Teach Soap

_________________
Steph
www.cajuncauldron.com

I am totally with naturescaulsron---- haven't used a thermometer for over a year now. I do exactly the same except I use all crushed frozen goat milk for my liquid. It's less likely for me to see gel this way--- I like how it keeps the color better if it doesn't gel. The lye is going to eat the oil eventually---- you just have to wait a bit longer with the cp method.

I figure the most important things to do with soaping is weigh the ingredients exactly and use a lye calc. ( well and you know the safety stuff too )

_________________
You may be only one person to the world, but you may also be the world to one person

I have noticed that I soap at about 105F - 110F when I bother to take the temp. at all. However, my Lye/water is usually done beforehand and is room temp. when I use it. ( Don't do this with kids around!)
I found that the hotter the soap oils are the less control I have over the batch seizing up on me.
(In Hawaii, I would soap cooler than that because my oils were mostly melted already!)
I know what you mean about lack of info! When I first started soaping there wasn't much info. out there either!

Thanks for your replies. I’m looking forward to the day where I feel confident enough to not rely on my thermometers but until then I might just try soaping a bit cooler…

_________________
Always be kind to your enemies. It messes with their heads.

My blog:

http://blog.knoxfarms.com/

Leave me lots of comments!

Since I've made many, many batches over the years, I go by touch as well. I would say my lye water and oils are around 100 to 110 degrees (US)
If you're not sure, I would suggest getting a thermometer.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

_________________
- Mickey!

I've had fast traces with both hot and RT oils. It just depends.

_________________
Always be kind to your enemies. It messes with their heads.

My blog:

http://blog.knoxfarms.com/

Leave me lots of comments!