Soap Makers Help!

[Morgaine]

Quote:
I hope that helps.

I also wanted to share some pictures of the soaps I've made for Christmas gifts this year.

This one I used a lemon verbena fragrance oil and poppy seeds for some color. This batch wasn't quite ready to come out of the mold yet, so the design was messed up a bit. But I'll keep these for our use and just let the next batch sit for a few more hours.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/MorgaineK/soaphousewedding159.jpg

This one is oatmeal, milk and honey. I love the one. I put in ground oats, honey and powdered milk.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/MorgaineK/soaphousewedding160.jpg

I used the Brocade milky way molds from Brambleberry.com

A few questions here.. I used this calculation and my mold that I just finished holds 144 oz.. I did my measurements in inches.. that WAS correct???
My second question is 144 oz.. this is oils, lye, and water all combined CORRRECT?

I want to make a big batch

MP I am ready for some of your recipies LOL

This would be OILS only. Alot of soap molds measure the weight of oils only, not finished soap. Not sure why. I think a very rough estimate to calculate water and lye is water is about 30% of you oils and lye 10-15% depending on your superfatting % and all that. Good Luck! So far the biggest batch I have made has been three pounds. But I'm getting my dh to build me one once I get the demensions worked out.

 

[BirdBrain]

Quote:
I have been discounting my water lately and it has been turning out wonderfully. The bars are much firmer earlier. I usually have about 25-28% water. I made some soap the other day (a week ago) and it is nice ad firm and ready to go. I would like for it to mellow a bit more, but it can be gifted early if I have too.

 

[redhen]

Hi, I was wondering if i could use this old fahsioned type ice cube tray(with the center insert removed) as a soap mold? Its a tin/metal type material...can i use a metal mold?, Thanks, Wendy

 

[cheeptrick]

Quote:
I'd say yes...tin is highly corrosion resistant....but then I'd say NO because it is an antique...and you should keep it nice. I'm pretty sure tin is made from steel...which is why you cannot squish a tin can with your bare hands. IF you are certain it is TIN...but if not...maybe LINE IT with parchment paper?

Maybe others will weigh in.

I love the ice cube tray....

PS I have the same cook top stove.....MAYTAG Gemini double convection oven!

 

[cheeptrick]

Ok...MY FINAL answer is NO. The research I did on Tin is that you do not know exactly what they used to make it.....mostly steel and iron it appears....but aluminum has been added also.

Anyone else?

I'd suggest wood molds...I love mine.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

All I can add to this is . . .

While making soap one day, I was mixing my lye and water. When I inserted my thermometer to the lye water to monitor the temperature, I accidentally knocked the aluminum clamp into the lye water. It immediately began fizzing and making a fuss. I managed to get it out of there, but it immediately told me why you don't want to mix a lye concoction with a reactive metal. Yes, I realize that much of the process has already taken place by the time you're mixing your oils, but there's always the chance that there will be a reaction.. You could probably line the tray with freezer paper/wax paper/trash bags and be fine but using it straight could be a problem.

 

[redhen]

hi..thanks for the replys!..and LOL...Cheeptrick...yup!..thats my stove!..youre good!..

....i havent made the lye soap yet(still a chicken..

...)..but, i am getting all the info i can before i do(love this thread!)..and trying to figure out what to use for a mold...so, the ice tray is out.(darn!)..back to the drawing board!...thanks guys!, Wendy

 

[redhead83402]

as far as molds go ~ I have actually used an old cardboard corndog box ( 36 count corndogs, lol) lined with plastic, it holds 130 to 150 ounces total fats, oils & water/lye soution very very nicely. Also, an old shoe box lined with plastic worked beautifully for the 200 ounce batch, and my stainless steel 19 x 24 chafing pan lined with plastic worked beautifully for 250 - 300 total ounces. Right now, my husband is working on using some leftover pergo flooring pieces to make me a permanent (REAL!, lol!) mold, that won't need lined, and will break away easily. We have also played with the idea of using a leftover piece of countertop for a mold, but the fresh soap seems to wear down a little the laminate of the countertop, so that may not work out.

Another fun mold idea ~ I used some plastic cookie holders & even went & bought some of those snasty chocolate cupcake thingys, just so I could use the plastic holders. They worked very well, with soap temps at around 100*F when poured. I did prevent gel stage on these soaps, and I almost like them better ~ they don't have that glycerin look to them, but they do harden up very very nicely. ~Red

 

[chiknwhisperer]

I finished wrapping my soaps for Christmas but I have been so busy that I kept forgetinng to upload the pictures lol. I will upload them later today or tonight. Sorry. But everyone that has looked at them said they look great. So

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

no for the ice tray, but there are many, many, many items around the house that can be used, especially if lined with plastic.