Teach Soap

I'm not sure what's supposed to be so bad about rebatching, aside from the more "rustic" appearance I really enjoy the feel of rebatched soaps. Basically it's melting down cold process soap with a little water (depending on how old the soap is), sometimes with additives you wanted to keep out of the saponification process.

_________________
Anna Rose @-}--
blog

I don't rebatch often but the only con I have is how you cannot get any real swirls, some pros id you can use things that normally don't with stand the harsh pH of soap

_________________
Anna Rose @-}--
blog

I hate rebatching. The final soap is too rustic for my taste. I find them aesthetically challenged

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

I'd like to try it, because I love me some rustic!

Even though I read this topic a few times I still have questions (haha). So as far as I understand gelling means just letting soap do whatever it needs after it is poured in a mold? And not gelling means preventing soap from gelling like putting it in a freezer?
For example, with my first two batches I covered the molds with soap with the lid and then a thick blanket on top. First batch partially gelled (I posted a pic earlier in My first soap thread), second batch went through gel phase completely - I peeked under the towel and saw that it all was somehow translucent and warm.
Tonight I am making my third batch and this time I put the lid on the mold with soap but didn't cover it with towel. It hardened already and looks white and creamy. Will it still gel?
Can I say that I gelled first two batches and didn't gel the third?
I read in some tutorials soap makers say that you can cover the molds with towel or leave it like that but they don't explain will it still gel if uncovered or not.
Sorry if my questions sound silly, just trying to understand the process

I've had soap completely gel in the fridge...
"Generally" speaking, a soap that is uninsulated either won't gel or will only partially gel. The insulation helps ensure a full gel. It sounds like your last soap didn't gel, but when you cut it you may find that the center gelled a bit. Soaps with milks or sugars will want to gel, as will some fragrances (spice notes), even when uninsulated.

Just when you think you have everything figured out, the soap will do something unexpected!

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

My ungelled soaps go in the fridge or the freezer; up to overnight. I prefer the lighter color, the smooth texture and most of the time I can use less fragrance.

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

Thanks for replies!
A little update - my last soap partially gelled as I discovered a few hours later. Now it has two shades of color. Just when I liked the white smooth creamy texture of the soap Ah well, next time I will put it in the freezer!

I must mention though that I use Lavender EO in this batch. Does Lavender EO help with gel?

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