Melt and pour

Melt and Pour Soap Crafting is a process often used by soapmakers. The process differs from the cold process or hot process in that no soap is made (i.e. no actual saponification occurs) in the process; a melt and pour soap base acquired in commerce is melted in a direct heat melter or water jacket melting pot (large double boiler) and additional items such as fragrance, essential oils, moisturizing agents, colorants, or exfoliating agents are added. While still hot, the concoction can be poured into individual molds, tray molds, or blocks which upon cooling can be sliced.

Melt and pour does not give the soaper complete control over the ingredients (i.e., the choice of fat to use). Most soaps do not melt readily once they have saponified; the exceptions are clear glycerin soaps, and white soap made from white coconut oil. Melt and pour bases are typically manufactured from these types of soap.^{[citation needed]}

Some soapmakers prefer melt and pour because the process is easy and allows the soapmaker to concentrate more on the aesthetic aspects of soap making. It also avoids the need to handle lye, which is a hazardous and very caustic chemical. However, as with rebatching, it can be considered a misnomer to refer to the melt and pour process as soap making.

Other processes used by soapers are cold process, hot process and rebatching.

See also

• Soapmaking
• About Candle and Soap Making - Soap making projects, instructions, recipes, suppliers and more from About.com