This is my 2nd year soaping , 1st year selling and the summer posed both a mental and physical challenge. First I fell horribly behind in production. I supply one store and do weekend flea markets (two now). Once it got HOT, I just mentally did not want to make soap.
Then the store that carries my soap ordered 50 bars instead of their usual 20 bars, and I went on a beach vacation. When I got home I found out about an upscale market that accepted me as a vender. I had to get soaping!
My first attempt at hot weather hp shocked me, I set my oven at 250, which worked in the winter, put a pot of soap in the stove, checked it after 1 min, turned around and checked it two minutes later and it was the biggest volcano I'd ever seen. My neighbor had to dismantle my stove in order for me to clean out all the soap. The batch was beautiful, even though I lost two lbs in the stove.
Then I heated some tallow on the stove and did a juice colored bar (yes Goya Tamarind juice makes a nice colored soap). I stick blended for about 4 minutes, and I noticed my batter started growing before my eyes. I had to hurry and toss it in a deep bucket. It doubled in size before i beat it down.
So now I do rtcp, make sure my soaps are not high in sugar or that my oils are to hot. I pour at light trace and pray, and accept the fact hp takes a lot of delicate attention. It's so hot in Philadelphia, I am achieving full gel within 5 minutes with no insulation.
I pretty proud that I can now pour 64 bars in one session, two different batches, and If I can stay motivated I should be able to get some holiday batches poured. My goal to use up all my base oils making soap in some marathon soaping sessions.
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