can I stall gel with a wood mold?

jenneelk · Jul 20, 2013

I'm doing a coconut oil soap and want the creamy white but the mold I need to use is wood and items measured out and cooling already. Didn't think ahead about the 'gel' aspect.

Think I'll end up with partial gel? It's just lined with wax paper and no silicone. But a think wood from WSP or BB (can't recall which.)

Obsidian · Jul 20, 2013

I use wood and stop gel. put the wood mold in the freezer so its cool when you pour then put the filled mold back in the freezer for 24 hours.

sistrum · Jul 20, 2013

Gelling or not will not effect the color of coconut oil soap, it will still be white. And in my opinion will make a much better soap. To avoid partial gel wrap it up good or use the oven to help force it. Cpop.

Hazel · Jul 20, 2013

I would put a wood mold in the frig to get cold and soaped at room temp to prevent gelling. Of course, this was before I switched to silicone; although, I also chill the silicone mold. If you've already gotten the batch poured, you can put it in the freezer for awhile. I think someone mentioned she'd put the batch in the freezer for a couple of hours and then put it in the frig. I just put mine in the frig.

Are you using an FO? There are some FOs that increase the heat and you'll still.get partial gel. I had this happen with a Gardenia FO.

BTW, wax paper isn't the best for lining molds because it can adhere to the soap. I recommend freezer paper or even parchment paper for lining.

jenneelk · Jul 20, 2013

I used to use parchment and it would stick so read about wax and decides to try it this time. Hope it comes out ok!

It started to set up a bit so I just went ahead and did CPOP because I was nervous about
Partial gel with a bigger thicker loaf.

It's 4lbs.
90% CO with 17% superfat.
No FO.. Just peppermint and basil EO and colored slightly with paprika and cumin I infused in sunflower.

Moody Glenn · Jul 20, 2013

Hi! I use freezer paper for lining my wood molds. I also allow my soap to fully gel using a nursery heating mat and cover with a couple towels. I do not have room in the freezer to stop gel so I let nature do her thing. If the soap wants to gel I help it along as much as possible. ;-)

funastrum · Jul 20, 2013

I am not a seasoned soaper, but I have had 2 batches (I am on my 4th ever), that are completely non-gelled using the fridge immediately after pouring the soap. I have an old Kelvinator fridge from the 40's that gets really cold, so I don't even have to use the freezer.

My mold is also wood and I don't even have to chill it beforehand.

jenneelk · Jul 20, 2013

Oh what a problem I had getting it out! The wax paper melted to the wood I think. :/
I had to pry like crazy sticking a butter knife all around it to get it unstuck.
Looks ok overall after pulling bits if shredded wax paper off, but I'll never do that again!
Another learning experience!

Smells amazing though!

Hazel · Jul 20, 2013

Yup! That's what happened to me the one and only time I used wax paper. It just shredded as I tried to peel it off the soap and I ended up using a knife to trim the sides. This is why I suggest people don't use it.

jenneelk · Jul 20, 2013

My mold is all messed up now and looks like it's wet (but isn't)... guessing it's wax? Can I wash it you think?

kazmi · Jul 20, 2013

You may not ever get the wax completely off. If the wax is heavy, you can try to slightly heat your mold up again and scrape it off while it's warm but don't overheat it or you could risk warping the wood. Not doing anything with it may not be an issue either though unless you cpop with it.

jenneelk · Jul 20, 2013

I actually do CPOP with it the few times I've used it but mostly because I worry of partial gel with it.

I don't really like gel, wish these didn't have it and the shiney look, but seems there aren't molds of silicone for 4+ pds?

I'm going to try scraping and see what happens. It's all stained dark now and looks awful.

Nightlilly · Jul 20, 2013

Try taking the empty mold and one side at a time, lay some paper towel inside then iron over the paper towel. The iron should heat the wax up then the paper towel will absorb most of it. If the inside cavity is too small for an iron, maybe line it with paper towel, fill with dry beans and pop in the oven? The point is if you can get that wax heated up the paper towel should absorb most of it.

tryanything · Jul 21, 2013

I had the same thing happen to my wood mold when I used wax paper. I think it may have even warped a bit - go figure. I see it mostly as cosmetic, other than the warping, and just use parchment paper now to line it with (I never could find freezer paper in the last place I lived. Found some in Ohio though). Honestly I've moved on to different molds though. One day I'll probably get a new wood mold but I'm happy with what I'm using now.

can I stall gel with a wood mold?

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