Teach Soap

Hi there! I have a question.... I use The Sage's lye calculator and I was wondering about something. What's the difference between the water amounts? Like it will say something like "use 500 milliliters to 834 milliliters". What happens if I use the higher amount verses the lower amount? Also, I use hot process (don't know if that makes a difference).

The water range just illustrates the minimum and maximum water you should use for the recipe. Less water means a shorter cure time, but it also can mean a quicker trace, and if you're wanting to swirl, or use a scent that you know accelerates trace, your soap can start to set up before you're done. More water means the opposite, naturally!

From what I understand of HP, I think the water should affect it the same way as CP, but someone else probably knows from experience...

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CP newbie who's turning into a soaping addict!

Okay thanks! I just was a little confused because of the huge difference in amounts! But what you said makes sense

Some of the other lye calculators (like soapcalc.net) allow you to choose a water % or a lye to water ratio instead of giving a range. I use soapcalc and generally use about 33% water.

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

For pure Castile (100% olive only) soap, go with the lower range. If you have a finicky EO or FO, go with the uppermost range.

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