Teach Soap

Hi There,

Out of interest. Is there a set / best temperature to have your lye and oils before combining?

Thanks

Micaela

Different strokes, different folks, but within 10 degrees of each other is best. I think the most recommend temps. are between 110-125 degrees F, But it really depends upon the recipe and personal preference. Some people even soap at room temp Until you have a good feel for it, I suggest you stay around 115-120 unless using a recipe that calls for something different.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

For normal CP soaping, I target between 110-130 degrees F. The oils and lye temperatures should be within 10 degrees of each other. I'll frequently prep the lye then wait until it gets to about 120 degrees in the fridge/freezer. Using the microwave then, I'll do short 10-15 second bursts to raise the oils temperature to be within 10 degrees or 110-120 degrees F.

You can also Room Temperature CP soap (RTCP), which has both oils & lye at about 100 degrees F. It's slightly hotter than normal room temperature, because your solid oils need to be (clear) liquid, which will happen around 100 degrees F.

There are even those who use the lye mixture to melt the hard oils by combining the hot lye with the cold oils. I've never done it this way because it's unpredictable how it will react.

I soap right around 110 for both oils and lye water. If you are a novice to soapmaking, take the temps til you are comfortable with the process. Room temp oils and lye might give you a false trace, which would make the soap lye heavy. Melting oils with screaming hot lye can accelerate trace.

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

Oh Yay I've been aiming right. Thanks

This looks too good to be true. Does anyone work this way?

Thanks!
Jeannine

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Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

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

Yes, I do this most of the time. But only because it is a time saver. And yes, I do find it accelerates trace a little, which means if I am doing a floral or spice I would choose the warm oils, cool lye method. So, note they break those hard oils into small pieces... that is VERY helpful, and I will usually melt most of my cocoa butter - this is a very hard substance and I just find this helpful. Now I also have to say... I soaped for 3 years before I jumped into this method and it still took me one or two tries to like it - the soap always turned out. If I was teaching someone to soap I would not start with this. Some advantage to a thicker trace... if doing layers with or without a pencil line it helps, and if I am going to texture my tops it is nice to have a heavy trace.

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

I tried this method over a year ago and have been soaping this way ever since! I don't have a problem with it accelerating trace and can usually do all kinds of swirls. I agree with Susie that it might not be the best method for a new soaper, but you should definitely try it.

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

Thanks so much Linda and Susie! After I get a few more batches under my belt, I'm going to give it a try

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Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

For certian essential oils that accelerate the reaction...like Thyme...I allow my lye water and oil mixture to cool to room temperature before mixing them. However, the solid oils have been melted and mixed with the "liquid oils" already.

I never tired this method myself but now I am thinking about it.

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http://www.mr-naturkosmetik.de