What soap mold do you use?

[NewAtThis]

Hello, everyone. I'm sure this has been asked many times, but I just couldn't seem to find it! So I hope it's ok that I'm asking it again.

I'm going to open a soap company in a few months, and I want to produce good quality, consistent bars in high quantities. So I'm looking for a large mold (or multiple medium-size molds) that allow me to cut bars at a consistent size. Or a mold and separate cutting jig.

What have you all have good experience with? Silicone, wood, plastic? I don't mind spending a little money on this, but I only want to spend it once, so I need to pick a good mold to begin with. If you don't mind, please be specific with brand names and models. If there's a mold that works well, I want to get that exact one.

Thank you for any guidance you can provide!
Steven.

 

[Obsidian]

I don't make large quantities but if I did, I would want a mold like whats in this video.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1GlTQhjp-Q[/ame]

 

[Dorymae]

Take a look here: http://soapequipment.com/soapmolds/

They also have cutters for their larger blocks, to make loaves, and cutters to then cut the loaves.

I'm not sure how much you plan to produce, but these should do for large production of handmade soap.

 

[NewAtThis]

Obsidian and Dorymae, thank you, both! I will investigate both of those options. I want to produce around 40 bars per batch. Thank you again!

 

[MarisaJensen]

I want to produce around 40 bars per batch. Thank you again!

Another option if you want to produce large batches. They have a 25lb and 50lb large capacity mold.
http://forcraftssake.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_5

 

[NewAtThis]

Thank you, MarisaJenson! Wow, that would make a lot of soap! That's more than I need right now, but it's good to know that such things are out there. Thank you again!

 

[Derek]

I started out using a set of wooden molds I made myself. Paper lining, easy because I also made a positive mold to wrap the paper around before inserting into regular mold. Switched a few months ago to silicone molds in wire holders.
http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-558/Silicone-Soap-Mold--dsh-/Detail. I have the white molds and a recipe that makes four per batch. I like the silicone a lot... So much so that my lovely old molds became kindling! Bought their soap cutter too and it works well for me.
Derek

 

[Dorymae]

Personally I use 2 - 5lb wooden molds with silicone liners and 5 - 3 lb mold made of plastic ( like you can get at Michaels). Beyond that I have many silicone molds for individual bars.

 

[navigator9]

I'd go with Ariane's larger batch molds, simply because I hate folding freezer paper..... [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6fjQDgpiy8[/ame] But trying to figure out how to wrangle that biiiiig pot full of soap batter does look at little daunting at my age! lol

 

[dixiedragon]

I have a 4 log HPDE mold. I do have to put a sheet of parchment paper on the bottom and grease the dividers, but I don't have to fold and tape. I am seriously looking at buying the silicone molds at Essential Depot, though.

 

[shunt2011]

I have 6- 5lb wooden log molds with silicone liners and 1-12 lb & 2-6 lb slab molds that I line with either freezer paper or quilters mylar and cut into logs and then slice into bars.

 

[lillybella]

Obsidian really neat video! Thank you.

Any ideas where she got those white plastic trays in the video?

 

[NewAtThis]

Thank you, everyone for these suggestions, especially for the suggestions with specific brand names. It's great that I can know what you all have had good experiences with. As I look at soap molds online, I'm surprised at how expensive the good ones are! I guess the wood ones are cheaper. Maybe I should start with those until my company starts making enough money to justify paying for a quality silicone mold. Anyway, thank you again, and if anyone else would like to share what specific molds they use, please do! There's so much variety in molds out there that it's good to hear your personal experiences and recommendations. Thanks again!

 

[NewAtThis]

Derek, thank you for sharing the tip about folding the lining around a positive shape so that it can slide right down into the mold. That's a huge time-saver. Thank you!

 

[maya]

When I upped my production size I made my own wooden molds, I still use them everyday. I should up my size again but I really like them.

 

[NewAtThis]

Thanks, Maya. Were there specific plans you used to make your own molds? I made a smaller mold at first, and it was great, but then last weekend, I tried to make a bigger mold, but it didn't work out because the wood I got from the home improvement store wasn't quite straight. The mold ended up being uneven. Do you have any advice on how to build a nice, straight, even mold?

Thank you!

 

[NewAtThis]

Ok, after much searching, I've decided(?) to buy this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/106438613/2-model-et-high-quality-hdpe-55-pound-18

The size is exactly what I need: 18” x 3.5” x 2.5”. It's HDPE, and it's $69 (including shipping) for a pair of them. It's sold by SoapMoldsByLucy, and it gets good reviews on Etsy. But, sadly, SoapMoldsByLucy does not offer returns, so if I get a bad one, I might be stuck with it. That's all the more reason to ask you all: what are your thoughts?

Thank you!

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

It has been said before but I'll say it again - I think that you should wait longer before selling.

Look at your user name, for one thing! While many people have usernames that imply newly started soapers, you did make yours a few days ago. So a few days ago you are saying that you are new at this - do you know how your soap will be in one year? Do you have a bar that old for every recipe that you are looking to sell?

 

[NewAtThis]

Thank you, Craig! That's a great thing to think about. I've been making soap for several months now and gotten good reviews from everyone who's tried it, and yes, by the time my company opens, I'll some one-year-old soap (or very close). So why do you want to have one-year-old soap?

By the way, would you mind sharing what soap mold you use?

Thanks.
Steven.

 

[shunt2011]

Keeping soap from each batch for a year in the beginning at least helps you to see if they (1) develop DOS (2) Do you still like the quality of hardness, lather (3) Does the scent still stick and a multitude of other things. I know when I look back as some of my first soaps (I still have some that are 4+ years old or so) I have come a long way in design, scent, and general appeal of my soaps. My family and friends like my soaps when I first started but now they love them as I tweaked my recipes several times until I found the right ones for me and my customers.

As for molds, I use the 5 lb silicone liners from Brambleberry and my husband made log molds for them to fit into. They also sell the wood molds for the liners. Another really nice mold are the ones from Nurture Soap Supplies. I have 2 of her 7.5 lb molds and they are really great too.