Teach Soap

I am about to make my third batch...1st 1 was a disaster and the 2nd one turned out great...so I have a ? If I prepare my oils in advance- say if I decide to measure everything out ahead of time, like even a day before, is that a problem? I wouldn't do it for the EO or the colorant and obviously not for the lye, but I was thinking what would be the harm in leaving the oils in the covered pot overnight or even for a couple of days? I live in San Diego so no freezing issues or hot temperatures, it's pretty temperate here. Is this just a crazy idea? Thanks in advance! I love this forum btw!

I did that yesterday - not by choice, but I stuffed up my goat's milk and was a bit lost for my next move. My oils were already combined and melted, so I just took it off the stove top, popped the lid on and left it while I worked out my next plan of attack. They were sitting there for better part of the day (I'd say 5 - 6 hours at least), and they were fine when I went back to them.

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

I've measured out my oils for three batches at a time, and then had issues where I couldn't soap that weekend, and my measured oils were stored in covered buckets for a week. The next weekend when I was ready, I had to pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds or so because the hard oils had hardened up a bit and made the mixture kind of slushy. No problems at all, and now I measure out my oils in advance all the time.

I prepare batches ahead of time. Since I use beeswax, when I'm ready, I just gently melt the oils til almost melted, then stir the rest of the way.

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

Thank you everyone so much....now im off to my soap kitchen!

I always do 2# batches so I like to measure and freeze my goat's milk in individual containers so that all I need to do is thaw until slushy and then mix with lye.

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

This would be one benifit to having a set receipe.... being able to have several batches measured at one time. I could see this as a must if I were to sell my soaps.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

This is interesting because one of my local suppliers (in Knoxville) is looking into a pre-made CP soap base that you just need to add lye to. I thought they were referring to a rebatch base, but they said no - it was a blend of oils. I'd never heard of that and they told me that it is being developed by one of their suppliers. I think I will have to try it if the price is reasonable, just to see what it does!

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

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

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

True, but when I first started I would not have minded a little more security. Now I could see using it if I need to get a batch made quickly! I also would think that when mixing up a batch there would be no reason that if you measured the oils for two batches mixed and saved one you would have the same thing, but your own receipe. I may have to look for a container to do this with. That would save me the time and effort of having to haul the oils up to my kitchen each time. Maybe it is time for me to settle on a set receipe once and for all.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

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

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

You can SLIGHTLY warm lye water in a hot water bath. NEVER try to warm it in the microwave or a pot!!!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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