Teach Soap

It seems like my not-gelled soap is going through a partial gel when put in the refrigerator. A non soaper probably wouldn't notice it or think you did it on purpose BUT a soaper would pick it up right away. I have been leaving it in the frig about 24 hours then can't stand it anylonger and pull it out

I have had a few lately with the same issue. I am starting to learn which of my soaps will do this: milk, floral or spice fragrances. The last milk one did it because it took me longer to work with because I fussed with the top. For some I skip the fridge and use the freezer to cool faster. The biggest issue I have with this is making room in that darn freezer.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

I have never used milk. My FO has been kind of floraly. I might be able to get my 3 pound loaf in the freezer so maybe I will try that.

I made a batch yesterday and didn't gel just to see what would happen. I really didn't care for the way it turned out. I had one place that went though a partial gel and it looks completely different from the rest of the soap, which is a nice pretty white. Not to mention that it's still sticky feeling. Now that I know, I'm going to keep doing CPOP.

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

If you know that you will get a partial gel in the fridge, put it in the freezer. Overnight is safe to do.

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

I never have any room in my freezers because of all the produce I put up from my garden...I don't think my hubby would let me get a freezer just for soap.

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

I am making a batch right now and I will put it in the freezer overnight. I love the way it comes out.

Here is my thought on the subject: No gelling unless:
1. I have a fragrance (like my peppermint oil) that just will not behave, even before I can get it into a mold.

2. I am choosing to do layers and want to make them stick.

These two times I would gel. Does anyone have other times they find gelling helpful?

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

I have never put any of my soap into the fridge, freezer or oven. Just cover with towels and let sit. My colors are always even in my soaps...maybe I have just been lucky? What r the advantages of putting them into the fridge or freezer?

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Melissa

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

Soapbuddy, do you soap at a lower temp because you don't gel?

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

luvsoap26 wrote:
What r the advantages of putting them into the fridge or freezer?

The color is lighter, the fragrances morph less and you can use less FO since the top notes won't evaporate.

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Ok, thanks!
I work with room temp oils and my lye solution around 100 degrees. This is how the first book I read said to do it and it worked great so I have just continued this way. But what I have read from AM says to use the lye solution around 140 degrees...y such a big difference in temps?

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Melissa

That's a good idea, Mella. I do have room in our extra fridge, just not the freezer portion! I suppose that I'll try a few more batches and put them in the fridge right after I pour and see what happens. Who knows, I may even be converted to not gelling at all.

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

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