Arizona Chickens

[Gallo del Cielo]

Why are there so many soapers?

I never knew there was such a thing as a soaper before I read byc. Can someone tell me why you would make your own soap? Am I missing out on something?

SNOW?

Low of 31 tomorrow, high of 41 in Tucson!

 

[Tanichca]

http://sokore.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/tanis-flock-2011/ My birds this year! Including the newbies!

 

[tofuranch]

I am a soaper too...I have made it with goat milk , fresh cow milk and sheep milk

I love making soap.

I think that soap is a farm thing, I know LOTS of people that make it

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
That's strange. I guess my family just didn't know about it. I was raised through to adulthood on fresh milk from our cows and goats but we never made soap. We made all of our butter and cheese, but I never even connected dairy with soap. I'll have to ask my mother about that. Maybe I just forgot. That seems to happen more and more.

BTW, 1000 lbs of feed is a lot of feed! Good luck securing everything before the storm.

 

[cluckin_crazy]

Quote:
Oh bummer! SOmetimes a new flock and a new place to find in the packing order is just what birds need. I've rehomed a couple for the same reason. Let me know if you don't find anyone. I live on the Gilbert Queen Creek broder.

 

[AZBootsie]

Quote:
I use powdered goats milk. I am sure fresh would be much better. Just watch your temps closely....keep everything as cool as possible. For the past couple of years I have been using ice to mix with the lye instead of water. It melts as the lye warms up. Then pour the goats milk into the cold lye mix just before combining it with your cooled oils. I think you would have less chance of curdle. Don't insulate your curing soap or it will turn really brown.

Cold may sound wrong, but try it. There was a big presentation on using ice and cool oils at the Handcrafted SoapMakers conference in Palm Springs a couple of years ago. I came home and tried it right away. It was much easier and it keeps your EO and FO stronger. I also learned not to worry about reaching a full trace before pouring. Now I pour at a very light trace. Believe it or not it works, no seperation or failed batches.

 

[tofuranch]

Quote:
That's strange. I guess my family just didn't know about it. I was raised through to adulthood on fresh milk from our cows and goats but we never made soap. We made all of our butter and cheese, but I never even connected dairy with soap. I'll have to ask my mother about that. Maybe I just forgot. That seems to happen more and more.

BTW, 1000 lbs of feed is a lot of feed! Good luck securing everything before the storm.

I buy feed in a 1000 lb bag...it is ground for me by someone that lives up here. It does cost a lot less but....I have to put it away which takes many hands or ALOT of time.....I didn't get it all put away, but it is VERY well covered and that is just going to have to be good enough.

It is getting darker and colder and windier....but not raining yet, I wonder when it will start.

 

[tofuranch]

Quote:
I use powdered goats milk. I am sure fresh would be much better. Just watch your temps closely....keep everything as cool as possible. For the past couple of years I have been using ice to mix with the lye instead of water. It melts as the lye warms up. Then pour the goats milk into the cold lye mix just before combining it with your cooled oils. I think you would have less chance of curdle. Don't insulate your curing soap or it will turn really brown.

Cold may sound wrong, but try it. There was a big presentation on using ice and cool oils at the Handcrafted SoapMakers conference in Palm Springs a couple of years ago. I came home and tried it right away. It was much easier and it keeps your EO and FO stronger. I also learned not to worry about reaching a full trace before pouring. Now I pour at a very light trace. Believe it or not it works, no seperation or failed batches.

I dont ever add water, I use all milk, if you want you can freeze the milk and that will keep it colder

 

[mclevinson]

Quote:
AZBootsie,
Snow? Ugh. Soap AND chickens! Yeah baby. This is such a great group!

I also live in Gilbert and have chickens ....I have been wanting to learn about being a soaper...can I join for coffee also!!!

ChickChalet welcome! More is even better! I just ordered some soaping and lotion supplies and am determined to make a few batches by March 12th. Except we need some tile work and ...oh well, so it goes. But I can definately sneek out for tea and chuckles.

 

[mclevinson]

Quote:
Oh lovely GM soap. I have to admit that when I can get fresh properly handled gm that is yummy, I'd rather drink it than soap it. I usually use canned for soap. I mix the lye with 50% water, let it cool and then add frozen gm to make full gm soap. Stays light colored that way, and prevents carmelization which I personally think ruins a milk soap. If using straight gm then freeze it in a bag, break it up into your lye mixing container and sloooooooowly add the lye a little at a time...even using an ice bath externally to keep the temps down.