Teach Soap

I did a 2:1 water/lye solution with my soap batch today and am wondering if I should be prepared to cut this soap tonight (used almost 40% OO for this batch if that makes a difference).

The last time I did 2:1 was for the mariner's batch (100% CO) so I knew that one would set up really fast as other soapers had advised. My castile did too (1.5:1).

So just wondering if I leave this batch too long it will be really hard to cut (Poured this batch at about 12-1230 today so if I leave it until the morning it will have sit 18hours).

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

It will harden faster. I would cut it as soon as it's hard enough. It depends on your recipe and whether or not you gel.

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

It definitely gelled (put lid on/wooden mold/seemed fairly hot for an hour or two when I touched it). The molds are cooling off quite a bit now. The little "cupcake" soap I made with leftover batter was already firm enough to pop out of the silicone (that one obviously didn't gel).

Karri

_________________
I soap therefore I am.

I would cut it as soon as it has cooled all the way through.

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

Thanks Irena!

Do you think I should unmold it right away so I can see? Hard to know I guess. Always a fine line between cutting too soon (mucky looking soap) and waiting too long (concrete block of soap).

Karri

_________________
I soap therefore I am.

I would unmold it as soon as it has cooled off. Is the texture like butter? (too soft to cut) or more like cheddar cheese? (safe to cut)

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

Well the "cupcake" is definitely firm like cheese and it popped right out. But I'm not sure about the soap in the molds. I'm scared to "disturb" it/take the lid off (already peeked once earlier today). LOL. The gel phase would def. be over by now right? (approx 9.5-10hrs since pouring). That's the only part I'm concerned about if I unmold too early: partial gel. (Hate partial gel)

Karri

_________________
I soap therefore I am.

If it's in a wooden mold and is well insulated it should gel all the way to the corners by now. Does it feel warm, lukewarm or hot? How easy can you dent the top with your finger?

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

Okay I stopped being a chicken and took the lids off. LOL. (Felt more confident once you said they should be gelled all the way through by now). The only insulation was the wooden lid but that has seemed to be enough for most soaps.

It's definitely very FIRM so maybe I'd better unmold and check it out!

Karri

_________________
I soap therefore I am.

OMG I'm so glad I cut these tonight. The texture is perfect! A wee bit soft but still perfect!

THANKS for the awesome soap coaching Irena

Heading over to the other thread to post some pics!!
Karri

_________________
I soap therefore I am.

You're welcome! Glad they came out well for you.

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