylar cut-to-size at the bottom of the liner, which will facilitate a break in the airlock to release the soap from the liner.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

I also use those Amazon molds, and they do seem to fit exactly what @DextrousM seems to be looking for, don’t they @Mobjack Bay? I have been contemplating getting this 6 pack with lids for teaching a class. Can’t beat the price and the silicone liners are replaceable. They work best with a piece of Mylar cut-to-size at the bottom of the liner, which will facilitate a break in the airlock to release the soap from the liner.

I like the idea of using mylar to line a mold, but I don't think I've ever had the "airlock" problem with any molds except a little square test mold. Maybe that's because I use a high lye concentration and my soap gets fairly firm (aged cheddar) within 18 hours? I just peel the corners of the liner back over one end of the loaf.

 

[justsomeguy]

I like the idea of using mylar to line a mold, but I don't think I've ever had the "airlock" problem with any molds except a little square test mold. Maybe that's because I use a high lye concentration and my soap gets fairly firm (aged cheddar) within 18 hours? I just peel the corners of the liner back over one end of the loaf.

I'm always afraid of the mold just splitting if I do that peel thing

 

[Mobjack Bay]

I'm always afraid of the mold just splitting if I do that peel thing

I'm not entirely sure what you mean, but it really depends on the type of liner. The liners that come with the Amazon molds are tough. I've made 100s of loaves of soap in them over the past 5 years and the liners are still going strong. The liners in my Workshop Heritage molds (two slabs and a loaf mold) seem a bit fragile, so I peel very carefully. The liner for my Nurture loaf mold and a CCT slab mold are too rigid/stiff to peel back, but there's no need because I can always get the loaf or slab to drop out with a little pressure on the bottom of the liner.

 

[justsomeguy]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean, but it really depends on the type of liner.

In videos I see the peeling, there's usually a white line where the edges meet.

The liners that come with the Amazon molds are tough. I've made 100s of loaves of soap in them over the past 5 years and the liners are still going strong.

I've not made hundreds yet, but the silicon does seem to be very strong in the 42oz molds. I always destroy the corner tips of my soap loaf though

Edit: fixed a typo and clarified "tips"

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

Mylar lining is good for preventing rare silicone rash during CPOP.

This is the test mold the gets an airlock for me @Mobjack Bay. Same for you? This is the mold that got me started on using Mylar at the bottom. Some of my Amazon liners aren’t flat enough anymore, and Mylar helps with that, too.