The dreaded mold debate

[dOttY]

Out of curiosity, what mold/mould do you use the most?

I have noticed that some people use silicone, and some use the wooden log mold, lined. I have seen wooden log molds with a silicone insert.

I thought the idea would be to use one or the other, and not a combination. Would the timber frame act as insulation for the silicone mold to encourage Gel?

I have the wooden log molds and line them (I finally bought some freezer paper off eBay, so I'm waiting for that to come as I'm not keen on baking paper).

What is your favourite?

 

[Relle]

I only have a wooden mould, only because it was in the garage and the right size. I've only used one until recently when dh and I put another together. Think I'll get some silicon soon and see how they go.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I just use the wooden moulds and line with baking paper. Why didn't you like the baking paper Dottie?

 

[dOttY]

I didn't like that it left a couple of wrinkles on the underside of the loaf, and also on each end. I know it doesn't make a difference to the actual soap, but I'm just really fussy....

 

[IrishLass]

I use collapsible wooden log/slab molds lined with heat resistant mylar. The mylar (which I bought at JoAnn's Fabrics in the quilting section) only needs to be cut to fit once, and then can be used and re-used for all eternity and a day. It leaves the sides of my soap smooth and glossy.


IrishLass

 

[Dragonkaz]

I use my wooden mould which is lined with one piece of paper from end to end and a silicon baking sheet from side to side and across the top of the paper. I love the finishe this baking sheet gives to my soap.

I also use silicon loaf moulds, silicon muffin moulds and silicon mini muffin moulds ... all bought from Coles. I had these before I had the wooden mould and I love them.

I made enough batter to full my wooden mould, one silicon mould and four mini muffins.

I use the ordinary silicon muffin moulds for salt soap and castile.

 

[dOttY]

I can't find any silicone cookie sheets to cut up to line my mould. Must remember to try out the laminating strips....

I have a big square silicone cake mould I bought from Target, but it's red inside. Maybe I should just try it out anyway.

 

[Dragonkaz]

Dotty have you checked out the 'baking container' section at woollies and coles? That's where I bought my first silicon log moulds, silicon muffin moulds, silicon mini muffin moulds and silicon baking sheet.

Ebay has them, as I've bought more moulds there.

 

[lsg]

I can't find any silicone cookie sheets to cut up to line my mould. Must remember to try out the laminating strips....

I have a big square silicone cake mould I bought from Target, but it's red inside. Maybe I should just try it out anyway.

Have you tried Amazon.com They have silicone mats.

 

[Bama]

Irish Lass what do you cut the Mylar with. I haven't seen any but am going to go look for some.

 

[falldowngobump]

I have one wooden mold, the rest are silicone or plastic type stuff. I bought some fairly thick clear vinyl, cut it to fit my wooden mold to use as a liner. When I unmold, I just wash it, dry it, fit it back in for the next time.

 

[janie]

I have the bramble berry wooden slab mold. I also have a loaf wooden mold by soapmolds.com and used it repetively til it fell apart. I'm awaiting on supplies so can't give a review on the bb mold but here it had rave reviews.

 

[Kenaslan]

I have seen silicon kits to make your own silicon molds with. Has anyone made their own silicon molds? Not talking about a thin silicon liner now. A full size silicon log mold. I saw on U-tube how you can pour it 1/4" thick, and then wield it together with liquid silicon.

 

[LauraHoosier]

I hate wasting waxed paper, baking or butcher paper. I just picked up on Amazon.com Wrights EZ Quilting 12"x 18 " No-Melt Mylar Template, 6 Sheets for $11.99 and no shipping. Really good deal to be able to line several molds. If its not the right stuff my mother and sister in law both quilt

 

[IrishLass]

Irish Lass what do you cut the Mylar with. I haven't seen any but am going to go look for some.

I use one of these to slice my Mylar to size:

http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Crafti ... /01-005445

I could also have used scizzors if I had wanted to, but I can't cut near as straight or as quick with scizzors as I can with the Fiskars cutter. You can find them in any craft store or office supply store.


IrishLass

 

[soapbuddy]

I use HDPE molds from SoapHutch the most.

 

[dOttY]

I have one wooden mold, the rest are silicone or plastic type stuff. I bought some fairly thick clear vinyl, cut it to fit my wooden mold to use as a liner. When I unmold, I just wash it, dry it, fit it back in for the next time.

Oh my gosh! That is a SPECTACULAR idea! I'm going to try that! ...once I use up the Reynold's Freezer Paper I bought off the Bay! Thank you, thank you!

 

[DottieF.]

large sheets & rolls of mylar

Here's a link for clear mylar in sheets and rolls for those of you who use larger molds:

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Clear_Polyester_Film

Dottie

 

[Dragonkaz]

I have one wooden mold, the rest are silicone or plastic type stuff. I bought some fairly thick clear vinyl, cut it to fit my wooden mold to use as a liner. When I unmold, I just wash it, dry it, fit it back in for the next time.

Oh my gosh! That is a SPECTACULAR idea! I'm going to try that! ...once I use up the Reynold's Freezer Paper I bought off the Bay! Thank you, thank you!

Similar what I do with my wooden mould, but instead of a vinyl liner, mine is a silicon biscuit sheet that I bought from Coles ... it's so easy to put in my mould, remove from the soap and wash ... and then use again!

 

[Soapsugoii]

I love my wooden loaf molds from bramble berry. Been using them for a couple weeks. I really need to try the vinyl or mylar trick, though. It sounds so much easier than having to re-cut/tape for every batch!