Sturdy and durable, wood molds are a favorite when making cold process soap. Bramble Berry offers a wide range of sizes of Birchwood Molds, including a 9 bar, 18 bar, and 36 bar wood mold. Each mold includes a set of plastic dividers that can be inserted to create consistent sized bars every soaping session.
These dividers are easy to use, but can be a little confusing the first time. This video demonstrates how to assemble the dividers and insert them into the mold. Once you get the hang of the dividers, you may never soap without them again!
Do you have any tips for using these dividers? Please share in the comments below!
Thank you, Kelsey, for your suggestion and willingness to help. I tried different recipes, but even the rock hard salt bars have the same problem. I do use sodium lactate too. The issues are in the space between walls and dividers. Next time when I make a batch I will do some pictures and send them to you, so you can see what I’m talking about. I really want to make these work out somehow. If not these I would be so happy with them! Thank you again!
Hi Veronika!
I would love to see pictures! When you take them, you can send them to my email: [email protected]. I’ll take a look at those and help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have 2 of these molds (with with silicone liner and other without it) and actually a bit disappointed because the bars come out with rough, not clean edges and I have to spent about 30 minutes to clean each bar with shaving tool from extras. Looks like there are hollows between dividers and mold walls. Any tips of perfecting this task?
Hi Veronika!
Do you mind if I ask what’s in your recipe? Also, how long are you waiting to unmold your soap?
If the dividers are taken off before the soap is hard enough, they can leave drag marks. To prevent this, you can let your soap sit in the dividers a couple extra days, or add 1 tsp. of sodium lactate per pound of oils to your cooled lye water. That helps create a harder bar that unmolds faster. 🙂
Also, are you pulling or pushing those soaps out? We recommend pushing them because pulling can tear the sides of the bars.
Let me know and we’ll figure this out!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sodium lactate: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sodium-Lactate-P5127.aspx
Any tips on bending bent dividers back into shape? I have a 36 bar mold and love it, but my dividers are bending on the ends and some of the edge bars are not as square as I would like them to be. Thanks!
Hi Amber!
You may try putting those dividers in between a couple heavy books. That may help flatten them out a little. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have 2 of the 36 bar molds, and 1 9 bar mold (for test batches). Love them. They are my go-to molds for salt soaps, especially.
Since I use the (optional) bottom insert, rather than line the mold, I put in a large garbage bag before adding the bottom and side pieces. The bag can be used almost indefinitely, and protects the wood from any leaks. I’d love a silicone liner, though. Hint hint!
For clean edges, try a light swipe of mineral oil on the dividers, edge pieces, and bottom insert. It doesn’t saponify, and will let the bars fall right out with nice, crisp edges.
I think I need 2 more of them…
Hi Lesli!
I’m so glad you like these molds! Thanks for sharing your awesome tips. 🙂
Also, at this time we don’t have any plans for a 36 bar silicone liner, but I will definitely pass along your suggestion!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi,
Do you not need to line those molds with paper, if you are not using silicone liner?
Also how many pounds of soap does each of those molds hold (9, 18, 36 bars)?
Thank you!
Hi Martina!
You will need to line this mold if you don’t use the silicone liner. That will prevent any soap from leaking or sticking – no fun!
I’ll include a link to a blog that shows you how to easily line your molds with freezer paper. 🙂
Also, the 9 Bar Mold holds 2-3 pounds of soap, the 18 Bar holds about 6 pounds of soap and the 36 Bar holds 10-12 pounds of soap.
How to Line Any Mold: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/how-to-line-any-mold/
9 Bar Unfinished Birchwood Mold: https://www.brambleberry.com/9-Bar-Unfinished-Birchwood-Mold-P5169.aspx
18 Bar Unfinished Birchwood Mold: https://www.brambleberry.com/18-Bar-Unfinished-Birchwood-Mold-P5168.aspx
36 Bar Unfinished Birchwood Mold: https://www.brambleberry.com/36-Bar-Unfinished-Birchwood-Mold-P5167.aspx
I adore my birchwood molds and can’t imagine soaping without them. They have spoiled me! Ever since I bought them, my soap cutter gets no more love. But its ok, birchwood molds, silicone liners and dividers are a must have for all soapers!
Hi Nyota!
I’m so glad you like them! I’m a fan of them too – the bars are always uniform and have clean edges. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry