Teach Soap

where do i get beef tallow and what do i do with it before i use it in soap?

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JILLY

try the meat dept at your grocery store or at a meat processor, which is where I purchased mine. You'll have to render the beef fat to make tallow, here's how I do mine (I usually have to render it twice): http://sodaksoaper.blogspot.com/2011/05 ... allow.html

you can also buy tallow in bulk from Soaper's Choice

If you get rendered tallow, you won't need to do anything to it. Just use it like you would any other solid oil (after checking your recipe in a soap calculator, of course!)

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

If you are going to render your own, might I suggest purchasing "butter muslin" instead of cheese cloth? That stuff from the grocery store they call cheese cloth is okay for crafting...but go through a cheese making supply company and invest in the muslin...it's lovely wonderful stuff and gives you much cleaner strain on things with many other uses as well, totally reusable and all that too

Like that one in the link - cheep and filters much better than the stuff you usually see in the stores:

http://hoeggerfarmyard.com/xcart/Cheesecloth.html

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Making soap one loaf at a time - it's better than bread 'cause soap doesn't have calories!

If you decide to use tallow, make sure that you heat it gently till just about all is melted, take off heat, then stir the rest of the way. In higher temps, the tallow can take on a strong smell.

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

Ditto for what Soapbuddy said. I also add about a teaspoon of baking soda for each pound of fat that I am rendering, and that seems to help keep smells away.

Exactly! Just yesterday a man was complaining about some shaving soap he bought that worked fine but smelled like meat fat.

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

will the beef tallow stink even after made into soap? can i make goat milk soap with beef tallow?

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JILLY

You can use tallow for GM soap. Just be aware that tallow usually has a higher melting point than other oils and if you soap too cool it may start solidifying and you might get false trace.

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

good point Linda! now, what's the best fo scent that goes best with beef?

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JILLY

omg! ive been simmering this beef fat for 4 hours. ive got 4lbs and its taking forever! my kids are asking me if im cooking rotten eggs and is this is what's for dinner.

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JILLY

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