Teach Soap

Okay - I think I have a failed batch for sure!! I really messed up in mixing my pigment. I used 2 oz water with almost 1/4 tsp ultramarine blue, discounted my lye water by 2 oz. My mistake was in deciding to divide up my batter, mixing only half with the color and swirling it with the rest. Afterwards I realized that the colored batter was much more watery than the rest and I just hoped that it would need longer drying out before unmolding. I haven't unmolded my wooden mold yet (and now am afraid to!). This portion was poured into a plastic tube after 48 hours I put it in the freezer to unmold it and ended up needing to cut the plastic away. As I cut the bars I found this weird crystalline-like spot I've never seen before.

http://s1165.photobucket.com/albums/q58 ... AG0204.jpg

Is this a lye pocket? Is it completely failed and unsafe? What do you all think?
Thanks!
Sherri

It could be. Did you check for zap?

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

It could be. Sounds like you didn't reach true trace.

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

I think it traced, after I added the chai tea FO it accelerated really fast I had to glop it into the moldsinstead of pouring. It seems to be seeping water or oil also even my wooden mold ones!

Here is one out of my wood mold.

http://s1165.photobucket.com/albums/q58 ... AG0205.jpg

When I dissolved the lye in the water I had to wait for my oils to melt. Could some of the lye have settled to the bottom of the water even after being dissolved? Then when I poured it into the oils perhaps the last bit was lye heavy and formed these pockets? I may have forgotten to stir the lye water before pouring it in.

-Sherri

When you add your lye to the water, keep stirring til the water clears. That way you're sure all the lye has dissolved.

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

Yes, I did do that!! The water was clear, I made sure!
Sherri

Do you think this can be saved by rebatching? Should I chop it all up and cook it in the crock pot? Would those crystally spots dissolve? I've never had to rebatch before!
-Sherri

Chop it up with gloves on and put it into either a crock pot or in the oven. Mix occasionally til it looks like mashed potatoes or applesauce. Take a small piece out, let cool, then check for zap.

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

Thanks, I think I will do that but it will have to wait till next week ! It doesn't seem to be zapping me now but I don't trust it at all!
I'll post a rebatched picture!
Sherri

Yay!! I think I saved this batch successfully!! After chopping it into little bits and cooking in my crock pot on low for several hours, I added a bit of green oxide to try to pretty-up the color a bit and put it into a silicone loaf mold. Today I unmolded and cut it and am pleased with how it turned out. I am not sure what the white spots are but think it is okay as there is no zap! I think they are just from scraping the sides of the pot!?


http://s1165.photobucket.com/albums/q58 ... AG0208.jpg

http://s1165.photobucket.com/albums/q58 ... AG0209.jpg

-Sherri

Looks like you saved it!

Great save! The white spots do look like dried bits from the side of the pot, nothing to worry about!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist