Mixing soap in blender

[kattobrn]

Has anyone ever used a blender to mix their soap? I saw a pin on Pinterest, it looks interesting. How would one clean out the blender though? It seems like there would be quite a bit left in the blender after pouring into a mold. I have not tried it...yet. I would like some feedback first.

 

[soapsydaisy]

I wouldn't do it. I like the control of a stick blender. Plus you would have to devote a blender just for soaping. It would be really hard to get a seizing soap out of a blender too.

 

[kattobrn]

I have been thinking about it and I agre, as a newbie I would like to have control of the mixing. Thanks for the input and insight.

 

[Ancel]

I really like the soap in a blender idea, yes you have to have a dedicated blender, but yes you also have to have a dedicated stick blender. The batches must be small, so I like that too for a hobbyist, lots of excuses to try different recipes here's a great resource for blender soaps:

http://www.colebrothers.com/soap/blender.html

 

[MOGal70]

I bought a used blender for $2.00 just to use for blender soap, haven't made any yet, but now I can.

 

[jean1C]

IDK, when I was younger and dating my husband, we decided to make Margarita's in a food processor. It was funny at the time, but we didn't have much to drink after it came out all over us. "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt."
I too also like the control of the stick blender. Plus you can even shut it off and use it to stir in things too. And the seized soap that someone mentioned could easily shut it down forever.

 

[lsg]

I know this is a controversial topic, but I first started making soap in a blender. It is great for small batches if you follow strict safety measures. Wear protective eye gear and long sleeves. I always put a dish towel over the lid and started the blender on low. After turning off the blender I gave the soap a chance to burb. Make sure the bottom of the blender and the lid are on securely. Here is a great site with instructions and lots of recipes. Be sure to run the recipes through a lye calculator before using.

http://www.colebrothers.com/soap/blender.html

 

[lizflowers42]

I would just be extremely cautious as mentioned-I can't make a pureed soup in my blender with out managing to have spray out the sides, covering myself with hot splashes of soup-and yes, I hold a towel over the top too!

 

[Marilyna]

Why not?

 

[Marilyna]

I know this is a controversial topic, but I first started making soap in a blender. It is great for small batches if you follow strict safety measures. Wear protective eye gear and long sleeves. I always put a dish towel over the lid and started the blender on low. After turning off the blender I gave the soap a chance to burb. Make sure the bottom of the blender and the lid are on securely. Here is a great site with instructions and lots of recipes. Be sure to run the recipes through a lye calculator before using.

http://www.colebrothers.com/soap/blender.html

Cool site, but I don't think he calls for enough fragrance in his recipes.

 

[DeeAnna]

An acquaintance near Rochester, Minnesota, runs a successful business making goat's milk soap. For a sense of the volume of business she does, she churned out 800 bars for special orders this past Christmas season in addition to her regular wholesale and retail accounts. Every batch she makes is done in a blender. I've watched her in action, and she's really good at what she does. Maybe it's not for every person or every recipe, but it is a reasonable soapmaking technique for the right situation.

edit -- Clean it out like you would clean any soapmaking equipment. Fill with hot water and soap, let it soak for a bit, run the blender a few seconds, rinse with more hot water. No big deal. She buys cheap $20 blenders that have blade assemblies with simple bushings, not the fancier ones with ball bearings. The lye eventually gets into the bearings and causes them to seize up. Which argues that a soap-making blender probably shouldn't be also used for food.