PVC Pipe

[ikindred]

Hello!! I am getting more and more adventurous as I keep reading posts on the forum...this is scary! I am thinking of making soap in a PVC pipe and was wondering what do you put at the ends to keep the soap from coming out? I think this would be great for travel soap and since I am preparing for a cruise in a couple of months, I thought I would make a batch this way and take it with me. Any suggestions?

 

[newbie]

I know some people put a layer or two or three of Saran wrap over the bottom and rubber band it in place. Obviously, you can't pick the mold up and moves it then. It should already be on a flat bottomed surface (box, cookie, sheet etc...) so you can transfer it. Other people use the PVC caps that are available at hardware stores, so they can be put on a removed once you're ready to unmold.

hope that helps!

 

[NancyRogers]

I know some people put a layer or two or three of Saran wrap over the bottom and rubber band it in place. Obviously, you can't pick the mold up and moves it then. It should already be on a flat bottomed surface (box, cookie, sheet etc...) so you can transfer it. Other people use the PVC caps that are available at hardware stores, so they can be put on a removed once you're ready to unmold.

hope that helps!

This. And I'd still put some plastic over the caps just in case one comes off. I also use masking tape instead of rubber bands. Set them in a garbage bag lined box and do not move them once you've poured until they set up.

 

[photoshadows]

What size pipes does everyone use? I have a 2" & a 3" pipe mold, but the 2" seems a bit small (though a good guest size mold) and the 3" seems it could be a tad big.

 

[c.a.p.]

I thought the 3" looked big, too, but when I unmolded and cut my soap, it really wasn't. I'm glad I went with the 3". JMHO.

 

[Stacey]

I do the plastic wrap and rubber band thing on the 3 ich molds too. But we've got a tall beverage cooler and so I stand the pipes up in there and use bath towels around them to keep them from tipping. I just pour to raw soap in the mold, slap a little more plastic wrap over the open tops and shut the lid. Wall-la!

Then I can move the cooler where ever I want to store it while it sets up and gels. Easy peasy! If I spill a little raw soap on the towels, I just toss them in the wash.

If you go to a local hardware store rather than a big box chain store, they'll even cut the PVC pipes to what ever length you want. At least they have at our local stores. To the smaller, locally owned stores, it's all about customer service.

The only other advice I'd give you about the PVC molds is that the soap can stick pretty good in those molds. I've started lining them with freezer paper too. Some people will also use a little tiny bit of the soaping oils to grease the sides. But you don't want to use too much.

I have had to put the molds in the freezer for a while then run hot water over them to get the soap out.

Sometimes, the PVC pipes are more work but the round soaps are cool!

Happy Soaping!

 

[SilverFox]

I've fallen in love with my 3" individual PVC molds! I've had luck not lining them. The beer soap that I just made literally fell out of the mold when I went to unmold them (I CP in the freezer). It's great! Although, I did two rebatches using the PVC molds and they stuck in there like no tomorrow! I had to force those out.
I just lay my molds on a baking sheet lined with wax paper, pour at a thick trace, and pop them in the freezer. But, putting a "bottom" on there isn't a bad idea. I get a little bit of soap leakage but not enough to worry about.

 

[ikindred]

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions, I am going to stop by the hardware store (Lowes) tomorrow evening and find some PVC pipe. It is such a shame when you are excited about going to the hardware store!

Wish me luck

 

[Jan]

PVC

Hi, haven't been around in a long while. I use the 3" pvc and I have found that the plastic lids from pringles cans work very well for the bottoms. The fit is secure as long as you don't lift untill set. I don't even have to tape the bottoms. I bought the caps that were supposed to fit the pipe and never could keep the soap from oozing out, no matter how secure I taped them, but the pringle caps were a real winner.

 

[mamabear]

Re: PVC

Hi, haven't been around in a long while. I use the 3" pvc and I have found that the plastic lids from pringles cans work very well for the bottoms. The fit is secure as long as you don't lift untill set. I don't even have to tape the bottoms. I bought the caps that were supposed to fit the pipe and never could keep the soap from oozing out, no matter how secure I taped them, but the pringle caps were a real winner.

Very good idea that never occurred to me! Thank you!