Stuck in the Pipe

[imasoapnut]

Here it is. I currently have two 3ft PVC pipes in the freezer. I prepped the pipes with Pam, they hung wrapped with bath towels for 3 days. My first attempt to eject the soap failed, hence the freezer tactic. Tomorrow I will make another attempt using a method I read about on one of the soap making sites. It said to remove from the freezer and use a hair dryer to heat up the PVC pipe. The goal she said was to make the soap perspire. At that point the soap tube should slide out easily. (I will be praying at this point I'm sure)

This is only the second batch of soap I've ever made. The first batch I used small totes as the molds but didn't like the ridge on the bottom of the soap. I have read about how people love using the PVC pipe for their molds. I hope when it's all said and done, that I too am a PVC pipe lover.

Any tips or ideas are so very welcome.

 

[donniej]

You need to use some type of a liner. The soap comes out with the liner and then you remove the liner from the soap. Wax paper works well.

To get out what you have I suggest you find something that fits snugly into the pipe and push it out with something sturdy. It will take a lot of force. I used to do this with ~4' sections of 2" PVC and it worked OK.

 

[carebear]

on the table, set a can of soup or something else that is a little smaller in diameter than your pipe. then push your soap in the pipe down on it, essentially using the can as a plunger.

it's hard to hold the pipe tightly, I use a bit of that rubber shelf liner but a towel or something might work.

 

[agriffin]

I take mine into the garage and start dropping it on the cement on to one of the ends as hard as I can. Once it jars loose it will slide right out. It helps if you have an inch or two of head room on one end. This is the end I drop it on.

 

[cwarren]

3 ft is too long - a foot will do but dont fill to top leave a couple inches.

 

[Sillysoap]

I had this happen to me also. I put it in the freezer over night & just set it on the table (it will sweat naturally) using my hand I was able to push it out. I only let the soap set for 24hrs before trying to remove it from the mold. I also use a 3" pvc that is about 2-3' long. I love it.

 

[RockinRodeoChick]

I, too, second the soup can and heating the pipe in some fashion after you take it out of the freezer. I run mine under hot water.

 

[agriffin]

Did you get it out?

 

[soapbuddy]

I, too, second the soup can and heating the pipe in some fashion after you take it out of the freezer. I run mine under hot water.

That's what I have done.

 

[xyxoxy]

I line my PVC with a flexible plastic chopping mat cut to the size of the inside of the pipe (reusable). I usually refrigerate to prevent gel and then let it come to room temp. Slides right out.

Before that I would freeze, then run the PVC under very hot water, then push the soap out using a large spray can I had (tire foam I think?). Sit the bottom of the soap on top of the can and pull down on the outside of the pipe using something to grip it (rubber gloves?).

This is kind of a rehash of several other answers combined but this process always worked for me.

 

[SmellyKat]

3 ft is too long - a foot will do but dont fill to top leave a couple inches.

For a foot long piece of pvc, how do you know how much oils and liquid to use for a recipe??

 

[cwarren]

Round == 3.14 X ( Radius squared ) X ( height ) X .40 Example ((( 3 inch X 9 inch PVC ))) = 3.14 x ( 1.5 x 1.5 ) x 9 x .40 = 25.4 Radius is half of diameter

 

[Muzhik]

Round == 3.14 X ( Radius squared ) X ( height ) X .40 Example ((( 3 inch X 9 inch PVC ))) = 3.14 x ( 1.5 x 1.5 ) x 9 x .40 = 25.4 Radius is half of diameter

So in the example in the quote, that amounts to 25.4 ounces of oil?

 

[Sillysoap]

:shock: I also want to know if you got it out & how you got it out.

 

[cwarren]

Thats total weight .. add oils - lye and liquid ( milk or water) play with it on soap calc .. you can get it close.
if you have let some room in the tube, put in freezer for hr or 2 --you can put whatever fits in tube ( close to size of tube ) and push with whatever will give you leverage. --- i know look for you tube [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2MP5uJtY38"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2MP5uJtY38[/ame] Nancy Today -- she's a hoot !!

 

[carebear]

oh don't get me started on Nancy Today. She scares and horrifies me. Watch the video of her talking about worm eggs from her cat's butt - on the arm of her sofa, or read her blog (if it's still there) about how she put a shoe over her cat's head to calm it and then castrated it herself. watch her fling lye around like it's an innocuous liquid.

i'll pass/

 

[soapbuddy]

oh don't get me started on Nancy Today. She scares and horrifies me. Watch the video of her talking about worm eggs from her cat's butt - on the arm of her sofa, or read her blog (if it's still there) about how she put a shoe over her cat's head to calm it and then castrated it herself. watch her fling lye around like it's an innocuous liquid.

i'll pass/

I agree. She's a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Muzhik]

So I have a Pringles can -- 2.75" diameter by 8" long. If d=2.75 then r=1.375.

(3.14)(1.375)(1.375) = 5.93 square inches

(5.93)(8.0) = 47.49 cubic inches

(47.49)(0.40) = 19 oz (rounded up)

So I could put a total of 19 ounces of oil and water into this Pringles can, assuming I filled it to the brim, correct?

 

[SmellyKat]

Round == 3.14 X ( Radius squared ) X ( height ) X .40 Example ((( 3 inch X 9 inch PVC ))) = 3.14 x ( 1.5 x 1.5 ) x 9 x .40 = 25.4 Radius is half of diameter

I am so math challenged it is a shame. The above example is for a 1 foot pvc pipe????
I need an exact measurement.

 

[cwarren]

it's for 9 inch -- but you want some head room so go ahead and use this