What size Loaf mold works best

[Lin19687]

Since I use PVC rounds for my Salt bars, I wanted rectangular ones for regular soap.
I bought some cheapo Amazon 2-1/2 # lined molds. I have 4 and they are fine.
But I find myself wondering if I should buy a longer one that holds way more soap. This would make it easier for making stock. I have the long Bud Cutter (because of my PVC mold is long).

This post is because of the DIY molds I was reading. I LOVE the silicone liners and do not want to have to line a wooden mold ever again. It is time I could be doing something else, plus they are easy to clean. (Edit to say I am talking about the HDPE molds here)


What size do you like the best.
What size is TOO big for CP Soap where it won't EDIT: SET Uniformly

 

[shunt2011]

I use the 7.5 lb molds from Nurture Soap. Though I make 6 lb loave as I like rectangle not square. They have by far the best liners I've tried. I also have some of the BrambleBerry liners. My husband made my wooden molds for the BrambleBerry ones. I purchased the basic set from Nurture. I absolutely love the size. I have the metal Bud Cutter and I get 16 bars from each loaf.

 

[dixiedragon]

You need to keep your own preferences and needs in mind when choosing. To me, 7.5 lbs is too much. I would rather have 2 3 or 4 lb molds, then I can make a large batch of one scent. Also, I have 2 small ovens vs a normal sized oven, so I don't think the 7.5 would fit in my oven. Keep in mind, a pot of soap batter is heavy, hot and caustic. Make sure you are physically up to handling that pot. I personal don't like to do more than 8 lbs (2 logs in my mold) unless I have somebody else to help out.

 

[Viore]

I agree with Dixiedragon. Personal preference is key. I use 2lb silicone molds from crafter's choice, and that is perfect for me. 8 bars of soap (7 if I don't cut evenly, as is often the case) is enough to see if it sells well at markets without having too many extra bars laying around the house if it doesn't.

 

[shunt2011]

I think Lin is looking/starting to sell? I sell so need to make more soaps at one time. It's most certainly personal preference as well as purpose.

 

[amd]

What size do you like the best.
What size is TOO big for CP Soap where it won't cure correctly {inside not as done as ends}.

What do you mean by "won't cure correctly"? Do you mean saponify?

I love my molds:
12 x3.5 x3.5 (leaves headroom for regular bars, fills all the way up for confetti bars)

24 x 3.5 x3.5 - my only problem with this one is I can't get a consistent pour so I really have to watch that my batter level is the same all the way across. I don't have this problem with the 12". In hindsight I should have had my husband make this mold shorter so that a regular bar would fill it (no headroom). I would have also had my husband leave one end of my multibar cutter open so that I wouldn't have to split the 24" loaf into 12" loaves before cutting. So double check the max length you can go with your cutter!

My personal limit on batch size is 62 oz of oil (72 oz if I'm pouring in my T&S mold), so I plan accordingly. Sometimes that means I make two batches back to back - one goes into the long mold, and one gets split between two short molds. One nice thing with using freezer paper is that after 18 hours I can pop the soap out of the mold and set it to the side if it's a bit too soft to cut, and get the next batch in the mold without having to wash liners. But I still want silicone liners, I haven't found any that fit my molds without custom ordering.

 

[jcandleattic]

I have about 9 loaf molds. However, my favorite to use for the size bar I like, is my ED silicone molds with the basket. My typical batch size is 3lbs (48oz) oils, and it makes the bars perfect for my business model and the way I sell.

What size is TOO big for CP Soap where it won't cure correctly {inside not as done as ends}.

Do you mean saponify? Not sure exactly what you mean here.
Curing shouldn't matter at all. Once it's cut it needs a typical 4-6 week cure (or longer) depending on the recipe used.

 

[dixiedragon]

I am also not sure what you mean by "won't cure correctly". I'm not sure there is an upper limit. For Craft's Sake has a 25-lb block mold that seems to work quite well (according to youtube videos I've watched).

 

[Lin19687]

@amd Sorry I meant SET Uniformly so when you unmold it it doesn't bend in half or something weird .
Ex: the 3 loaf box, if you Gel the inside will over heat while the sides may not fully.

Sorry I don't mean Cure Cure.
I saw on some youtube where someone cuts their own silicone liners from a flat piece they got off Amazon. <-- for @amd

 

[jcandleattic]

I saw on some youtube where someone cuts their own silicone liners from a flat piece they got off Amazon.

I have done this. I'm not handy and it worked okay, however, if I knew what I was doing it would probably have worked better. LOL I don't use that liner often because of that reason. Especially since if I need to line a mold with freezer paper, I have template for each of my molds and it literally takes me about 25 seconds to line a mold.

Ex: the 3 loaf box, if you Gel the inside will over heat while the sides may not fully.

I've personally never experienced this. I have an 8lb mold, and as long as I wrap it the same for the whole length, it is fine. No overheating (unless I have a picky FO and then I watch it) and rarely rarely do I ever get a partial gel.

But I just now see the type of mold you are talking about. In that case I would wrap only around the edges of the mold, while leaving the middle unwrapped.

 

[shunt2011]

I also have a slab mold that holds 15 lbs and I have no problems with it obtaining full gel most times. I gel all my soap. It makes 3 loafs when cut.

 

[Lin19687]

@shunt2011 wow 15#

TY @jcandleattic I heard people had issues with that 3 log mold, just didn't know if that applied to a large 6-7-8 # loaf.

I have the Bud long cutter so length is not an issue for me. My Salt Bars are in a PVC that is 16 to 18" long of soap, with the pipe being 18" total length - so I have room to bang if I need to get it out

 

[dibbles]

But I still want silicone liners, I haven't found any that fit my molds without custom ordering.

I just found this - maybe you've already seen it. https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/diy-mold-liner-from-silicone-sheeting.70042/

 

[amd]

@amd
I saw on some youtube where someone cuts their own silicone liners from a flat piece they got off Amazon. <-- for @amd

I just found this - maybe you've already seen it. https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/diy-mold-liner-from-silicone-sheeting.70042/

Yep, tried it. It worked great for about 3 batches, then they warped. I've got freezer paper down to a science, so I can do it in a minute and usually have a bunch pre-cut. What I like about silicone liners is that I can put the markings for the bar cuts on the edge of the mold, rather than marking the freezer paper and the lines disappearing when I spill/mop up soap batter. That would be really handy once a month when I throw an embed on the top of the soap.

 

[Lin19687]

I don't do embeds but that is a good trick !

 

[amd]

I saw it on one of the early Royalty Soaps videos. I noticed her newer videos and molds don't have marks.

 

[cmzaha]

I have about 12 18" hdpe molds and several 2lb hdpe molds that really take me no time to line . Like AMD I know exactly what size I need my freezer paper and usually have a stack cut, and can line them quickly. I love the fact I can quickly unmold not waiting for silicone and my soap receipes are so stubborn at gelling I can fit 2 molds in my flat plastic storage containers. I stack the containers and wrap all in an electric blanket. If it is cold I will usually use an electric pad in-between the buckets then wrap in the electric blanket. Granted it is advisable to keep an eye on them and not leave heat pads or blankets on when going to bed

 

[Lin19687]

I wanted to update this thread to what I bought.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074Q5S1MZ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

If your recipe is 5# batch of Oils, then with water and such it holds about 6-7 # of batter.
inside is 21" long by about 3.25" wide, 3" deep.
With my Bud 1.25" cutter I get 16 bars. 2 tester slivers that are about 1/2" each because I cut 1/2" off the end in my 1st cut and I get 1/2 on the other end
I like them, but you HAVE to line them !

 

[penelopejane]

I have nurture silicone molds. I made my own timber boxes from timber I had at home to save on postage.
They are fantastic: unmold cleanly every time, easy to wash and still look brand new after 100 uses.

 

[snappyllama]

I completely agree... it's all a matter of preference. I'm rubbish at not ripping a tear into a freshly lined mold (grrr), so I pretty much exclusively use molds with silicone liners. For sizes, I like 2 to 2.5 pound batches since I'm just a hobbyist. What I've got:

BB small loaf mold: the liner is thin and floppy - which is nice for unmolding, but I'm a klutz and have poured between the mold and liner more than once.
BB 9 bar tray mold with dividers - love, love, love this one. It's perfect for making more traditional sized soaps. I was getting a little sticking to the sides of the dividers until I upped my sodium lactate.
BB individual blue silicon bars mold. The bottom of the mold is the top of the bar (slightly trapezoid). I like this mainly for pine tar since I can smoosh in my batter without worries about staining, scent carry over. Plus, the bottoms can be planed if I get an unsightly pour.

American Soap Supply: Tall and Skinny 4 lb. I like this one a lot (especially since I splurged for dividers); however, it's just too big for me. It is very stiff so it can be a little tricky to unmold unless I let it sit for an extra day. Some folks say it slightly warps in the middle over time, but mine is fine after several years.

Nurture 2lb loaf and their tall and skinny: my go to molds. They still look fantastic, are easy to unmold, and have dividers!

WSP: silicone cylinder mold. Run away; save yourselves. It leaks and it opens up unexpectedly. If I do manage to keep it together with binder clips, I still get a seam/ridge. I've gone back to lining pringles cans. Sigh.