Soap Making Supplies and Equipment

Soap combines lye, animal fat, vegetable oil and water together in a process called saponification. The process is not terribly complicated, and you do not need a workshop full of tools to pull it off. You likely have equipment and supplies around your home.   

Pots

Melt soap ingredients in a crock pot or a kettle. A deep vessel, eight quarts or larger, requires less stirring than a shallow one. Choose a crock pot with a removable inner-pot or stainless steel kettle.

Thermometers

Use glass or stainless steel thermometers to check the temperature of the lye. Choose thermometers that read temperatures as low as 100-degrees F. Some candy thermometers and deep fry thermometers serve just as well. Thermometers that hook to the side of pots come in handy. 

Pitchers

Obtain clear, plastic pitchers to mix and pour the lye solution. Select two-quart pitchers to hold large batches of lye solution. Make sure the pitchers have removable lids and withstand temperatures up to 200-degrees F.

Scale

Locate a scale to accurately measure soap supplies. Find a scale with a flat platform large enough to accommodate bowls and pitchers. The scale should also measure in grams. Safety EquipmentWear safety goggles to protect your eyes when you pour or mix soap. Put on long rubber gloves to protect your hands and forearms from caustic lye and hot soap mixtures. 

Spoons

Keep a stockpile of long-handled spoons to stir solutions and mixtures. Opt for stainless steel spoons that can be used repeatedly as opposed to wooden spoons that dry out and splinter over time. 

Storage Containers

Acquire clear plastic containers or totes with snap-on lids to store the soap. Square and rectangular-shaped containers with smooth inner-surfaces work well as soap molds. Pour a large batch of liquid soap into a container 12 quarts or larger to create a large block of soap that can be readily cut into several smaller bars.