Teach Soap

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I've run these two recipes through the Bramble Berry Lye Calculator as I want to "double" the small batch size.
This is my very first try at making CP soap and I soooo don't want to get this wrong!

Even at the single batch size in the book my liquids are looking very low compared to the Lye Calc. Recipes are from Anne L. Watson's Smart Soapmaking book.

In the lye calc I superfatted at 5%.

Recipes in book are as follows:

Shea Butter Soap
10.5 oz (298 g) coconut oil
10.5 oz (298 g) olive oil
9 oz (255 g) shea butter
8 oz (227 g) distilled water (lye calc says 9.9 oz)
4.2 oz (119) lye

Almond Facial Soap
5.9 oz (167 g) fractionated coconut oil
22.1 oz (627 g) almond oil
7 oz (198 g) distilled water (lye calc says 9.24oz)
4.1 oz (116 g) lye

Thanks!!!
Jeannine

_________________
Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

I just ran your recipe through Soapcalc, which is the lye calc I use most of the time, and it's showing your original recipe from the book as using a 2:1 water to lye ratio, which isn't very much. Even a lot of experienced soapers don't go that low with their liquid. Was Anne Watson adding any other liquid to the soap recipe? If so, that could be why the water amount is lower.

I think you will be fine using the amounts from BB's calculator - they are totally in line with soapcalc's amounts. Some soapers like to discount their water for various reasons (I do this for 100% olive oil soap) and usually figure my water or milk at 33-35% of my oils. Soapcalc defaults to 38%.

Good luck with your soap!

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

For 4.1 ozs. of lye, I would use at least 8.2 ozs. of water.

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

Thanks so much for your replies Linda and Irena. Those were the complete recipes and no other liquids. The optional fragrance amout is 1.2oz which I forgot to mention earlier. That may do it. I just might try it as written. I'll let you know how it turns out
I've looked at soapcalc and need to understand it better. Bramble Berry's seemed easier for a newbie.

Jeannine

_________________
Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

_________________
Debbie

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Oh I have soooo much to learn! Boggles my brain right now but I'll get it!...............eventually
Jeannine

_________________
Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

If you just need to know how much water and lye you need for your recipe, try The Sage Lye calculator. It won't tell you how good the recipe is though.

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

Thanks Irena

_________________
Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

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

Well this morning I FINALLY made CP!!! Had a bit of trouble in that the lye solution got too cool. Having no idea how to increase the temp on it, the thought of heating it up scared me to death so I dumped out in the field behind my house and started my lye mix over again. Since I don't have the greatest exhaust fan in the kitchen I did this part outside. Doggie was put in the bedroom until everything was cleaned up and I wore all the correct attire without any mishaps. I'm telling you, CP is not for the faint of heart hahaha. Took me almost 3 hours to prep, make and clean up. All for about 7-8 bars of soap! I'm surprised hand made soap doesn't go for $20/bar In the middle of this I kept wondering what in the world possessed me to do this
So my soap is setting in the milk carton I used until my wood loaf mold arrives. It better get here SOON! If it turns out I'll have Gingersnap Shea Butter Soap in time for Christmas....YIPEEEE! The house is smelling wonderful! I'll let you all know how it turns out tomorrow after I unmold it.
Now, onto my next recipe! Any suggestions?

Jeannine

_________________
Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

Do NOT dump lye water on the ground! Dump it in the sink if you must. You could have gently heated up the lye solution by putting it in the sink with very warm water.

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

Oh Irena...sure wish I knew that
I had the lye mix in a stainless steel pot so my only thought at the time was putting it on the stove. Dang it...
Thanks so much for your feedback!

I'll get this right someday.....boohoo

Jeannine

_________________
Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

Yay Jeannine!!!! Congrats on your first batch! It will go a lot easier from now on - the first batch is always the hardest, even when it turns out perfectly!

After a couple of batches, you'll get into a rythym and it will go more quickly.

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Thanks Linda for your encouragement! I sure hope it turns into soap. Think I poured at what looked to be trace and checked for a temperature rise like my book said. We will see

Jeannine

_________________
Jeannine

~the journey is everything~