The melting tank is usually the first machine in a soap workshop and the cheapest one to get wrong. Its job is simple — melt the soap base and hold it at working temperature — but an undersized or poorly insulated tank will cost you every shift in heating time and burnt batches.
Where It Fits in a Soap Production Line
- Melting soap noodles or reclaimed soap base
- Holding melted soap at working temperature before mixing
- Melting and blending soap base in small and medium workshops
- Also used as a crutcher for premixing in larger plants
- Reclaiming trimmings and off-spec soap
Specifications
| Function | Melting and holding soap base |
|---|---|
| Working volume | 200 – 5,000 L; sized to your batch |
| Heating | Jacketed, steam or electric, insulated |
| Agitation | Stirrer for even melting and heat transfer |
| Discharge | Bottom valve, with pump available |
| Material | Stainless steel 304 (316L optional) |
| Voltage / frequency | TBC (built to your local supply) |
| Dimensions / weight | TBC |
| Material (contact parts) | Stainless steel 304 (316L optional) |
| MOQ | 1 set |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Key Features
Insulation saves money every day
An uninsulated tank loses heat from every surface, which means longer heat-up, higher energy cost and a bigger temperature gradient between the wall and the centre of the batch. Insulation costs little at manufacture and pays back continuously. If you are comparing two quotations and one is cheaper, check whether insulation is included.
Stirring, even for melting
Soap melts unevenly because the material touching the heated wall liquefies first. Without stirring, the bottom scorches while the top is still solid, and burnt soap cannot be recovered. A stirrer is not an optional extra on a melting tank.
Size it to one batch, not to the day
The tank should hold at least one hour of production plus working headroom. Oversizing means heating more material than you need and holding it hot for longer, which ages the soap. Undersizing means the mixer and mill run out of feed. One to two hours of output is the usual sweet spot.
Steam or electric
Electric is the practical choice when there is no boiler, and is common in small plants. Steam heats faster and is cheaper per unit of heat at scale. If a boiler is already on site or planned, use steam.
Price, MOQ and Lead Time
Price depends on working volume, heating method and whether the vessel is insulated and agitated. Send your batch size and we will return an FOB quotation.
MOQ 1 set. Payment terms: T/T, L/C at sight, or as agreed. Sea freight, spare parts and installation service can be arranged on request.
Get a Quotation for This Machine
Tell us your target capacity, the soap type you produce and your country. Our engineers reply within 12 working hours with a configuration proposal and FOB price.
Send Your Requirement
Download the full specification catalogue
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I melt soap in the mixer instead of buying a tank?
Sometimes, if the mixer has a heated jacket and enough volume. But you lose mixing capacity while the soap melts, so most plants above a few hundred kg/h separate the two functions. Tell us your intended batch size and we will advise.
What is a crutcher?
A crutcher is a large agitated vessel used in soap making for mixing and saponification. In small plants the melting tank and the crutcher are often the same vessel. In larger plants they are separate machines.