Mug warmer - feel the heat

[DoubleE]

Let me start out by saying I hate cold lather! When I bring the shaving brush to my face for the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th passes, cold is not a quality I'm looking for. Like many here, I start out with hot water in my bowl, but alas, it just doesn't last long enough to keep my lather from cooling off before I'm done.

I've read cautions about using mug warmers as you can damage the hair on the brush if it becomes too hot. Wandering around Wally World the other day, waiting for my wife, I noticed a rack of mug warmers. It had a relatively small heating surface which was surrounded by a quarter inch metal lip. Believing my mixing bowl to be larger than the heating surface, I dismissed it. As I continued waiting, and waiting, I began to wonder if it might not be a blessing that the bowl was larger than the heating pad! My bowl should rest on the elevated rim which would keep my bowl a quarter inch or so above the direct heat. I decided to take the plunge with a significant investment of $2.50! What the heck, it's Christmas!

When I got it home, sure enough my bowl rests securly on top of the rim just as I'd hoped. The next morning, I plugged it in 2 or 3 minutes before I started my prep and soon it was ready to go. It has a high and a low setting with low being 110 degrees and high, 120 degrees. Neither temperature would likely do harm the brush but no sense taking chances and I'm just looking for warm, not hot. After my first pass when the brush touched my skin.....ah, warmth! I can even remove the bowl and hold it in my hand with the bottom of the bowl resting in my palm comfortably. Just the right amount of heat! No drying out of the lather was an additional bonus since there in no intense heat.

Here's a picture of the unit itself.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=993

And with mug sitting atop the unit.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=994

Gotta love the feel of warm wet badger hair in the morning!

Jerry

[rtaylor61]

I've got one of those bowls...however at my place, the kids usually have it full of macaroni!

Randy

[Scotto]

Hmm. I benched my mug warmer after it affected my brushes. Perhaps I will get it out of storage now.... The hot pot isn't doin' it for me - too annoying.

[DoubleE]

Scotto:

Was it getting your brushes too hot and if so, what did it do to them? Also, was your bowl resting on top of the heating surface?

Jerry

[Scotto]

I used a mug to keep the brush in between passes. It frizzles the ends of the bristles; kinda bends them over so they feel scritchy.

[mark the shoeshine boy]

I've got one of those bowls...however at my place, the kids usually have it full of macaroni!

Randy

so you shave with macaroni in a bowl...how do you mix the lather without it mixing it all up ????:huh:

doh !

mark tssb

[DoubleE]

so you shave with macaroni in a bowl...how do you mix the lather without it mixing it all up ????:huh:

doh !

mark tssb

His version of exfoliation!:biggrin:

[rtaylor61]

His version of exfoliation!:biggrin:

Yes, exfoliation, and the creamy cheese sauce keeps my complexion soft and supple!

Randy

[Scotto]

OK Jerry, after a week or so not feelin' the hot pot love, I got my mug warmer out of storage, and I can now declare you king of the hill. This thing just works great when used to keep the bowl full o' lather warm in between passes.

For my mug warmer, I made a couple of adjustments. First, it takes these things quite a while to heat up. I turn mine on before I go into the shower, while my brush is soaking (in a mug), and my bowl is soaking in hot water in the sink. When it comes time to put the lather-filled bowl on top, it is plenty warm. Second, I don't keep my brush in there - I am just too concerned about sizzling the bristles. Even so, a good hard swirl in the warm bowl, and all is well with the world.

[DoubleE]

Scotto:

I'm glad to hear it's working out for you! :thumbup1: Mine is part of my every day ritual and I love the always warm lather.

Jerry

[g1010]

Jerry,
What brand is this mug? And only 2.50? Wow!
Gee

[atnight]

BUMP

Ditto. What's the brand? I'm willing to take the plunge, especially for a cheap price and LOW/HI settings.

[DoubleE]

Jerry,
What brand is this mug? And only 2.50? Wow!
Gee

On the bottom it says:

Joint Legend Group Ltd
Beverage warmer
Model JBW1200

WalMart had displays of them before the holidays. I'm not sure if it's a regularly stocked item or not. Surely they didn't sell them all!
And you're right, for $2.50, you can't go wrong.

Jerry

[mark the shoeshine boy]

our local walmart only had the mug warmer with an on/off switch. Not the hi/lo settings.

However, I set the cup on top of the warmer with a little water and allow it to warm up as I shower...(picture that one, now !!!) My tap water is pretty warm, so i soak the brush in the sink.

I dump the water out of the bowl and start my lather process. I am a little leary of keeping my brush in the cup, because of brush damage. Even though it doesn't get that warm.

But it is a nice warm lather..and all I have to do is to pump it a few times and it will heat up again....:w00t: :001_tt1: :blush:

mark tssb

[Scotto]

Any mug warmer will work. Mine only has one temperature. As previously mentioned, I don't keep my brush in there either, but a good swirl against the bottom of the bowl heats everything back up nicely.

[threeputt]

http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4501
and
http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4515

over at SMF. I liked that quaich so much I ordered one. It isn't here yet, but I did pick up a hot pot in anticipation of it's arrival. Never gave much thought to warm lather past the first pass, but it is indeed a luxury!

Jeff

[Cliff]

I also thought the quaich was great and ordered one only in 4.5 inch size. I received and email from Scotland that the quaich was 'on its' way'.

[mark the shoeshine boy]

i believe that those folks that scoff at us about our methods of shaving, really do not understand the pure joy of nice warm lather and a great shave....

I have a couple of guys who says..if it takes over five minutes I wouldn't do it..or I hate to shave...

This mug warmer, when used as described, is such a great way to start your day....instead of a drudgery..it is a complete joy to shave...perhaps too much..that is why of spouses don't understand it...for years they have seen us in and out of the bathroom and now you can't get us out !!!

For $2.50 you can turn your luxurious lather to the next level without really changing your method at all.

mark tssb

[obsessis]

I got that exact same mug warmer at my local Wal-Mart for $1.00.

I bought a couple of them in case one breaks. They work great. I keep the brush out of it while it is sitting on the heater.

[zacharydz]

Where in Wal-Mart did you guys find the mug warmers? I looked at my local Wal-Mart SuperCenter a couple of weeks ago and couldn't find them. :confused: (I was looking around where the coffee makers and other kitchen appliances were)

[DoubleE]

I'm not sure I've actually seen them shelved in a permanent place. They're always on an end rack or display in the middle of an isle. Ask an associate next time you're there. I saw them a recently as a couple of weeks ago.

[guenron]

Hi Zack,
Shouldn't that be:
Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen..

[zacharydz]

Hi Zack,
Shouldn't that be:
Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen..

Na ja, Sie haben Recht. Ich habe das zu schnell geschrieben und sollte das bemerken. Wie viele fremde Sprachen kennen Sie?

[With The Grain]

ive been amazed by how hot i can keep my lather by simply floating my lather bowl in another bowl or plastic cup of very hot water(that fits snug almost like a scuttle), i think of it as an ultra cheap version of Dr. moss' scuttle on SMF, ive posted the set up once or twice and no one seems to notice but id really recommend giving it a go as a very brush safe alternative that delivers great hot lather and equally cheap.

[obsessis]

i've seen your little setup and might try to emulate something like it, but running hot water over the back of my bowl works great.

i found mine near little kitchen appliances and pots/pans. it sounds like you are def. in the right section...

[rebornshaver]

I've found a candle warmer at tha local walmart for around $5.00. Works fine and does not take too long to heat up either. It has two settings, on and off.

[vontech]

I float my bowl in a small hotpot. Not really much hassle, at all, and really warm, almost HOT lather. Really helps soften my steel beard.

[Indy]

Just last week I found the exact same warmer that DoubleE has in the picture at my local Walmart in the closeout aisle. They were $7, so I bought two at that price so I'd have a spare if one quit working. Fill it with hot water, set it on high and soak the brush while in the shower. Dump the hot water, add the cream, whip up some lather and reduce the heat to low. I now have warm lather for 4, 5, 6+ passes if needed. I'm keeping a close eye on my brush, but so far I've not noticed any effects of the heat on it.

Cheers,
Indy

[Flounder]

Quick question... anyone know where to get a good mug warmer online? I wanna try this out

[vinny1957]

How many of you would like a mug warmer like this? The Wal-mart by me has mug warmers, they have a high/low switch a light to show it's on. I don't know how much shipping would be in the US. But, if there's interest in these I'll check it out tomorrow. I'm guessing $4 or $5 total, again I'll have to see about shipping. Let me know,
Vinny

[moviemaniac]

I too use a mug warmer, but I've come up with a different approach, that works very well and does no harm at all to the brush.
It's basically the same method that you use when melting chocolate. You heat up a bowl with water with a second bowl on top that then gets heated by the water.
I don't know if it works with ceramic mugs as well, but as I lather up in a special metal-bowl, it's the perfect solution for me.
Two pics to illustrate what I mean (sorry for the crappy quality, I used my mobile)

4644
mug warmer at the bottom, a plant-pot with water getting heated up on it and on the top my metal bowl in which I lather up - it all fits nicely together.

4645
metal-bowl lifted up

[Navy Chief]

Where did you find the metal bowl, I love the looks of that and it may just be perfect.

[moviemaniac]

Where did you find the metal bowl, I love the looks of that and it may just be perfect.
Oh yes, it's lightweight and easy to lather up in it once you've got the hang of it - perfect for both travel-use and at home.
I got it from a German soap-maker, Bernd Wahr (http://www.feineseifen.de/henkelchromschalenfrrasierseifen-p-157.html) and it's just about 4$. You can try to contact him here (http://www.feineseifen.de/contact_us.html).

[jchiar]

Question on this mug warmer thing... I have a mug warmer and ceramic mug. I just bought me a william soap box and brush. Do you keep the soap in the mug and heat it up? Or does the soap stay in a separate container?

[netsurfr]

For the price, gotta try one of these...
Steve

[Scotto]

Question on this mug warmer thing... I have a mug warmer and ceramic mug. I just bought me a william soap box and brush. Do you keep the soap in the mug and heat it up? Or does the soap stay in a separate container?

Put your lathering bowl on it, not the soap. If you don't have a lathering bowl, why not? :rolleyes:

[moviemaniac]

Question on this mug warmer thing... I have a mug warmer and ceramic mug. I just bought me a william soap box and brush. Do you keep the soap in the mug and heat it up? Or does the soap stay in a separate container?
well, of course you could put the soap in your mug and place it on the mugwarmer, but a separate mug for lathering up is much more convenient (and saves on soap).

[jchiar]

Put your lathering bowl on it, not the soap. If you don't have a lathering bowl, why not? :rolleyes:

Didnt even know there was such a thing!
Guess thats somethin else i need.. Can you get one in a local store? Didnt see one in Walmart or CVS shaving section...

[moviemaniac]

Didnt even know there was such a thing!
Guess thats somethin else i need.. Can you get one in a local store? Didnt see one in Walmart or CVS shaving section...
Just use a big coffee-mug and you'll be a-ok. That's what many guys here are using :wink:

[jchiar]

Just use a big coffee-mug and you'll be a-ok. That's what many guys here are using :wink:


Thanks! Ill be trying my new stuff first thing in the AM. ill post my results:smile:

[moviemaniac]

Thanks! Ill be trying my new stuff first thing in the AM. ill post my results:smile:
you're very welcome!

Actually today I switched back from my metal bowl to me ol' coffee-mug, fits perfectly on top of the plant-pot and works even better at keeping the lather warm as the metal cools down pretty fast.

[lloydh]

does any one know if mug warmers are available in the uk???

[ScottieWP09]

I was searching for lather techniques and came upon this thread. I have the same exact bowl. And to say bowl is kinda false because I took this from my mom's kitchen. Mine is actually a 15 fl oz Corning ware all purpose bowl. I liked it because it was wide so I wouldnt keep hitting my hand in a mug and had a handle. It works well. I don't care if it is supposed to belong in the kitchen.:001_smile

[cleancut]

I went to Wal-Mart today in search of a mug warmer and came up empty. My wife was with me and asked what I was looking for. I told her and she said that she had a candle warmer at home and that it's pretty much the same thing and that I could use it. So after getting home I got it and fired it up. I placed my lather bowl on it after making lather and then started soaking my face with hot towels. By the time I was done doing that my brush and lather were warm as toast. I kept my C&E brush in the lather bowl on it's side but turned it every time I rinsed my razor. I figured this would prevent singeing any brissles and it seems to have worked so far. What a great way to have a truly luxurious warm lather shave. Thanks B&B

[OldFashioned]

a simple trick is to get a bowl or even a mug and boil water on the pot and fill the bowl/mug with it. just when you are DONE lathering, you pour out this super hot water from the mug and you're left with a real hot mug that can hold heat. i tried it but i think i need another setup because any water that surrounds my brush seems to moisten it and thin out my lather a bit. i like my lather real thick. but i know alot of people like to add more water, im not one of them. so im going to look for a narrow cup that can fit inside that mug and not even wet it with water or shake out even more water from my brush when making lather.

[inspectoring]

Now I am too much into the whole tea culture but this may not be a bad alternative. Not to worry about the wire mess.
http://www.republicoftea.com/templates/detail.asp?navID=1453&__utma=1.1619045991.1227336417.1227336417.12273364 17.1&__utmb1&__utmc1&__utmx-&__utmz1.1227336417.1.1.utmccn=(referral)|utmcsr=re publicoftea.com|utmcct=/|utmcmd=referral&__utmv-&__utmk216537879

[Talltexan]

Double E,

What is the make and model of your mug warmer? I tried the Mr. Coffee mug warmer and it did not do any good. Any suggestions? I've also tried a candle wax Warmer and the heating element is too obstructed. Any ideas on what mug warmer and bowl combo to use to lather both creams and soaps?

Best,
Jerry