Dyeing Equipment.

[Gander]

I am gradually being forced into DIY dyeing if I want to have access to materials in the colours I would like them in. I have dyed materials before using saucepans and Veniards powders in the kitchen, but it wasn't popular with the wife as I did turn one worktop Claret.

If I'm going to have to do it again, then I'm going to do it properly. What I was thinking of using is something like this:-

Clifton 9 Litre Unstirred Thermostatic Bath - Shallow - NE1-9 [NE1-9] - £339.00 : LabSource, Specialists In The Supply Of General Laboratory Equipment.

I believe that the newer Jacquard dyes take best to a steady temperature of around 60 deg.C. My question is, is there an easier (preferably cheaper) way of dyeing i.e Stainless Steel container with immersion heater etc?

I am also interested in any thoughts from those who have experience in dyeing in relation to which dyes they have found best for which colours etc.

[Chris Reeves]

I have no problems dying in the kitchen, provided you follow a few very simple rules there shouldn't be any issues.

1) Cover any porous surface with plastic or lots of newspaper. Wooden chopping boards soak up dye like a sponge!
1a) Ditto for anything white!

2) Keep doors and windows closed and animals out of the room. Dye powder will blow away and remain " dormant" until it meets moisture, suddenly you get a blob of colour in a wierd place.

3) Rub hands with anti static wipes before opening tubs and jars of powde.

4) Ensure all measuring spoons are dry before using them. 1 grain of dye powder goes a very very long way when wet.

5) Mix dye carefully with no slopping.

6) Keep an old towel or paper towels handy for wiping up spillage

7) Add the mordant at the end rather than early in the process, that ensures any early spillage will not be permanent.

Following these rules, the only set back I had was when emptying a pan of blue dye into the sink it turned the sink blue. That's the only time dye had affected the sink. Bleach soon cleared it out.

Incidentally I use a Jam thermometer, made of stainless steel, and dye most things at around 80 degrees c than turn off the heat and leave it on top of the plate to keep warm while the dye takes. Feathers and fragile hair is dyed at 60 degrees c or less.
Good luck

[blaydon buzzer]

Originally Posted by Gander

I am gradually being forced into DIY dyeing if I want to have access to materials in the colours I would like them in. I have dyed materials before using saucepans and Veniards powders in the kitchen, but it wasn't popular with the wife as I did turn one worktop Claret.

If I'm going to have to do it again, then I'm going to do it properly. What I was thinking of using is something like this:-

Clifton 9 Litre Unstirred Thermostatic Bath - Shallow - NE1-9 [NE1-9] - £339.00 : LabSource, Specialists In The Supply Of General Laboratory Equipment.

I believe that the newer Jacquard dyes take best to a steady temperature of around 60 deg.C. My question is, is there an easier (preferably cheaper) way of dyeing i.e Stainless Steel container with immersion heater etc?

I am also interested in any thoughts from those who have experience in dyeing in relation to which dyes they have found best for which colours etc.

hi
my friend uses a large water boiler for all his dying .. but not sure how you could do it on a smaller scale .. hope that helps you .. ps let me know how you get on ..

[fishingosprey2]

Hi Gander,
Have you thought of using a deep fat fryer, you can pick these up for just a few pounds at local supermarkets.

[stevekale]

I would say that a 9 litre temperature-controlled bath is a little over the top unless you are going commercial. In the dyeing I have done, maintaining exact temperature has not been critical. Close is good enough.

I can understand being kicked out of the kitchen. What about a portable induction cooker with a gastronom pan on top?

Or even cheaper:

Lloytron Stainless Steel Two Hob Electric Boiling: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

Lloytron Stainless Steel Two Hob Electric Boiling: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home