Teach Soap

Has anyone ever used cocoa as a colorant? The stuff I have for baking has one other ingredient in it, shouldn't soap cocoa be only cocoao? Perhaps I should visit my local health food store. I have tried to find powdered goats milk to put in it...no luck so far where I live

Also wonder if anyone can tell me how an 'overheated' batch works. If its only slightly cracked on top, is it still ok for selling? If it really overheats, does that make something wrong with the soap? On the bright side, my batch poured today totally gelled...I think:)

Final question, I plan on using a FO that I know has cinnamon in it. Would it be beneficial to put it in the freezer or fridge after pouring! Or should I just wait it out without insulating it and see what happens. I really wasn't expecting the slight overheat that I got today with my FO batch and I am pretty sure there wasn't anything heating about it. When I noticed it I took the towel and plastic off it and watched it closely...think it will be ok!

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Yup, use it to make brown.

I wouldn't sell an overheated batch personally.

And be careful with Cinnamon as it's a skin irritant.

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

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Depends on the level that it overheats at. But generally overheated batches separate to some degree. Personally I would never sell any soap that wasn't as it's meant to be. Personal use fine, but when you're selling it to a customer, you want to make sure you're only selling your best soaps. It's not just about money.

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

I would not sell a overheated batch either. I am not willing to take the chance.

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

Would anything else cause a crack on the top, this batch had a raised middle...like marshmallows down the middle but not that big of course:)

The crack is almost gone now its cooled down.

How much cocoa is normal used as a colorant? How pure should it be?

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Usually a crack is from overheating. I also won't sell an overheated soap so I'm very careful to try and keep it from happening. Cocoa powder is nice because the color you see when you add it is the color it will be when the soap is finished. I start with about 1/4 tsp PPO ans add more if I need it. Just use Hershey's or whatever your store sells that is unsweetened cocoa powder.

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

Can one of you please tell me why you won't sell an overheated batch? The one I just made had a slight crack but now its cut I can't see the crack at all so I wonder why I wouldn't be able to sell it?

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Dawn

As I posted above - an overheated batch seperates, you can get pockets of oil, etc.

Here's an example of a batch I cut into thinking it was fine, only to find it overheated in the middle:

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

Here is my soap...that I think overheated a tiny bit,it had a small crack in the top but I can't see it now its cut!

Am I missing something???

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www.fostersfields.ca
https://www.facebook.com/FostersFields

If it was just a small crack at the top, it might be ok.

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

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Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts

I noticed the little crack 1/2 hour or so after making it when I peeked in on it...I know it got warm and I was sure it was gelling but it doesn't look gelled either...however I paniced and took the towel and plastic off to stop whatever it was doing.

My big problem with this soap is my colors didn't turn out like I has planned. Not that the back soap can be seen real good in that pic, but I used the same purple oxide and it sooo did not turn out the same...norf did my pink oxide. I think next time I will add TD before the oxides...thoughts:)

So much soaping...still so much to learn!!!!

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www.fostersfields.ca
https://www.facebook.com/FostersFields

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Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts