Teach Soap

A few questions as I consider ingredients:
1. I used Rice Bran Oil for the first time in CP last night. All went well! It is cheaper than Olive Oil right now, so I'm considering switching. Is there any noticeable difference in soap that is made with one rather than the other (same recipe)?

2. When using Cocoa Butter in CP, does the scent come through? On the Soaper's Choice website, they offer Cocoa Butter Deodorized, Cocoa Butter Organic, and Cocoa Butter Prime Pressed Golden (this last one also says "Food Grade").

3. Can someone remind me why some ingredients are labeled "Food Grade" and how they differ from those NOT labeled food grade? (I think we've discussed this before, but I have forgotten the answer!).

4. One last one.....I didn't care for the quality of the shea butter I purchased from Soaper's Choice, so before I consider ordering from them again, does anyone have any experience with cocoa butter from them?

Thanks!

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

When olive oil prices went through the roof, I subbed half of rice bran for half of my olive oil. I didn't care how the soap felt, so I went back to olive.
The scent of cocoa butter does not come through.
Food grade is processed differently then cosmetic grade. Cosmetic grade can have other additives like other oils that are not the same as the original oil.
I no longer use shea butter, but when I did, it came grainy.

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

Carrie, I made a RB soap awhile back & added some caster oil....I didn't care for the feel to begin with but after curing for a longer time, I find it pretty nice. I will make more, just have to give it a longer cure time I think.

Thanks, Irena & Shirlee, for your input. I guess I will use up the Rice Bran Oil I have and stick with Olive Oil instead.
Also, thank you for the refresher of food grade vs. cosmetic grade (I had forgotten that word!).
I've found a good supplier for my shea, and want to make sure that if I order cocoa it will be a good quality without breaking the bank .

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

I purchased a few bottles of rice bran oil which I intended to use but after some research I found out that it may contribute to DOS. I don't know if it's true or not since I don't yet have experience with the oil. Can someone let me know if it's true or not. I think it has to do with the relatively short shelf life.

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

Rice bran oil shelf life is about 6 months. I bought 20 lbs. (what was I thinking???) and it went bad before it all got used up.

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

I suspect a good portion of my neem oil will meet the same fate Irena. Can't imagine why.... *gag* I do worry about my oils and their shelf life, and how the ungodly temperature in this house will affect them. At least my workshop is the coolest room in the house!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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

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

I've been reading a lot about RBO and almost everything I've seen says 6 months? Maybe it just depends on the supplier.

I've used RBO in most of my soaps so far and I really like it. I just gotta make sure it all gets used up in a hurry.

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

Why RBO? High oleic sunflower has nearly the same profile as olive oil and would be a better choice IMO.

I use RB at about 20%, also plenty of Olive etc, of the top 5 recipes testers preferred, 3 of them had RB in. Haven't had a problem with DOS *touch wood* Also told/read 12 months.

As far as high oleic sunflower, good luck finding any here! I have looked & looked & looked....! RB is an easily available alternative in NZ (Aussie too I suspect)