Looking for wood soap loaf mold

[MelissaG]

I'm not sure what section of the forum to put this in so if you need to move it, go ahead.

I have two 5lb molds from Nurture Handmade. While I love the company, I don't know why the silicone causes me problems. The bottom of the loaf is always much softer than the top, and from the looks of it, I need to increase the amount I can make at once. I've tried lowering the water amount by several different amounts, sodium lactate, salt, lowering soft oils, and everything else possible to stop this problem. Usually, I get a bit of overheating so the loaf cracks on the top too.

I live in Louisiana so humidity is just a reality of life and my making area is the furthest area of the house away from the AC and the heater. Given my house is 1540 sq feet, there's only so much I can do, and I can't afford the expense of a dehumidifier.

So I'm wondering if a wooden mold would just be better. But I want to keep the soap the same size as the bars I have now. The molds inside with the silicone are 18 inches long, 3.5" wide and 2.5 inches high. It's been surprisingly difficult finding anything that's 3.5" wide. I'd make my own but I don't have saws and stuff in my house and it seems ridiculous to buy one just for this and nothing else plus it would take alot more physical effort than I'm good with given that I have bronchitis.

Can you suggest somewhere I can buy this from?

 

[akseattle]

@MelissaG , this might be a dumb question, but doesn't Nurture Handmade sell wooden molds to fit all their silicone molds? It seems like that would be the least expensive route since you wouldn't have to buy another silicone mold. Plus, you like the size. If not, maybe you can go to a local lumber store and see if they can recommend someone. I got a referral to build a fence at my house like that. I just went and said "do you have customers who come in and buy lumber for fences?" They gave me a few names.

 

[Relle]

My suggestion would be to take your mould to a wood working group or association and see if they can make them for you, usually they are not expensive and happy to help out. Dh, belongs to a Men's Shed here in Oz and they get people wanting help for different things, there is always someone that will make it.

 

[Firefly24]

I live with humidity also. Have you tried any Sodium Lactate? Waiting longer to unmold? Pulling the sides of the silicone away from the soap a day later and then the day after unmolding it. Get a fan in your soap area, it has helped me out.