Shea butter is a natural fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. It has many industrial uses, including in cosmetics and soaps. Shea butter can also be used as a skin moisturizer and as a hair conditioner.
The main ingredient in shea butter is olein, which makes up more than 60 percent of the oil’s weight.
A double boiler is a vessel that sits on top of a pot of boiling water, which allows you to heat your shea butter without directly heating them over an open flame.
This method is useful when you want to prevent burning or scalding yourself while melting shea butter.
However, not everyone has access to a double boiler but should that stop you from melting your shea butter? Absolutely no. In this article, I will recommend three effective ways on how to melt shea butter without a double boiler:
- Using a microwave machine
- Direct sunlight
- Electric hand mixer
3 Ways to Melt Shea Butter
Shea butter is very easy to melt, which makes it great for use in your homemade beauty products, as well as in other recipes. The only problem is that it can be challenging if you don’t know how to melt it properly.
Here are some tips on how to melt shea butter without using a double boiler or microwave:
1. Using a microwave
If you don’t have access to a double boiler, there’s another way to melt shea butter using your microwave oven but melting shea butter in the microwave takes longer than using a double boiler because it doesn’t transfer heat as quickly as steam does.
However, you can consider it if you are not in hurry. Here are the steps on how to melt the shea butter in the microwave:
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Step 1
Measure out equal parts of shea butter and beeswax into two separate microwave-safe bowls. Make sure not to fill the bowl more than half full with shea butter or else it won’t heat evenly.
You will need about 1/2 cup each of shea butter and beeswax for every ounce of shea butter that you need to melt (for example, if you want 2 ounces of liquid shea butter, then you’ll need 4 ounces of each ingredient).
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Step 2
Place the container in the microwave for about 30 seconds on high power. After that, check if it’s already melted or not. If it isn’t yet melted, then put it inside again for another 10 seconds and check again if it’s already melted or not until you get desired results.
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Step 3
Wait until everything cools down before putting it in another container so that you can store it safely at home without worrying about spoiling its quality anymore.
2. Electric hand mixer
You can also use an electric hand mixer to help speed up the process of melting the shea butter. Use the following tips to guide you:
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Step 1
Put the chunks of your shea butter in a container or bowl like a KitchenAid. Ensure that your bowl is big enough to prevent your shea butter from overflowing in the process of melting.
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Step 2
The next thing is to position your hand mixer in the bowl and start whipping it until it starts melting. Once the chucks dissolve, you are good to go.
3. Using direct sunlight
In a situation where you don’t have access to any of the aforementioned methods or if you don’t like them, you could use the natural method of exposing your shea butter to direct sunlight. The guides below will help you:
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Step 1
Place your shea butter in a glass jar or bowl outside in direct sunlight for about 30 minutes depending on the harshness of the sun. until it has melted completely. But note not to leave it out for too long, as prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays can damage its natural properties
You can also place it under a lamp or light bulb that is close enough to be heated by the sun or lamp.
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Step 3
Leave it there until it melts completely. Once the shea butter has melted completely into a liquid form, transfer it into another container using clean hands or gloves. This is the easiest way to melt shea butter and it has been effective over the years.
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Does Shea Butter Melt When Heated?
Yes, Shea butter can melt when heated, but it does not melt easily. It is a fat or oil, and fats and oils will melt when heated. The melting point of shea butter is between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius.
This means that if you put it in your hand, it will feel warm to the touch, but it will not be liquid. You would have to heat it up to about 100 degrees Celsius for it to actually melt.
Does Heating Shea Butter Damage It?
No, heating shea butter will not damage it. Shea butter has a high-fat content, which makes it solid at room temperature and it is normal to melt when heated. The melting point of shea butter depends on its purity and processing methods, but generally ranges between 76°F and 80°F.
However, heating shea butter above this temperature can damage the properties that make it beneficial to your skin. For example, heating shea butter above 80°F (26°C) will cause its fatty acids to oxidize and become rancid.
Rancid fats can irritate your skin and lead to an allergic reaction known as contact dermatitis. It’s best to store your shea butter at room temperature or slightly below in an airtight container away from sunlight.
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General Guides for Melting Shea Butter
To ensure that you get the best from melting your shea butter, there are some guides that you need to adhere to.
1. Low temperature for a low shea butter quality
If you are using low-quality shea butter, then you must heat it at a very low temperature. This is because low-quality products will get damaged if heated at a high temperature. So, it is always better to use good quality shea butter than using low quality one.
2. Use a microwave-safe bowl
Also, if you want to melt the shea butter in the microwave then make sure that the bowl which is being used for melting should be microwave safe. Using containers that cannot withstand high temperatures can lead to fire accidents or other serious issues.
3. Don’t melt over direct heat
When melting shea butter, it is important that you do not do this over direct heat as this can cause it to burn quickly and leave behind nasty smells in your kitchen as well as ruining your pots and pans. Instead, use indirect heat so that it melts slowly and does not burn easily at all.
4. Add essential oil for flavor
Another thing that people often forget about when it comes time to melt their shea butter is adding other ingredients like essential oils or other scents before they start heating up their product. This helps add flavor
5. Don’t expose shea butter to high heat
Melt the shea butter over low heat until fully melted. It will take some time for the shea butter to melt completely because of its high melting point. You can test if it has melted by putting a small amount on your finger and rubbing it. If it melts immediately, then you know that there are no lumps remaining in it.
Conclusion
There you have it. A double boiler is a good tool to melt your shea butter but is not the only one nor is it the best choice. There are alternatives such as microwaves, electric hand mixers, or direct sunlight. They are also good and safe to use as long as you adhere to the conditions guiding them.
