Mixer question

[Vivi Henn]

Hello! I am super new here, and have a few questions.
I've watched a few vids on soap making, and looks like a lot of people use little hand mixers for mixing the oils/lye solution in order to get a good stir, and get it done faster.

My hubby has a paint mixer that you screw into a drill and turn it on and go. He bought it for mixing beer stuff (he's a homebrewer) but never used it and said I could have it if I needed it. Here's a link: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... ogId=10053

My question is, is can I use this? Will the plastic react badly with the lye? I've seen a lot of videos where people mix the lye & water in a plastic jug - and I would think that would be dangerous...
Or will it spin too fast and furiously?

Any advice would be appreciated! I am looking to start acquiring equipment for my new hobby (I haven't started making soap just yet, but am doing all my homework on it first!)

Thanks Much!
~Vivi

 

[Sunny]

if it's not stainless steel, or you can't tell 100% that it is stainless, i personally wouldnt use it. lye reacts with other metals

if you are new and making small batches, this might be too big/too powerful for you - 1 and 2 lb batches are kind of small to put in a bucket BUT i havent used one of those before, it may work just fine!

you could at least try it out if it is stainless. if you cant tell, i would just go ahead and buy a stick blender instead

 

[carebear]

plastic is fine. the only concerns are metals - aluminum will react with lye, and cheap-o stainless can promote DOS.

the paint mixer looks fine - I don't think aluminum would be used for such a product - it's not strong enough for that type of application.

 

[ToniD]

You just have to make sure it would not splash or incorporate air into your soap.

 

[Vivi Henn]

Great! Thank you everyone for your advice!! I was more worried about the plastic than the metal... Now I know it should be the other way around!!

Happy Soaping!

 

[honor435]

if its just a hobby then you will prob making 2 lb batches? i would buy a stick blender they work great.