I DO melt my shea. I tried it a couple times by just warming it and it was grainy. Melting it completly,until it is clear,seems to cure that. I take my melted butters out of the microwave, transfer them to my steel mixer bowl ...add my other oils...then pop it into the freezer for a bit. I check it periodically...as it sets up...I scrape the sides down. Once it iis almost back to solid...I scrape the bowl again then put it in the mixer and let it whip on low for a few min then turn it to high until I get the volume I want.