How to Make a Large Batch of Plaster of Paris

Making a large batch of Plaster of Paris is easy, inexpensive, and quick. You can use it for many crafts and projects. Kids love playing with it as well.

My daughter and I were planning to make a lot of DIY gauze ghosts for our Halloween Front door decor.

So we had to make a large batch (about 10 Cups) of Plaster of Paris. 

Plaster of Paris is super inexpensive being made using just two ingredients: flour and water. It is simple, inexpensive, and holds well—provided you allow sufficient drying time.

To make Plaster of Paris you use one part water to two parts flour—except that when you make a large batch the flour can be more compact and therefore more thickening.

Making a large batch of Plaster of Paris is a little harder to get the right consistency… so you have to add additional water until you get it correct.

I have found when making large batches of Plaster of Paris that it is more about getting the right consistency than the correct measurements.

 

Supply list for a Large Batch of Plaster of Paris

large mixing bowl— I put a nonslip oven mitt under the bowl if it would slip when mixing.

food thermometer

hand mixer

pyrex 4 Cup measuring cup

mixing spoon

sauce pan (to heat the water)

spatula

Ingredients for a Large Batch of Plaster of Paris

4-6 Cups of hot water. Add 4 Cups first then more. You want the water to be hot (between 130-140ºF) 

8 Cups flour all-purpose

How to Make a Large Batch of Plaster of Paris

Watch this video and/or continue reading.

1. Heat 4 Cups of water until 120-140º Fahrenheit (hot to the touch but not too hot to burn).
   
2. Using a hand mixer mix in 4 Cups of all-purpose flour. Once that comes together, mix in another 4 Cups
   
3. Heat up 2 Cups of water to 120-140ºF and add 1/4 C at a time. Continue mixing until the consistency is thick but becomes easy to stir by hand with a spoon or spatula.
   

For most large projects, like gauze ghosts, pinatas, paper mache, etc. as long as you are somewhat close to the correct consistency, and your project is allowed to completely dry, it will hold well. 

The gauze ghosts my daughter and I made, turned out so cute and have held up well in the wind, moisture, and sunshine.

 

They have been outside on our front porch for over a week and are still holding their shapes perfectly.

 

This is such a great recipe as it is inexpensive, quick, and easy to make. My kids loved helping with making it as well. My daughters (as you can see in the video) loved the texture. At times we would have to stop and wash our hands well to keep the crusting plaster forming on our hands from getting back into the bowl, but overall it was easy to work with and worked well.

I hope this How to Make a Large Batch of Plaster of Paris tutorial was helpful for you.

 

How to Make a Large Batch of Plaster of Paris

Yield: 10 Cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Print

Ingredients

• 4-6 Cups of hot water. Add 4 Cups first then more. You want the water to be hot (between 130-140ºF) 
• 8 Cups flour all-purpose

Instructions

1. Heat 4 Cups of water until 120-140º Fahrenheit (hot to the touch but not too hot to burn).
2. Using a hand mixer mix in 4 Cups of all-purpose flour. Once that comes together, mix in another 4 Cups
3. Heat up 2 Cups of water to 120-140ºF and add 1/4 C at a time. Continue mixing until the consistency is thick but becomes easy to stir by hand with a spoon or spatula.

Notes

For most large projects, like gauze ghosts, pinatas, paper mache, etc. as long as you are somewhat close to the correct consistency, and your project is allowed to completely dry, it will hold well. 

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

 

 

For other ‘rich living tips’ please subscribe, like me on Facebook, and follow me on  Pinterest and  Instagram.