Teach Soap

I found a recipe which I wanted to try, but needed to adjust it to fit my mould, which is somewhat larger than what the recipe was meant for. This in itself wasn't an issue because the oils were in percentages, so I ran it through the soapcalc to get the right water/lye amounts. I also adjusted (increased) the amounts of honey and sodium lactate accordingly. I followed the recipe very carefully and even put it in the freezer for the required 4 hours (it contains buttermilk). But - once it was hard enough to cut I discovered a sort of hollow centre filled with a dark syrupy liquid right throughout the length of the soap. I also noticed that it had partially gelled even though it spent time in the freezer! Any clues as to what I might have done wrong? Should I have increased the amount of honey??

Your soap overheated - that's why it looks the way it did when you cut it. It's probably from a combination of the buttermilk and honey. If you had added more honey it most likely would have volcanoed and overflowed the mold when it overheated. You can leave it in the fridge for 24 hours if you want. Or you can put it in the freezer to prevent gel. I've had soaps fully gel even in the fridge, but it usually keeps them from overheating.

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

Thanks for your reply ljm1180. So even though it spent 4 hours in the freezer it still overheated - I'm guessing I should have left it in the freezer for a lot longer then...
Just one other question, when a recipe needs adjusting should everything in that recipe (in addition to the oils/water/lye) be adjusted in proportion too? Or should you leave amounts of honey etc. as is?

Whenever you change any recipe ALL the amounts need to be adjusted. Honey and buttermilk both contains natural sugars. These can make your soap overheat, even in the freezer.
If you still want to use the buttermilk, lower the amount of honey; like only a teaspoon per lb. of oils.

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

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