Teach Soap

Hello all! I've been lurking here for a few months and taking in as much of the wonderful advice as I possibly can. I have tried to search for more info on this topic (unfortunately the search function tells me that I cannot search at this time and to try again), but I am curious as to what the pros and cons may be with HP versus CP.
For those that soap using the HP method, do you use a Crock Pot? Does this method get hot enough to be concerned about flash points when adding EOs and FOs?
Any information you can pass along is greatly appreciated.
Jen

Yes, you can use a crock pot for HP soap. It's best to add any fragrance or essential oil after it's cooked. Scents will a lower flash point tend to evaporate off, leaving you with less scent.

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

Hi jmmonroe & welcome!
I think HP vs CP is mostly a matter of personal preference, much like gelling or not gelling your soap. I prefer the texture of CP and also like to gel my soap. Soap made by HP still requires 4 weeks to cure so I don't know that there are any real advantages, except maybe less morph from your fragrances & colors since they can be added after the lye is no longer active.

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

I do both. I love the ability to pour, swirl, pipe, and layer CP. I also love to do HP batches for the texture, and the ability to control the super fat after the cook. There are also a couple scent's out there that accelerate trace too quickly to work with, so I will HP those as well cause I can't give up the scent
It's really a matter of preference. There are some fragrances I won't HP with because of the low flashpoint. I have to make sure I have my flash points labled on ALL my FOs and EOs.

I use my crock pot for 3-5 pound batches, I don't really do batches much bigger than that in HP, because I personaly like as much time to work with the soap as possible.

I agree with ljm1180 on the curing. A lot of people use their HP batches right away, and you can, but it's still best to cure the bars to get as much moisture out as possible. I don't like soft bars, so I'm a stickler on that. The only HP recipe I don't cure is laundery soap cause it's gonna get grated up and mixed with washing soda anyway.

Whether CP or HP it really is best to let either cure for four weeks. HP is ok to use right away, but if you wait, more water will evaporate, leaving you with a harder bar that will last longer in the shower.

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

Thanks for the replies.

I was actually considering HP because I simply don't have the space to cure for 4 weeks. I do have a large closet with built in shelving that may work, but there is no air circulation. Would this be a big problem for the soap?

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