Teach Soap

I have seen and heard the term Gel or not gelled when making CP soaps. But I was hoping that you folks wouldn't mind a newbie question and clarify what Gel is referring to when making CP.

I sort of feel like I need a CP Soap Making for Super Dummies tutorial, lol

Thanks in advance for your patience!

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Pamper Pantry
www.pamperpantry.com
sales@pamperpantry.com

Soap does not need to gel in order for it to become soap. Gelling speeds up the saponification process.
There are pics of what gelled soap looks like on Kathy Miller's soap site: http://www.millersoap.com/#Soap%20Contents

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

Soapbuddy, Thanks!

That's a great site, lots of info. Can't wait to experiment some more with the soap making.

You are awesome and I hope to have as much knowledge as you one day!

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Pamper Pantry
www.pamperpantry.com
sales@pamperpantry.com

You're welcome.

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

What are the advantages of the soap NOT gelling? To prevent gel, does the mold go right into the fridge or freezer? For how long?

I prefer not to gel. Colors and fragrances tend to morphs less. I also like how the soap looks and feels. I usually put my soap in the fridge or the freezer. Sometimes the soap sits in the freezer overnight.

It does take longer for the soap to completely saponify. That's not a problem for me, since all my soaps cure for at least 6 weeks.

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

I had done heaps of research about soap making (read about it for at least a month before I jumped in) and had not seen a single thing about gelling!

After making 3 batches I start hearing all this about insulating, gel stage etc. I thought EEEEK!! Will my soap not work. but it's fine. I do want to experiment with what happens if it does or does not gel since I'm not sure exactly what my soaps have done thus far!

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~Jola

If I use individual molds, how long before it's safe to unmold the soap if it hasn't saponified? So far I have only done CPOP, so the soap doesn't zap after being in the oven overnight. I unmold within 24 hours.

If you're using individual molds and they don't gel, wait at least overnight before taking them out of the mold. If you can wait 24 hours, even better.

If they are difficult to take out, put the mold in the freezer for an hour or two. They should pop right out.

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