Hillbilly Scuttle Idea

[Protocol]

At lunch today, I picked up one of these:

It's a Mr. Coffee electric mug warmer. One of my coworkers told me she had one, but tossed it out because it wouldn't keep her coffee piping hot. I figured if it keeps my scuttle something south of scalding, we're in business.

I also got one of those impractically large hemispherical coffee mugs that were all the rage 5 years ago, but went rapidly out of style when folks realized they spilled all over the place.

I figure the combination will make a heck of a hillbilly lather bowl/scuttle.

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

 

[Engine]

Good idea, let us know how it works! I've been trying to think of ways to make impromptu scuttles.

 

[82R100]

My heating source is a candle warmer (tart burner, by another name). I think it's a 20W model.

I tried it initially with a cereal bowl directly on the burner but it got too hot locally (you could hear the lather sizzling) so I floated a bowl in a bowl on the burner.

Since I face lather, I reasoned that it would make a better brush warmer if I made the receptacle smaller, so I downsized to the teacups you see here:

View attachment 76304

I works very nicely for me. Do plan on pre-warming the vessels in hot sink water. It will take a long time for a cup warmer to warm the cup from ambient temperature.

- Chris

 

[Protocol]

Thanks for the input, Chris.

I hope to avoid the local hot spots by using the big hemispherical mug. It's one of those fishbowl like ones with half inch thick walls that were so popular in high priced Seattle coffee houses 10 years ago. I figure it will do a pretty decent job of diffusing the heat up the sides of the bowl.

The plan is to fill it full of hot tap water and place it on the burner and soak my brush while I shower. After that, I'll towel off, pre-shave oil, dump out the water and build a lather. I figure the cup will be plenty warm by then. If it starts getting a hot spot, I can just as easily turn it off or unplug it.

 

[Engine]

Unplugging stuff with wet hands is always a fun proposition.

 

[Protocol]

Unplugging stuff with wet hands is always a fun proposition.

Tell me about it. When I was in Hong Kong, I realized the reason I was blowing out all the electronics I brought there was because they have EVERYTHING wired at 220W. I caught a taste of it when I got out of the shower and splashed a space heater. Not at all fun.

 

[AdrianR]

...When I was in Hong Kong, I realized the reason I was blowing out all the electronics I brought there was because they have EVERYTHING wired at 220W. I caught a taste of it when I got out of the shower and splashed a space heater. Not at all fun.

I think you might mean 220 volts.

We have 240V in the UK - for that reason, there are no power outlets allowed in bathrooms, fittings must be steamproof and the bathroom light switch must be pull-cord operated...all in the name of sense and safety.

 

[Protocol]

I think you might mean 220 volts.

We have 240V in the UK - for that reason, there are no power outlets allowed in bathrooms, fittings must be steamproof and the bathroom light switch must be pull-cord operated...all in the name of sense and safety.

Yes. 240V. That little splash nearly made me jump out of my skin.

Anyway, I tried the Hillbilly Scuttle(tm) this morning with mixed results. It did, in fact, keep the lather nice and warm, but the plate itself takes a week in Tuesdays to warm up. I was fully done with my shower and preshave routine and the bottom of my monster mug was still cool to the touch.

I ended up having to hot towel the beard while I waited another 5 minutes or so for the mug to heat up for my lather routine.

So, though the process shows promise, I'm going to have to consider this a marginal result. I'll need to experiment further on the concept of the electric scuttle. Perhaps I'll have to scratch build one.

 

[82R100]

I mislabeled my warming device before. It's a candle jar warmer and it gets very hot.

If I leave a mug of VDH soap on it for 15 minutes it melts.

Something to consider.

- Chris

 

[mckolit]

I'm getting a chip dipper from amazon. Just wanted to know how important it is to have warm lather? Is it a luxury thing or an important part of the routine? I was worried more about my pores closing up because I was re applying with cool lather.

 

[danek]

I'm getting a chip dipper from amazon. Just wanted to know how important it is to have warm lather? Is it a luxury thing or an important part of the routine? I was worried more about my pores closing up because I was re applying with cool lather.

There has been a lot of discussion about pores openning/closing do to heat, and the consensous is that it's a misnomer. Dermitologists here have stated that since pores are not controlled by muscles, they don't actually open or close.

That being said, warm lather feels reeeeaaaly good. I don't know if it provides a better shave, but for me, the sensation of covering my face with warm lather is quite decadent. Not a priority, but really nice, especially when it's cold outside.

 

[sffone]

I don't think that warm lather is essential, considering how many people use lather from cold cans of spray foam, but it certainly is nice on a chilly morning! And I feel that it probably does help get a better shave because it helps keep the whishers soft, or so I think.

 

[StylinLA]

Don't know if it has any better shave advantages, but warm lather really just makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable.

 

[82R100]

I'm getting a chip dipper from amazon. Just wanted to know how important it is to have warm lather? Is it a luxury thing or an important part of the routine? I was worried more about my pores closing up because I was re applying with cool lather.

Most just a comfort thing, in fact the lather will degrade more slowly if it's cold (won't evaporate as quickly).

I shaved all summer with cold rinses with no ill effects.

- Chris

 

[dujaikeja]

At lunch today, I picked up one of these:

It's a Mr. Coffee electric mug warmer. One of my coworkers told me she had one, but tossed it out because it wouldn't keep her coffee piping hot. I figured if it keeps my scuttle something south of scalding, we're in business.

I also got one of those impractically large hemispherical coffee mugs that were all the rage 5 years ago, but went rapidly out of style when folks realized they spilled all over the place.

I figure the combination will make a heck of a hillbilly lather bowl/scuttle.

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Hey hey great idea! That way people can name their tanks for visitors to see! Once again great idea!