Teach Soap

Is there a recommended percentage of soft oils for a recipe that you intend to swirl?

I found a couple of videos that Anne-Marie had done of the spin swirl. I never tried that one before, and I was intrigued.

My soap started thickening on me before I was done, so even though I got the majority of the pour done, there wasn't much in the way of swirling.

I checked my recipe, my standard 100% vegetable oil recipe, and it's 45% soft oils. One of the videos that Anne-Marie did had about 57% soft oils.

I'm guessing mine doesn't have quite enough, but as I really like my recipe, is there some kind of range? A starting point?

I was using a lemon/lavender blend, which shouldn't have sped things up. Soaped at 90 degrees since I was using goatsmilk and cream. My water was at 38%.

Any ideas, suggestions, recommendations on soft oil percentages?

Thanks!

Anita

Are you sure it wasn't thickening due to the low temps? Soaping at low temps can start the oils solidifying or you can get a false trace.
You can also try using a stainless steel whisk instead of a stick blender.

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

Thanks, Irena. I hadn't thought about the temps.

My next attempt at this swirl will be a lard soap with anise. The recipe is 30% lard, and I know the lard will slow the trace.

Anne-Marie used a lazy Susan in her video, and I didn't. That might also make a difference, if I wasn't moving from one side of the table to the other. Granted, it only takes a few seconds per pour, but since I was pouring many times, that adds up.

I will master this!



Anita

Good luck on your next batch.

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