Cafe-de-savon acrylic molds

[chloe]

Here's some info I forwarded to Cactuslily that might help:

There's 3 basic sizes for log molds (first link under each is the full set including the extra plate. And the second, is without the plate. I'd recommend the plate set in order to push out the soap neatly):

1. Cafe mold-
Inside dimensions:
9.8 inches (L) x 2.6 inches (W) x 2.4 (H)
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/cafe-de-savon/item/a1081201/?s-id=borderless_browsehist_en

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/cafe-de-savon/item/a1081202/?s-id=borderless_browsehist_en

2. Milk mold-
Inside dimensions:
7 5/8" (L) x 2 5/8" (W) x 3 (H)
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/cafe-de-savon/item/a1081203/?s-id=borderless_browsehist_en

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/cafe-de-savon/item/a1081204/?s-id=borderless_browsehist_en


3. Tall mold
Inside dimensions:
9.8" (L) x 1.8" (W) x 3.3" (H)
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/cafe-de-savon/item/a1101201/?s-id=borderless_browsehist_en

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/cafe-de-savon/item/a1101204/

Slab mold-
Brownie mold:
6 4/8" (H) x 6 4/8" (L) x 2 1/8" (H)
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/cafe-de-savon/a1131201/

 

[chloe]

I have the milk, tall and brownie mold. I love the milk mold the best . It's the widest of the log molds and I fill the soap up all the way to the top to maximize the space. I think the skinny mold produces soaps that feel a bit like guest-size soaps. Still nice to have! The brownie mold is great as long as you're ok with the size. You can get 4-6 bars decent sized bars depending how you cut. I didn't care to buy the cafe mold because it was less wide than the milk mold

 

[chloe]

There's half size molds of each type as well. They're just half as long.
I think there's a super long cafe mold too. But the one's above are the basic molds.

 

[chloe]

Just posting info incase someone else wants to know

 

[not_ally]

Thanks for all the info, Chloe, your posts will probably pop up in any Google Cafe de Savon searches, I think there must be a fair amount of them because of the language issue. It took me forever to figure out sizes, etc, before I ended up going for the milk mold, so this info should be really helpful to people going forward!

 

[Luv2Soap]

This is awesome - thank you!

 

[not_ally]

Chloe, thanks again for posting those links, I got my mold yesterday and was wondering what to do the with smaller "extra" piece, the mold and the saucer part made sense. That last video cleared it up!

One last question before I use it, if you see this in time, do you line the mold w/Saran wrap? That is what it looks like people are doing but wanted to make sure. Also, did not think of this before I bought it, but do you know if these molds are OK to CPOP?

Edited to add: looks from this link like it might be ok to just wrap the bottom part of the mold in Saran wrap, although I wondered if the loaf might still stick on the sides when you are pushing it out. I am going to take a walk on the wild side and try it, I guess that is what beveler/planers are for

http://mnaturalz.blogspot.com/2012/01/soap-moulds.html

 

[Cactuslily]

Not_ally, I haven't yet purchased my molds. I ordered a mold from soaphutch that I'm still waiting for, plus I needed a bunch of FO's etc, so I didn't want to order right away. This is one expensive addiction! At any rate, my understanding from rich at soaphutch is that you cannot use acrylic for CPOP. BTW, handmade in Florida uses these, and from her pics, it doesn't appear she lines the sides. Please update thread to let me know about import fees (if any). I still can't find any info on that. I was told by someone on eBay if cost is over 20$ there's a good chance of a taxation. Please post pics of your soap made with your new mold. I still want to order from them. Huge thanks to Chloe for all of the detailed info she shared! Is this forum great or what?!!

 

[not_ally]

CL, tried using the mold last night. Initial impressions: Generally, don't think it will be my go-to mold. Pros: you could see more of what was going in the pour. Cons: It is small (I have the milk mold), maybe 26 - 30 oz max, too small even for most hobbyists, even, unless you are testing. And then maybe too big. Also, didn't know it was not a good idea to CPOP w/them until I read your post, I like to CPOP, so that is a problem for me.

Other stuff: I just lined the bottom/saucer part with saran and it came out ok, I just pried the saucer off and pushed the soap through (I did use sodium lactate because I was afraid of threads re C de S molds that said they were hard to unmold). I thought the saran on the bottom made it a tiny bit messier than normal, a little bit leaked out, but not that much, it would be easy to plane off.

The soap itself was a little sweaty, I don't know if it was b/c of the formula - I usually use some castor and ran out, had to sub in something else - or b/c I CPOPed in acrylic. Also not pretty b/c I was attempting a triple batch (same formula, different FOs and colorants) and got overwhelmed and started making mistakes. So not going to blame the mold for that, will try again.

I'm going to try another batch with this mold next week, will let you know if my opinion changes.

Edited to add: didn't see any additional fees added w/r/t shipping, ie; it was what they originally quoted ($18+ for the mold, plus $17+ for the shipping.)

 

[chloe]

Hi there! Just catching up! I don't know how I missed these posts! Looks like you figured everything out? Let me know if not!
Btw I use freezer paper in order to get a smooth bottom.
Haha. We have different opinions. I love the size of the milk size mold and I find they're neater and easier to unmold than silicone. Really nice to hear feedback.
I'll post some pics of some soaps I made with the milk type mold.

 

[chloe]

Again, this is with the milk type mold:

 

[not_ally]

Very pretty, Chloe! I think I just have to get the hang of using the mold. Next time, no CPOP, I think that might have thrown things off. The soaps I made the other day seem to have dried off, though, no lasting damage or zap, that is good.

 

[Cactuslily]

Tried ordering the other day, despite my earlier statement. When I finally got to the checkout, and filled everything out, the page went blank, and I needed to go back to order all over again. Will attempt again soon when I have more patience. Your soaps are lovely! The bottom one looks like trees!

 

[chloe]

Oh no! Hope it works next time!

 

[chloe]

By the way! I just bought the half-size milk mold. Plan on using it for test batches! It's tiny! I think it'll fit 300-400 grams. Love it!

 

[chloe]

There it is!

 

[not_ally]

So cute! Baby mold.