Teach Soap

I am new to the forum, but not new to soap, been making soap for about 10 years, except for a break of about 4 years. I was using the same wonderful recipe, having wonderful success for years, and then all of a sudden, (without changing the recipe or the ingredients) my soap would accelerate, or sieze. I would pour my solutions together and would be at trace within seconds, and if I wasn't fast enough I would have a pitcher full of solid soap. I have tried fresh oils, different recipes, never using fragrances of any kind or colorants. What am I doing wrong? It's incredibly frustrating, and makes me not want to make soap, hence the four year hiatus. Does any body have any ideas? Thank you.

Welcome!
What is the temp of the oils and lye water when you combine them? How old is the lye?

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

My lye is fresh, I have made sure that all my ingredients are fresh. I have not used a thermometer before with my soapmaking, just going by feel. So, I don't know the temps. However, I have been using this same method the whole time. Honestly I am baffled, I have not changed techniques, and I have tried other recipes, with the same result. I fact I just tried a basic three oil recipe that I collected online last week, It traced in less than 30 seconds, not even enough time to mix it well and add anything to it.

Sounds like it could be one of your base oils then. Is it possible that your olive oil is adultarated? I've had that happen to me.

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