Teach Soap

Hi All
I'm so excited I did my first batch of soap today. But I have a few questions. Everyone talks about "zap". I have read 8 books and watched countless you tube videos and no one mentions it. What is it and how will I know if my soap does it or not? Not sure if it's a noun or verb?? #2 My lye mixture didn.t seem to stay hot. I made the solution outside and left it there until I measured and melted my oils. It was 106 degrees when I brought it inside. The oils I cooled to 110 degrees and combined. The mold seemed to get warm. I couldn't wait...I had to peek and it seems to have set. Not sure about the gel. Not sure exactly what it is. Good thing I didn't have more oils I would have spent the whole day in the kitchen.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Rhonda

Zap is like sticking your tongue on a 9 volt battery. If your soap gelled and you measured correctly, the soap should not zap. If it didn't gel, it can zap up to three days later. To test for zap, dampen your finger, then run your finger over a small surface of your soap. the lightly touch that finger to your tongue. Believe me, if it zaps, you would know. Soap can set without gelling. I would give it some time.

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

Congrats on your first batch, Rhonda! To test for excess lye, you can do a "zap" test. Like soapbuddy says, zap is like getting a hot, stinging jolt as if you'd licked the business end of a 9-volt battery. (I've never licked a battery before, but zap feels like I would image that would. I once touched some fresh soap to the tip of my tongue just to see what zap tasted like - you definitely know when you get zapped!) If the soap "zaps," it indicates excess lye. Gelled soaps usually don't zap after about 24 hours; ungelled soaps may zap for a few days longer because the saponification process is slowed. I usually do what soapbuddy suggests and wet my finger, rub it on the soap, and then touch my finger to my tongue so I don't have to actually lick the soap.

I typically combine my lye and oils when both are around 100-110 degrees F, so your temps sound about right. When soap gels, it gets hot and the center becomes darker and more gelatinous. Gel phase moves from the center to the edges. Here are some examples of gel phase: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5450

Have fun soaping!

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- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
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I have tried reading the old posts but can't seem to find an answer to another question. How do you clean up all you supplies used for soaping? Do they need any special care??

Do I need to get PH strips. I remember reading about them but they are a special type if I recall? Where can I find them?

Thanks for the previous replies. I have no friends that soap so this forum has been such a great source of information. Sorry for the dumb questions.

Rhonda

You can use pH strips instead of the zap test. I believe Bramble Berry sells them. I used to wash my soaping supplies right after I made the batch, but one of the super intelligent folks here suggested leaving it overnight. This way the residual batter saponifies and your dishes are pre-soaped! It makes cleaning them a LOT easier!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I have a basement kitch I use for soaping, so I usually leave them overnight, too. I wouldn't do that in my regular kitchen, in case the cats got curious.

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Lesli Sagan
Avital's Apiaries
Like us: http://www.facebook.com/AvitalsApiaries

Congrats on making your first batch of soap!!

Jrose-I love how you explained zap(it's like you licked the business end of a 9-volt battery)

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Debbie

I read somewhere on one of the other topics that some soapers save the drieds pieces from their equipment for other use. I thought that was so clever. "waste not want not". Funny how those old sayings come back to ya. I can't wait to try more soap. One more question.
Do they make 1 lb molds?? What is the most frequent size used?? I need to buy some ...just curious.
I guess that's two. My bad!!

Thanks,
Rhonda

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

I use quart size milk/cream/orange juice boxes for my smaller batches. A 1# recipes fills it perfectly and the cut bars are a good size to hold in your hand. Easy to unmold, too - all you do is tear the box away!

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

I think I need to pop up to the supermarket and stock up on OJ today!

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

Rhonda, I decided that since we all give a description of zap I should at least experience it! It is EXACTLY like sticking a 9 volt battery to your tongue! Or when you toss one of those ultra sour candies on your tongue, "warheads" they used to be called. A bit of a zing. I actually don't mind it LOL but I'll still prefer my soap not have it!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I am so excited. I cut it into bars. I tried"zap". No zap with my 1st ever batch. I think that's a good thing?? I tried it though and you should have seen my daughter. Mom's lost her mind she's tasting the soap. DADDDDDDDDDDDDD. It was so funny
Thanks for the explanation. I'm sure I'll have lots more as I get into this.

Rhonda

_________________
- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
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I HAVE had my tongue on a battery, my sister made me do it when I was little LOL

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist