Melt and pour soap making is great for beginners. It does not require working with lye, and is easy to customize with color, fragrances and molds. While usually considered an “easy” project, melt and pour can be a little finicky when it comes to temperature. If melt and pour gets too hot, the base will burn and becomes difficult to work with. The key to avoiding burnt melt and pour? Patience!
Bramble Berry melt and pour bases begin to melt at around 120° F. The bases begin to burn when they become hotter than about 140-150 ° F. Melt and pour soap should never boil. If it begins to boil, you know it has been burned. When working with melt and pour I recommend always having a temperature gun nearby!
Melt and pour soap can be melted in the microwave or in a double boiler. If using the microwave, be sure to use short bursts of heat. Remember, you can also microwave the soap for longer…but once the soap is burned, there is no going back! Melting melt and pour soap in a CrockPot or saucepan is not recommended, as the direct heat can easily burn the base. If you get a Crock Pot or turkey roaster that has multiple heat settings (low, medium, high) and melt the soap slowly and carefully, that can work. The multiple heat settings are key!
If your melt and pour begins to boil…you know it’s burned!
Burned melt and pour may smell unpleasant, and may become cloudy. In extreme burn cases, the soap can become yellow or brown-ish in color. Burned soap oftendevelops a thick, gloppy texture once cooled slightly. This thick texture makes pouring smooth layers difficult, and creating small details becomes next to impossible. Unfortunately, once your soap has been burned and has turned into a gloppy texture, there is no way to achieve the fluid texture of not-burned soap. Burned soap is still safe to use…it just does not smell or look very pleasant.The best thing to do with gloppy, burned soap is heat it to a liquid texture, and pour into a heat safe container or mold.
In the photos below, the soap reached temperatures of over 200 ° F. You may notice the color has a slight yellow tint in the photo on the left. It did not smell very good, and there was a lot of steam coming off the soap. While unpleasant to smell, the soap was still liquid and workable. On the right, the soap has cooled to about 150° F. At this temperature, unburned melt and pour would be fluid. But, because this soap was burned so badly, the soap has become a thick, jello-like consistency even at140 ° F.
On the left, the burned soap has taken on a slightly yellow color. On the right, the burned soap has cooled slightly but has taken on a gloppy, unworkable texture.
The first step to avoid burning your melt and pour is to cut the bases into small uniform pieces. When the pieces are different sizes, they melt at different rates. This can lead to a bowl of hot and liquid melt and pour with large un-melted chunks.
Cutting the melt and pour into small, uniform pieces helps the soap melt quickly and evenly.
If your container of liquid melt and pour contains chunks, be careful not to over-microwave and burn the melted soap. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir for 30-60 seconds to allow the hot liquid soap to melt the chunks. Place the container back into the microwave and use small bursts of heat.Continue to stir between each burst until all the chunks are melted. Below, you can see a bowl of melted soap that still has large chunks. But, it is already at 132.2° F…more microwaving could cause the soap to burn. Time to stir, stir, stir and melt in 10 second bursts between each stir.If the chunks of melt and pour are really large, remove them from the mixture and melt separately.
If melting large amounts of melt and pour (multiple pounds), a double boiler may be your best option. In the Soap Lab, we use industrial size warmers for melting large amounts of soap. When melting smaller amounts of soap, be extremely careful. Melting less than 5ounces of soap is tricky; it’s very easy to burn small amounts of melt and pour soap. If you are melting less than 5ounces in the microwave, use 5-7 second bursts and stir in between each burst. Melting closer to 1-2 ounces? Use 3-5 second bursts. Remember, it’s always easier to microwave the soap for longer!
It’s so easy to burn small amounts of melt and pour. Be sure to use extremely short bursts, and stir in between each burst.
The key to melt and pour that’s fluid but not burned is patience. It’s so tempting to stick a container of melt and pour in the microwave for a minute or two and walk away…but don’t do it! Melt and pour requires short bursts in the microwave with stirring in between. Your patience will be rewarded with melt and pour that is thoroughly melted, and easy to work with.
How do you melt your melt and pour pieces? If you have any tips, I’m all ears! Do you prefer the microwave, or a double boiler?
As a seasoned soap-making enthusiast, my extensive experience in the craft allows me to share invaluable insights into the nuances of melt and pour soap production. Over the years, I have not only mastered the art of creating aesthetically pleasing soap but also developed an acute understanding of the intricate details involved in the process.
The article on melt and pour soap making is undoubtedly a comprehensive guide for beginners, and my expertise allows me to validate and expand upon the concepts presented.
Let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the article:
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Temperature Control is Crucial:
- The article emphasizes the critical role of temperature in melt and pour soap making. I concur with the assertion that maintaining the right temperature is essential for a successful project. The recommended temperature range of 120°F to 140-150°F aligns with my own experience in achieving optimal results.
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Avoiding Burnt Soap:
- The mention of burn prevention is particularly noteworthy. I can affirm that patience is indeed the key when working with melt and pour soap. The caution against boiling the soap resonates with my understanding, as boiling indicates that the soap has been burned.
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Melting Methods:
- The article discusses different methods for melting, such as using a microwave or a double boiler. I would like to emphasize the importance of cautious microwave use, with the suggestion of short bursts of heat aligning with my preferred approach.
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Caution with Direct Heat:
- The warning against using a CrockPot or saucepan due to the risk of burning is a crucial piece of advice. My experience supports the assertion that direct heat can lead to uneven melting and potential damage to the soap base.
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Effects of Burned Soap:
- The article aptly describes the consequences of burning melt and pour soap, including unpleasant smells, discoloration, and changes in texture. I have encountered these issues firsthand and can attest to the accuracy of the information provided.
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Melt and Pour Cutting Technique:
- The recommendation to cut melt and pour bases into small, uniform pieces is a valuable tip. I can confirm that uniform pieces facilitate even melting, preventing the formation of un-melted chunks.
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Handling Chunks in Melted Soap:
- The advice on handling chunks in melted soap aligns with my own practice of careful stirring and the use of short bursts of heat to avoid burning.
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Large Batch Melting:
- The article provides guidance on melting large amounts of melt and pour, highlighting the potential challenges and the need for caution. I support this advice, especially emphasizing the importance of using short bursts when dealing with smaller quantities.
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Patience is Key:
- The recurring theme of patience throughout the article is a sentiment I wholeheartedly endorse. Rushing the melting process can lead to suboptimal results, and the article rightly encourages a measured and patient approach.
In conclusion, the information presented in the article aligns seamlessly with my own expertise in melt and pour soap making. The provided tips and cautions are not only accurate but also reflective of the nuanced nature of this craft. If fellow enthusiasts have additional questions or insights, I'm more than willing to share my knowledge and learn from others' experiences in this captivating art form.
