Teach Soap

Hey all
I am new to making soap and got into it as a way to get rid of excess from when I butcher.
It really all started when people I know stopped taking the lard I offered for the taking(some wierd thing about health and stuff) I couldn't use all of it myself and it all started to amount to a freezer full, then one day sitting at the plant I got to thinking and come up with making soap out of it, so I did some quick checking and found I could get caustic soda for about 2 bucks a pound and I had plenty of lard that I have rended so then I just got to digging little more and figured that olive oil(have that in the kitchen) and some coconut oil(remember see a gallon of it in the garage that I got at auction in a box of stuff) was a good thing also, and well a box is good and i have plenty of them around so all in all my start up was do-able and a week ago it happened.
I am a Stationary Engineer by trade but also enjoy Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, Reloading, Quilting on my Singer 127 and 29-4 both treadle machines, BBq, Traveling, Welding and Fabrication, Gardening and canning up the garden or dehydrating it, and have a passion for restoring old equipment and or tools.
Yeah I am a busy man but I am single and no kids so I have time.
I read that a dehumidifer will shorten cure time by a week in a closet..has anyone tried a dehydrater?? I have an Excalibur.

Welcome!
A dehumidifier helps if you live where it's damp or humid. A dehydrator won't help you as it will melt the soap.

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

Welcome....you are a busy man....

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Deb.....


If you blow in a dogs face he gets mad....take him for a car ride ..and he sticks his head out the window....

Welcome. I'm tired just reading all you do.....LOL

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Diana
Butter Babies Soap
bbsoap.com

Here is something for your to read regarding caustic from ashes. My mom & grandma did this and to gauge the strength they used an egg. http://www.lifeunplugged.net/everything ... d-ash.aspx
It's still a pretty primitive method though and you won't know the exact lye strength.

My dehydrator had a "low" gauge, so I don't know what the actual temp was, but it made my soap very soft and easily dented by a light touch of the finger.

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

Well I made it there and back with no arrests and or convictions but did run into some folks selling soap at the flea market down on decater st.

Hi, Boilerman,

Glad you made it to New Orleans and back with no run-ins with the law.

I was in New Orleans at the end of February and found this big beautiful bar of cold-process eucalyptus soap at the French Market down by the river:


I've got tons of my own soap laying around, but I had to buy it. I love trying other people's soap!

Anyway, just wanted to share! And welcome to the forum!

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- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
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