Using galvanized tub for soapmaking

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

I have a good sized galvanized pail or tub and I was wondering if it would be OK to use for soapmaking?

-- Emil in TN (eprisco@usit.net), February 26, 2002

Answers

That would be a negative.

Soapmaking involves the use of strong caustics, either store bought lye or wood ash lye and it would eat up your washtub right quick. You need a wood, enamel, or glass container that won't react with the lye. I don't have a URL handy on soapmaking but there's plenty of them out there. I'm sure someone will come along presently and give you a few.

Wear appropriate safety gear when handling, pouring and mixing the lye.

........Alan.

-- Alan (athagan@atlantic.net), February 26, 2002.


Definitely not, if making lye based soaps.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), February 26, 2002.

I use glass for the lye/water mixture and stainless steal for the fats, the lye then is poured into the fats. I do not use either of these containers for anthing else but soapmaking.debbie

-- debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), February 27, 2002.

Not only would eat the tub but I belive it cause more bad vapors( bad for you!)

-- Novina in ND (homespun@stellarnet.com), February 27, 2002.

Here is a good forum for soap makers,1freestreet.com

-- willa in IL. (goodall6@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.


Hi Emil,

That pail like anything alunimum or iron will only react with the lye and make a real mess of the soap. The best pots to use for processing soaps whether it is done in the Cold Processed way or Hot Processed is stainless steel or enamel. I use stainless steel for all my soaps and for mixing the lye with the water I use a Rubbermade pitcher. Glass is not good to mix lye in as it can and does shatter. Had a real mess several years ago with what I thought was a thick enough jar to do this in. It craked and leaked out on my counter over night... thank goodness it never got to the floor... but sure did clean that old counter up. :-) Hope this was of help hon. And if you need info on making soap you can go here tlcsoaps.com/soapmaking.htm Rita

-- Rita (rcsoap@attbi.bom), March 01, 2002.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ