Teach Soap

Hello all
I 've been having problems with my last batches of soap, they are over heating when trying to go to gel stage and I end up rebatching them because of the pockets of oil all over, the first time it happend to a batch that had coconut milk in it, and I soaped too high may be at 125, I had to rebatch it and I saved it, so I decided that the next batch will soap at 110, well that's what I did last night, 110 degrees but this time wasn't coconut milk, it was beer and I added two tsps of honey to the oils, I poured at light trace and the temperature didn't feel too hot, I just covered my wooden mold with a towel and it was barely warm, then I added a few more towels and in 15 minutes I could see the gel in the center but also liquid oil, it separated, so I took it out of the mold and started stirring it, it was looking like hot process, I put it back in the mold, covered it with the towels again and left it like that overnight, this morning I unmolded it and cut it, it is soft but It looks like it is going to be okay, does any body have any ideas or advice, I like to gel because I don't get as much ash, (some times I get none) and when I don't gel is for sure that I will get bad ash, should I leave the mold with out insulation, I was affraid that the soap wouldn't gel all the way and have the round marks of partial gel, so the only reason that I gel is because of the ash situation, I have tried spraying the alcohol on top but it doesn't work for me, so any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

I would try soaping without the honey. It can make the soap overheat. You should be fine covering it just lightly with a towel. As soon as the soap is in full gel, take the towel off. Try putting a piece of wax paper over the top of the soap and leave it there til it's time to cut.

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

Thank you soapbuddy for your prompt response!, I just added the honey because the recipe called for beer, honey and eggs, but I will leave the honey out next time will just use beer, I just smelled them and smell very good, I'm glad a I was able to save this batch, I had some expensive oils in it too. I was wondering if the ash problem when I don't gel is because of the paper I'm using to line my mold, it is parchment paper, do you think that could be the problem too?

I think parchment paper should be fine. Have you ever though to add some beeswax to your recipe? I noticed when I use beeswax, I don't get ash.

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

Hi soapbuddy, yes I have tried adding beeswax to two batches of soap before, one I left me with some little yellow spots in the soap, (it was unrefined yellow beeswax) the other batch seems to be fine, so from now on I will use the beeswax, will one tsp be enough for 30 oz of oils?

I wouldn't go by teaspoons. Recalculate your recipe to add 1% beeswax. Make sure all your oils, butters and beeswax are all melted. Then you can let it cool off to about 110.

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

I did it soapbuddy!! Made a batch last night, added the melted beeswax to the oils, I waited for them to cool down to 110, the beeswax solidified but it is white beeswax,so I won't get the yellow dots, I had my wooden mold in the freezer and after I poured the soap in the mold I stuck it in the freezer,I will unmold this evening, will let you know how they look, thank you for your advice!

You need to melt the beeswax WITH the oils, not separate. When you add melted beeswax to room temp oils, the beeswax will start to solidify. Now I see what your problem was. That's why you're getting the grains.

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

I didn't get grains this time, but the soap gelled in the middle, I tried cutting it last night, it was too soft so I decided to wait to cut the rest of the loaf, it is already showing me the circle in the middle where it gelled, not looking pretty

Sounds like you go a partial gel. If it's still in the mold and the mold is oven safe, turn your oven to 170 (US) and leave it in there til you get a full gel. Keep an eye on it and as soon as it's in full gel, take it out and let it cool off. Then you should be able to cut it.

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

Thank you soapbuddy for walking me through this batch, the soap did get ash, I ended up putting it in the oven like you recommended and it went to full gel, I will just have to wash the ash because there is still some on the sides, I really appreciate your help.

I'm glad to hear it worked out for you. If the ash isn't too deep, spritz it with alcohol and wipe it off.

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