Teach Soap

I posted this trying to reply to the pinned gel phase post and didn't see it was locked so I'm reposting it here as general advice.

Firstly you need to establish whether to gel or not to gel. You don't need to gel any soap. Gelling merely speeds up the saponification process, which is why people like CPOPing soap because it ensures a full gel. If you're gelling and there isn't enough heat you'll only get partial gel. The Soap Queen explains it clearly here....



Specifically where you don't want soap to go through gel phase is when you're making soap with sugar and/or veg/fruits. As you can see from soapbuddy's honey soap, that's what gel phase can do with soaps with sugars in them - they increase heat a lot. I do carrot and honey, avocado, banana, etc. soaps and I don't gel any of them, into the freezer - for 12 hours - they go. You can gel them but then you run the risk of veg/fruit getting scorched and turning the soap brown and smelly. I have gelled them before, just to experiment, and there always seemed to be a hiccup with partial gel or colors and smells coming out wrong so I don't even bother trying anymore.

And if you're gelling soap, don't peak! You'll let out precious heat and you may end up with a partial gel. Which while it doesn't affect the soap per se, it does affect how it looks and isn't as nice. I either CPOP my soaps or put them in covered molds into a heat/cold bag - the kind you get from a grocery store to keep things hot or cold, and leave it for at least 24 hours, sometimes even 2 or 3 days depending on the forumula.

A partial gel isn't necessarily bad. Once the soap is cured, it still makes a good soap. I've had soaps get a partial gel, even in the freezer. It really depends on the formula and if you use a fragrance oil. Some do make the soap hotter.

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

lol @ the title.

I have been reading about gelling all morning. So I am taking it that sometimes there is simply no way to avoid it? I personally like the looks of the soap better without it, just a personal preference. But again, I barely have my toe in the water here. I know there is nothing wrong with it. I was just wondering if that's the case. Can all CP soaps go into the freezer after being placed into molds? Would you cover them first with plastic wrap? Thanks!

_________________
~Dharlee

I've had soap go through partial gel even in the freezer. I would rather just let them gel. It's easier all for me.
Yes, all CP soaps can go in the freezer. It is a good idea to cover them with plastic wrap, but if you have a lot of texture on the top, it might be difficult to do so.

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