Teach Soap

Afternoon all,
Does anybody pre-mix their oils to save time on soap day? I did this once for "craft day" at our cabin we take trips to with friends. I didn't want to drag along all of the oil containers, scale, bowls.... so I pre-measured/mixed the oils in one container then the lye, water, and EOs each in their own containers. This cut way down on the items I needed to take with and was a snap come craft day.
I've found that the oils for my current recipe fit perfectly in a one quart mason jar so if I'm measuring for one batch, it doesn't take much more time to measure for a couple more. Are there any draw backs for having a couple jars of pre-mixed oils on hand?

Thanks!

We do this A LOT in the soap lab and it really helps! I love having the premixed oils/butters all ready to go! If you use palm oil just make sure to always fully melt your mixes!

I pre mix my oils , measure out the fragrance, water and mix my colors the night before. Since I live in Fl the lye can not be weighed out ahead of time because of the humidity.
It is like getting ready for school everything is ready to go :0.

Yes! I figure out how much soap I will be making that week and mix a big batch of oils. I heat it until they are all thoroughly melted and then I use them as needed. If I can't get to the whole mix, I put a lid on the container and keep in a cool dark room. I try to never mix more than I can get to in a timely manner. Within a week or so.

I also master batch my lye and it also is in a safe container with a lid kept out of the way. When I need it I pour what I need out and shelf the rest until another time. It is very convenient!

In the professional baking world they have a term called "mis en place" which is a term that means "everything in it's place." Makes for quick efficient work in the kitchen. It applies every bit as much to the soaping kitchen.

I too would like to know of any snags or draw backs other soapers have run into doing this. What is the longest amount of time you had pre-mixed oils on hand?

Have a great day!

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Amanda

"We rise by lifting others."

There's no issue with premixing your oils for each batch separately. Where you might get in trouble is if you premix into one container for several batches because you don't know if you're getting the proper amount of each of the oils to go with the lye mixture when you pour it off to use it. It might be ok to mix for several batches in one container if you stir the you know what out of it before you pour off some to make soap. I would not do that, even thought I've been soaping for over 15 years. I do premix a single batch all the time. It's fine.

I, personally, would NEVER premix my lye mixture and let it sit around covered or otherwise. It would stress me out for safety reasons plus I use salt in my soaps which I put in my lye liquid. I don't know if it is okay to do, but that being said, your Draino and Liquid Plumbers are certainly premixed and bottled and they are okay. I would be careful to stir it well before using premixed lye liquid.

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