Janis, You can pour warm as long as you don't cap the container. The heat will create condensation - extra water - that will compromise your preservative system. I always pour cool. After my lotion batch is ready, I store in baggies, unscented and uncolored (though, I rarely use colorant). I use the smaller and larger ziplock bags so that can choose the appropriate size for the order. I usually scent the lotion when I need to fill an order.