Teach Soap

I made faux funnel pour soap this morning using a Pringles tin for the mould. Just checked it and it's risen at the too and cracked - a bit like a cake in a hot oven! I didn't insulate it. Will it be wrecked or do you think I'll be able to cut the cracked piece off later? Cracks look to be about 1/4" deep - so far. Was the Pringles tin a bad idea?
Robyn

I have calmed down now and googled the problem - so I figure it's overheating. I've put it in the fridge

Could be overheating yes.

What kind of Pringles container was it? Plastic or cardboard? The cardboard containers are lined with what I think is aluminum foil? Did you line it? Aluminum is not good with soap!

The overheating could be dependent on your recipe or the fragrance that you used. As soon as the top starts to crack, put it in the fridge and the crack should close.

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

Oh dear, Bramble Momma, I think it's aluminium. I did look at it and go 'hmmmm' but I was sure I had heard of them being used. I think I'll crack it open today and have a look, might have to put that one down to a lesson learned. What does the aluminium actually do to the soap?
I put the container in the fridge. The crack didn't actually close but it didn't get any worse. I used pink grapefruit with cucumber melon - I don't know if that's an odd combination but I only had a tiny bottle of pink grapefruit and it wasn't enough. I haven't combined fragrances before. I really need to plan more - I place an order, which takes over a week to get to me, and then instantly think of something else I'd like, particularly with fragrances and colours. And I'm an instant gratification kind of girl.......
Robyn

If it is aluminum, it will definitely react with lye. I would not use it for soap.

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

When I first started, to deal with the "oh, crap, I need something else to make this soap I thought I ordered everything for" problem, I picked a specific day of the week as "supply ordering day". I could only order from BB or anywhere else on Tuesdays, giving me Wednesday-Monday to think of everything I needed and add it to my cart or wishlist. It was a pain to stick to when I did forget something, but I saved a bunch on shipping not placing two orders for every one project I needed supplies for.

I've taken it out of the tin and it actually looks okay, except it stuck a bit because it was a bit soft. I haven't cut it. When you say it reacts badly with lye Irena, what exactly does it do? Would it be dangerous to use? I knew about not using aluminium utensils, and I still can't believe I used the tin knowing it was,probably aluminium foil lining it, but if it destroys the tin it doesn't matter....I'm more concerned about the soap!
I know I should be more organised . I'm not buying stuff in large enough quantities and keep finding I've only got part of what I need and looking for subs

I seem to be having nothing but problems at the moment. I made another batch of soap this morning, have just checked and it has a small crack in the top as well. It's in a wooden log mould. The body of the soap has dark rich choc fragrance oil in it but the top, which is the bit with the crack, has no fragrance at all. Could it be overheating too? I put it in the fridge for 30mins when it was first poured then put a box and a towel over it. I've taken the towel off now.

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

I aim for 110 but this one was about 100. I always mix the lye solution before I do anything else because I live in a warm climate and it seems to take ages to cool down. Sometimes I stick it in an old fridge on the back verandah to help it along. Does the temp affect the time to takes to get to trace, or is that just the ingredients? I read everything I can get my hands on about the process, then when I need to remind myself of a piece of information, I can't remember where I read it and can't find it again! I have so many bookmarks.......

The warmer your oils and lye the faster the soap can trace. Since you soaped lower, my bet is on the fragrance.

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

The foil inside a pringles can is indeed aluminum. It is plastic coated though. I'd line with freezer paper next time though, just to be safe!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist