Hey soapmakers.... where to find palm oil?

[Want Less]

Where is my best (and most economical) source for finding palm oil for soap making? Im not having any luck finding it locally... unless there are untapped resources I'm overlooking.

Buying locally.... are there specific places that may carry or be able to order it? (ie Hispanic or asian markets? We have one of each I've yet to try. Health food shops? Ours is good about ordering things but usually quite pricey)

Buying online.... is there an economical source that wont break my budget with shipping costs?

Also, as a side question, if I buy it in bulk, how is the best way to store it so it will stay good the longest? What is its shelf life like?

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Bramble Berry in WA carries some: http://www.brambleberry.com/Palm-Oil-P3210.aspx

You can also try coconut oil, which is what we use in our soaps: http://www.brambleberry.com/Coconut-Oil-P3196.aspx

 

[justuschickens59]

I buy all my base oils at Columbus Foods on their Soapers Choice site. They have very reasonable prices and their shipping prices cannot be beat. I buy all my olive oil, palm oil, coconut oil and castor oil from them. They have any oil imaginable, plus a lot of other stuff. I usually get my order in 2-3 days.

http://www.columbusfoods.net/

http://soaperschoice.com/

 

[AllTheseCreatures]

I usually buy from Brambleberry because I can drive there for less money that it can be shipped. I buy oils they don't have at Columbus foods. Very competitive and shipping is downright reasonable considering the fact the packages are very heavy.

Unless you have a wholesale supplier in your area, I doubt you can find it cheaper at an ethnic food store (IF you have West African, Indonesian/Malaysian, Brazilian ethnic stores in your area). I think the best way to buy palm is in bulk, it is relatively inexpensive and it stores well. I store in on the cement slab in my garage and we added more ventilation to the roof. I've had 50 lbs out there for two years and it's still good!!

 

[alabama49]

I don't know where you are located, but if you have an Earth Fare or World Market store close by, they carry palm oil. I got mine at the Earth Fare store in Auburn, Alabama. I think I answered this on another thread in error!!!

 

[justuschickens59]

I wish I lived close enough to drive to Brambleberry, but I'm clear in VA. I find their shipping to be pretty expensive. I ordered two 4 oz bottles of fragrance oil and the shipping was right at $10.00, and it took about 8 days to get. On the other hand, I ordered some base oil from Columbus foods - the weight was 24 lbs and the shipping was a little over $13, plus I got it 2-3 days later.

What oils does Brambleberry have that Columbus doesn't have? I"d be interested to check that out. Thanks !!

 

[alabama49]

I forgot to add that the Earth Fare store also carries some EO's & butters & oils----thats where I also purchased my shea butter. Next time I am there, I am going to get some cocoa butter to try in a soap.

 

[AllTheseCreatures]

Quote:
They have a shipping minimum, if you bought a hundred dollars worth of FO, the shipping wouldn't be much more. Brambleberry goes to a lot of trouble to pack their FO's well, where as Colombus doesn't have to go to so much trouble to ship a carton of fat in a bag in a box. LOL I meant to say I order from Columbus what I can't get at Brambleberry. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[nifftiness]

I couldnt find it anywhere near me then I was told to check out the ethnic stores. Our local east indian grocers have Palm oil CHEAP and also Coconut oil for cheap.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/search/search.php?refine=y&keywords=palm+oil&x=0&y=0
I have successfully ordered tea from this website and loved the quality. Also some lotion making supplies. Very high quality!