New lip balm tool!

[TashaBird]

So Bennys Balms on Etsy is where I buy my cardboard tubes. I was messaging with them about some of my lip balm making woes and they were very helpful! I should have waited to share until the beakers came, but I’m so excited! Magnetic stirring hot plate!!! Do you have tips, tools, or techniques for pouring into cardboard tubes?
I’m considering having a 3D printed pouring try, like for plastic tubes!! Or has anyone seen that somewhere?

 

[Misschief]

So Bennys Balms on Etsy is where I buy my cardboard tubes. I was messaging with them about some of my lip balm making woes and they were very helpful! I should have waited to share until the beakers came, but I’m so excited! Magnetic stirring hot plate!!! Do you have tips, tools, or techniques for pouring into cardboard tubes?
I’m considering having a 3D printed pouring try, like for plastic tubes!! Or has anyone seen that somewhere?

You'll find it handy for other things, too. I have one; I don't really use it for lip balm (I use a water bath for those) but I do use it for making all sorts of other things.

 

[MelissaG]

I've never considered magnetic stirring for lip balms. Interesting idea. I'd really love something to make them easier to pour. I've been considering moving from the stick balms to the pots just because it would be easier. I so would love to use the carboard ones but the oils would soak right through with the intensity of the heat and humidity here.

 

[AliOop]

I've never considered magnetic stirring for lip balms. Interesting idea. I'd really love something to make them easier to pour. I've been considering moving from the stick balms to the pots just because it would be easier. I so would love to use the carboard ones but the oils would soak right through with the intensity of the heat and humidity here.

I don't love making lip balms - they are so fussy and always require extra wiping of the tubes so the labels will stick, etc. But since they seem to be inescapable due to high demand, I bought some trays like the ones shown below. I love it because I can pour willy-nilly and then scrape the top to remove excess (which can be remelted and the poured more carefully into the last few tubes.

 

[MelissaG]

I don't love making lip balms - they are so fussy and always require extra wiping of the tubes so the labels will stick, etc. But since they seem to be inescapable due to high demand, I bought some trays like the ones shown below. I love it because I can pour willy-nilly and then scrape the top to remove excess (which can be remelted and the poured more carefully into the last few tubes.
View attachment 79016

Where do you get your lip balm tubes from?

 

[dmcgee5034]

So Bennys Balms on Etsy is where I buy my cardboard tubes. I was messaging with them about some of my lip balm making woes and they were very helpful! I should have waited to share until the beakers came, but I’m so excited! Magnetic stirring hot plate!!! Do you have tips, tools, or techniques for pouring into cardboard tubes?
I’m considering having a 3D printed pouring try, like for plastic tubes!! Or has anyone seen that somewhere?

I’ve never even heard of a hot plate magnetic stirrer, @TashaBird and @Misschief - I’m so curious. Tell me more!

 

[Misschief]

It's, literally, what it sounds like. In Tasha's picture, you can see the magnet on the plate. You drop it into your liquid and turn the stirrer on; the magnet begins to spin, stirring the liquid. It works well as long as you have the right size of magnet for the liquid you're stirring.

It's also a hotplate so you can use it as you would any hotplate.

 

[TashaBird]

I've never considered magnetic stirring for lip balms. Interesting idea. I'd really love something to make them easier to pour. I've been considering moving from the stick balms to the pots just because it would be easier. I so would love to use the carboard ones but the oils would soak right through with the intensity of the heat and humidity here.

I’ve had my cardboard tubes in crazy high heat for many years and no issues with the waxed cardboard tubes. It may depend on the balm mix.

It's, literally, what it sounds like. In Tasha's picture, you can see the magnet on the plate. You drop it into your liquid and turn the stirrer on; the magnet begins to spin, stirring the liquid. It works well as long as you have the right size of magnet for the liquid you're stirring.

It's also a hotplate so you can use it as you would any hotplate.

I’m so excited to try it! Feels very mad science-y!!! Didn’t realize it did not come with the beakers as shown. Ordered some and now realized they make some with handles! I won’t buy those until I test it first.
I’m very excited to be able to keep the balm fluid and at the right temp so I can pour in stages and hopefully avoid the tunnel.

Where do you get your lip balm tubes from?

Bennys balms on Etsy.

You'll find it handy for other things, too. I have one; I don't really use it for lip balm (I use a water bath for those) but I do use it for making all sorts of other things.

What else do you use it for?!

I did find a 3D printed tray on Etsy that fits Bennys Balms 1/3 oz tubes that I use! I won’t use it quite the same as the one for plastic tubes, but thinking it’ll be worth the $20!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1731352130/
Filling tray for cardboard tubes.

 

[MelissaG]

I’ve had my cardboard tubes in crazy high heat for many years and no issues with the waxed cardboard tubes. It may depend on the balm mix.

It's not just the heat though, it's the humidity. I live a half hour from New Orleans. I went outside two days ago and it was hard to breath. My husband likes to say you can swim to work on days like those. I canceled my market for Saturday because it's supposed to be 95 plus humidity and last weekend I got sick outside the door of my car at the end of the market.

 

[Misschief]

What else do you use it for?!

When I'm making small batches of lotion (up to 1 litre), I use it for heating the water phase (especially helpful with the DIY B&B Lotion Concentrate). I use it when making various serums; it's great for mixing without getting bubbles. Let's see.... anything that needs melting, really. I'll also use it when I want to add just a bit of heat to something to help it dissolve.

I did find that the included magnet wasn't the right size for everything so I did splurge on a set of different sizes of magnets.

 

[TashaBird]

When I'm making small batches of lotion (up to 1 litre), I use it for heating the water phase (especially helpful with the DIY B&B Lotion Concentrate). I use it when making various serums; it's great for mixing without getting bubbles. Let's see.... anything that needs melting, really. I'll also use it when I want to add just a bit of heat to something to help it dissolve.

I did find that the included magnet wasn't the right size for everything so I did splurge on a set of different sizes of magnets.

THANKS!

 

[TashaBird]

When I'm making small batches of lotion (up to 1 litre), I use it for heating the water phase (especially helpful with the DIY B&B Lotion Concentrate). I use it when making various serums; it's great for mixing without getting bubbles. Let's see.... anything that needs melting, really. I'll also use it when I want to add just a bit of heat to something to help it dissolve.

I did find that the included magnet wasn't the right size for everything so I did splurge on a set of different sizes of magnets.

How do you clean lip balm mix from your glass beakers after?

 

[Misschief]

How do you clean lip balm mix from your glass beakers after?

Easy.... wipe down the beaker with paper towels first, while the beaker is still warm, then hot soapy water. Works great!

 

[AliOop]

May I ask you ladies where you purchased this lovely machine? My husband always needs Christmas gift ideas for me and would be SO GRATEFUL if I were able to point him in the right direction.

 

[Misschief]

May I ask you ladies where you purchased this lovely machine? My husband always needs Christmas gift ideas for me and would be SO GRATEFUL if I were able to point him in the right direction.

I bought mine on Amazon (,ca)

 

[TashaBird]

May I ask you ladies where you purchased this lovely machine? My husband always needs Christmas gift ideas for me and would be SO GRATEFUL if I were able to point him in the right direction.

I also got mine on amazon. Wish I'd bought the beaker with the handle! But the hotplate magnetic stirrer that I got was just $35

 

[AliOop]

Thank you both! I look forward to hearing how it goes for you with this.

 

[dmcgee5034]

Thank you both! I look forward to hearing how it goes for you with this.

Me, too!

 

[Tammyfarms]

Very interesting. I am off you look for one now. As @AliOop mentioned, it would make a great Christmas present.
You all are such great enablers.