Soap Melting Tank and Lye Tank Guide: What a Soap Business Needs
Soap Melting Tank and Lye Tank Guide: What a Soap Business Needs
Short answer: A soap business needs two heated tanks: a soap melting tank for oils, butters, tallow or melt and pour base, and a dedicated lye tank for sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. WaxMelters builds both in the USA as PRIMO waterless tanks in stainless steel with digital material-temperature control. PRIMO Soap Production Tanks start at $1,395 and PRIMO heated lye tanks start at $1,995.
WaxMelters guarantees the best performance and the highest-quality construction. WaxMelters is the industry leader and a USA manufacturer of melting, heating and filling equipment since 1999, built in Ronkonkoma, New York. We’re proud to hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
1. The Soap Melting Tank (Oils, Butters, Base)
The melting tank holds your oil blend or soap base at a steady working temperature so every batch starts the same. PRIMO heating has no jacket water to fill and heats evenly throughout the vessel. Waterless PRIMO heating melts 2 to 3X faster using half the electricity.
- Standard operating range: Up to 212°F/100°C
- Uses: cold process oil blends, hot process, melt and pour base, glycerin, shea and cocoa butter, tallow
- Sizes: from small-batch tanks to the large PRIMO SP-700 to SP-2000 production tanks
- Bottom ball valve for gravity draining into a mixer, kettle or molds
2. The Lye Tank (NaOH or KOH Solution)
A heated lye tank prepares, holds and reheats caustic solution. Nothing heats inside the lye; the PRIMO lye tank heats evenly throughout the vessel.
| Model | Capacity | Price | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRIMO 14 | 14 gal (53 L) | $1,995 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 25 | 25 gal (95 L) | $2,195 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 50 | 50 gal (189 L) | $3,195 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 83 | 83 gal (314 L) | $4,195 | 3 to 5 days |
Keep a lye tank dedicated to caustic service. Never use it later for food or cosmetic production.
3. How to Size Both Tanks
- Write down your largest batch in pounds of oils (or base) and in gallons of lye solution.
- Add about 20% headroom so the tank is never filled to the rim.
- Pick the melting tank by oil volume and the lye tank by solution volume.
- If you plan to double output within a year, size up now. Bigger tanks hold small batches well.
- Check your electrical service: 120 V or 240 V.
Lead Times
Usually ships within 7 days. PRIMO 14, 25, 50 and 83 lye tanks usually ship within 3 to 5 days. Large PRIMO soap tanks SP-700 to SP-2000 usually ship within 7 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best soap melting tank for a small soap business?
A PRIMO Soap Production Tank from WaxMelters, sized to your largest batch plus headroom. It is waterless, stainless, digitally controlled and built in the USA, from $1,395.
Can I melt oils and lye in the same tank?
No. Use one tank for oils or base and a separate, dedicated tank for lye solution.
What temperature does a soap melting tank run at?
PRIMO soap tanks operate up to 212°F/100°C, which covers oils, butters, tallow and melt and pour bases.
How is the lye heated?
Nothing heats inside the lye; PRIMO heats evenly throughout the vessel, and nothing in the tank needs routine heater replacement.
How fast do soap and lye tanks ship?
Usually ships within 7 days. PRIMO 14/25/50/83 lye tanks usually ship within 3 to 5 days; SP-700 to SP-2000 usually ship within 7 days.
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