The dreaded mold debate

[trishwosere]

I mainly use a couple of the crafter's choice large silicone loaf molds most, they're my fav's cos there's no lining or pre-greasing...they're much better than my baking loaf molds, as they are thick and rigid... perfect!

 

[agriffin]

I've used almost anything and everything and I always end up back to wooden molds that need to be lined. I get tired of stuck soap in HDPE or silicone molds. I'm really good at lining a wooden mold and the effort seems worth it compared to dealing with a silicone mold with soap stuck in it. I also love using round pvc or mail tubes.

My favorite wooden mold right now is BB 9 bar slab divider mold. My guy makes me alot of various sized wooden loaf molds so I use those alot.

 

[Tegan]

PVC Pipe. I like the round soap and its SO easy to use.

 

[LauraHoosier]

I know I've looked the BB bar molds before and I was iffy on them due to price but I just went to check them out again and holy cow! 9 bar is now $79. And I thought $50-60 was expensive for the 9 bar a few months ago. I'm certainly not buying one now. I'll keep cutting one at a time or make my own multi-bar cutter.

Edit: I agree with CB that the "jacked up" could be taken as far worse then I intended so I removed it.

 

[carebear]

"jacked up" is kinda a loaded term - being in business is expensive. unfortunately our suppliers need to make a profit, so they raise prices as they must.

 

[LauraHoosier]

You're right CB so I edited my comment I really don't know where my head is today :roll:

 

[KD]

SOAPHUTCH for my slabs and loaves and silicone for fun, seasonal shapes.

 

[debbism]

Mostly 11 lb double wood log molds and smaller silicone loaf molds for test batches. Just made three slab molds over the weekend and will be making liners from plastic cutting boards. I really get a kick using molds I make myself - dh has a man-cave full of power tools I can use.

Of course, I would LOVE to have something like Lifeworks soap molds....they look pretty fantastic - I've been drooling over these for quite some time now. Anyone use these? Are they awesome?

 

[BakingNana]

Just wanted to add something about using the silicone baking sheets cut to size to line a mold. On the package of one of my silicone baking sheets it warns NOT to cut them, as there are fiberglass particles inside. There is something at Sur la Table called "permanent parchment" that you CAN cut to size. I use it for lining strangely shaped baking pans when I'm baking cakes.

 

[debbism]

Not using silicone.....using plastic flexible cutting boards as described in a different thread by another soaper who uses them with success

As for the info about not cutting silicone baking mats....I did NOT know that so thank you for the heads up.....I actually had a silicone baking mat on hand "just in case" so I may just be returning that since they are a little pricey.

 

[carebear]

Thanks, Nana - I had no idea!

 

[green soap]

We made our own wood soap molds. That part was easy, doing the silicone liners was not! but it is done now. I even know how to reproduce it.....I like it that you can just 'peel' the silicone liner off the soap loaf.

I was using parchment paper to line the wooden molds. It was taking me as long to line the molds as the time I spent making the soap.