Teach Soap

Hi my name is bev and I am totally new to making cold process soap, I tried my first batch I think I screwed it up, I will be honest I was extremely nervous about the new adventure. I had never used a stick blender before either, when I was mixing the oils and the lye water together I thought I was doing great, I thought wow I have it to the trace stage, next thing I know my mix resembled thick pudding that I had to use a spatula to get it in the mold . Then there were a few spots that looked like they didn't mix, can someone please help me and tell me what I did wrong?

Thank you,
Bev

Ha! Welcome to the world of soaping!! Your soap thickening could just be inexperience. Or it could be the fragrance oil accelerating the trace. Having to glop the soap into the mold happens to everyone. Just be sure to rap the mold on the table to smooth it out as best you can. You have come to the right forum to learn. You can't get real upset when things don't go as you planned since that is just about the normal for soaping. You have to have a plan B. Just keep melting those oils and it will fall into place as you read the forum and practice.

Thank you, My fiance' said I am a very determined person and not a quitter, my theory is I have all winter for trial and error, if nothing else I can say I gave it my best shot right? I am going to learn to do this that is my ultimate goal. Can I ask you something? When you use that stick blender do you put it at the very bottom of the container or not? When I did boy did it have some suction I didn't think I was going to get it to let go, then I realized hey dummy turn it off .

Thank you,
Bev

When you use the stick blender put it all the way down to the bottom, angle it slightly and tap it a few times on the bottom of the mixing pot. This will "burp" the stick blender and help with bubbles somewhat. When you turn it on, keep it angled. That will help with the suction. As for whether you made the batch wrong or right isn't a big deal on your first batch. Getting that first one under your belt helps with the understanding of the whole process. It's quite satisfying no matter how that first batch turns out! My first batch was dry and crumbly because I used a recipe off the internet and didn't even know about the soap calculators! Now they come out SOOOO nice because I run each recipe through the calculator.
Congrats on your first batch and good luck with the future ones! Also, welcome to the forum and as they say on here, your new addiction.

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Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

Hi Bev! Welcome and congrats on your first batch!

Soapmaking is definitely a learning experience! I don't think you did anything wrong, some recipes will trace faster than others and soaping too cool or too warm can also affect trace. I stop stick blending as soon as my oils and lye water look emulsifed and then just stir with the blender. If the oils look like they are separating, then I give a short burst with the stick blender and check again. I usually pour at medium trace, unless I'm doing swirls.

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

Welcome!
Lots of good info on this forum.

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

Hi Bev and welcome... I'm new at soaping too... I'm a nurse from Indiana looking to start soaping... I'm going to make lye soap, make my own lye from wood ash and such... I'm getting my oil suppliers in line and looking into organizing my storage. I have alot of questions too!

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Stephanie