Soap Makers Help!

[MullersLaneFarm]

In a PM, SMom asked me this

why would someone want to prevent vs encourage the gell stage?

I can only give my opinion.

Many folks think they have to prevent gel on milk soaps so it won't darken. Others are concerned about their EO/FO burning off with gelled soaps. Still others like the appearance of an ungelled soap vs a gelled soap

I'm a geller - I also only make milk soaps.

All my soaps are light in color.

Gelled soaps get to about 170* F. You're EO/FO should be able to handle this.

The only soaps I won't insulate for gel are soaps with honey in them. They will gel on their own and don't need further insulation.

Any un-gellers out there that can give their opinion on this?​

 

[smom1976]

Quote:
it has only been in the mold about 15 hours.. I poured it about 7pm last night.. it is now almost 10 am the next day..

I am now wishing I would have left it...

but it is still good...

I stuck the whole mold on my dryer and turned it on..

everything but the top gelled again.. I was so hoping that the top would gell because then it would get smooth again... it is a little lumpy... (I really dont like that look, I know just cosmetic) I am thinking that we will unmold tomorrow evening.. and slice into bars..

oh and dont worry I will post pics..

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Is it firm to the touch?? Is it cool??

Unmold it NOW!!!

I just want to see pictures!!

Besides, don't you need the mold to make another batch today???

 

[amyquilt]

Quote:
AMEN and AMEN!

 

[amyquilt]

WHY did I click this thread!!!????

I haven't made soap in over a year and a half...have no lye, no oils....dangit!!! Now I want to make soap again!!!

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Quote:
No, mineral oil will not saponify - neither will turkey red castor oil

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

ALWAYS add the lye to the water

Being one that seems to have to learn things the hard way .... or is it just having to see for myself ...

I (gasp) added room temperature water to lye.

Now, I used a deep container, had the container in the sink. was decked out in full hazmat suit (ok, not really, but I did have a full face shield, long sleeves & gloves, and for once wasn't barefoot.

It did not explode, it didn't even bubble up. It got hot real quick and some of the lye crystallized on the bottom of the container.

Still - I will always recommend adding your lye to the liquid.


hmmm, wonder if I were to add less water to the lye, or dribble it in instead of dumping the whole thing ....

 

[Scrambled Egg]

Thank ya'll for the answer on the tallow and lard...I think I prefer to use lard as I really have no interest in rendering tallow..although the books I bought show clearly how to do it and suggest getting the butcher to run the suet through the meat grinder to help it break down better..but I am not that into the grass roots of it...the lard will be fine!! Thanks for the answers!!! My goal is to have my first batch made by the middle of february or sooner. Really nice to have such great resources here!!!!

 

[chiknwhisperer]

lol I made another order for more soaping oils and a mold and it got shipped yesterday. I have alreay checked it three times today so far and I'm sure I will have checked it a few more times before I got to bed. I've been selling my bars for $3 each and made $21 today. I figure since I'm just begging I won't ask much for them till I get better.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:
You're so funny! You'll be proud of me. I only checked my last scent order 3 times after it was shipped.

I bought something new for my soaping today - 3 six-packs of Calendula - 2 yellow and 1 orange. Plus, I bought a couple packets of seeds - one yellow/orange mixed and then one called Calendula Zeolights. It's a pinkish/peach color with a bit of maroon to it, depending on what stage of growth it is in. If the orange calendula stays orange in soap and the yellow stays yellow, would the pinkish one stay pink??? I hope so.

Forgot to ask - what oils did you get?