Soap Makers Help!

[Backyard Buddies]

OK, I've got the gel phase, which I've never gotten with my other soaps.

Do I uncover now? Why does it look bumpy in the uncured part? Is that normal?

 

[cheeptrick]

It is turning into salt...that is why you are getting lumpy...it is just cosmetic....no worries. Soda Ash may form on the top.

NEW trick I learned....sprinkle 2-4 tbsps of beeswax into your oils at melting time and it will prevent the soda ash from forming on top.

My soap has never gelled this seriously before...are you in a wooden mold? I'm worried about the trash bag melting....

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Yep, it's actually an old desk drawer. This one is deeper than the one I usually use as I left the other drawer over with one of my garden buddies. Here's the odd thing. The solidified edges actually go away when I leave the lid off of it for a little bit. It doesn't feel hot enough to melt the trash bag, thankfully.

I don't have any beeswax, but as Ninja also recommended those to me, I'll put them on my list for the next time I order. Thanks for the tip.

 

[cheeptrick]

Sorry I should have read your first post before responding.

I would put this batch straight away in the refrigerator...the honey is heating it too high. When you cut after 48 hour cure look for big orange jelly globs....honey does this to cold process soap....safe but unsightly. Did you heat the honey before adding to the batch? Cool honey will seize the batch also...

Ok....I'm not sure if all is well...I've never had a batch gel like this before. Maybe someone else can come on and comment. Like I said....I try to prevent the gel phase as much as possible. But others who GEL may be able to help you.

 

[cheeptrick]

Quote:
Ok....I think you may have seized if the edges turn back into liquid.

Take a stainless steel wire whisk and GO at it if it is at all still liquid....this may help it. It will not mess up your cure....

 

[Backyard Buddies]

OK. I did that, but I think that was not a good idea. Now it's all lumpy! I'll post a picture.

 

[cheeptrick]

I see a towel in your picture...if this is a milk/honey based soap you do not have to insulate it...it will overheat if insulated. Whisking it will cool it down....

I make the tops of mine look like icing....it is very pretty.

I'll wait on your photo.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

I suspect that it was setting just fine. There are all kinds of solidified pieces that are now making lumpy soap.

Is there any way to rewarm it and repour?

 

[Backyard Buddies]

I hope I can rebatch this. Any ideas?

 

[cheeptrick]

Your soap is fine...

You can rebatch if you want....but I think this looks perfect. The pudding white color you had on the edges would have changed into this gel style soap in the center as you went further into the cure. Swirl the tops as much as possible...

I'll post pictures in a minute of my loaves that I do not gel...it does not change the soap and feels different than gelled soap...but same great soap.

Your soap is just old fashioned gelled soap....my milk batches that I insulated turned translucent in nature....like yours. But because I do not gel it stays milky white...