Soap Makers Help!

[MullersLaneFarm]

I like the easy questions!! Makes me look smarter than I think I am!!

 

[OHhappychicks]

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[equine chick]

I made some awesome smelling sweet pumpkin and ginger soap today!

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Looking good! Did you use a pumpkin FO or pureed pumpkin? If you used an FO, don't be surprise when it turns a very dark brown.

 

[ParadisePoultry]

Hello Soapy Ladies !

I have a question for you. I have a 7 pound bag of palm oil from BB. I seem to recall reading somewhere ( can't remember where exactly, been reading WAY too much about soap lately), that you have to melt it down and sort of mix the whole thing as the oil separates. Mine looks pretty well homogenized to me. Does that mean you have to melt the whole thing every time? Cause that's a big hunk a oil to melt. It's in a sort of soft solid form right now. I can sqeeze out approximately the amount I need and fine tune from there. As it is in the bag, it really does not look separated now. And what about people who buy buckets and drums full at a time? Surely they don't melt and mix every time?


??????

Thanks, BJ

 

[GoldenPuppy]

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Does it say "homogenized" on the bag? (Or on their web site?)
If it does not say it, than yes, you will need to melt it and stir it well each time you use it. It won't look separate to your eye. You really can't tell with your eye un-homogenized vs. homogenized palm. It is very important that you melt & stir if the palm requires it.

Any easy tip: melt the 7 lbs. Stir it well. Then measure out what you need for your batch of soap (or a bit more because some will stick to your container when you go to use it). Put that in a separate container. Measure out again, separate container again. Do this until you have a bunch of separate containers that each contain the amount of oil you need for a batch of soap. Then it won't matter when it separates and hardens because each batch will be pre-measured with all the oil components in there. Does that make sense?

I buy palm in 50 lb. cubes. It is homogenized so I don't need to stir it. I've also gotten it in 7 lb jugs and 5 lbs pots. Those had to be melted and stirred with each use. The larger soap companies who buy drums use melters when they make soap.

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

I agree with GoldenPuppy, although I will ask you to entertain a caveat per Mike Lawson at Columbus Foods (aka Soapers Choice). Even the homogenized palm needs to be melted down and stirred together during the warm weather. If the homogenized palm oil isn't at least as thick as shortening, then melt it all, stir it up and keep it in a cool area where it will remain homogenized.

 

[ParadisePoultry]

Thank you ! Yes GPuppy, I was thinking of putting it into smaller batches after I melt it down. And no, it doesn't say homogenized on the label. I will melt it today after work and then put into containers. Hope to be joining all of you soon in the wonderful world of soap!!!!

 

[equine chick]

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I actualy used a f/o Yeah it did turn a light brown. I will post pic the top is brown, middle is lighter and sl orange almost looks loke a pumpkin pie bar, but smells heavenly not sweet but like fresh pumpkin with a butter note.

 

[GoldenPuppy]

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You're very welcome.

Don't forget to stir, stir, stir after melt.